My mom always said “this too shall pass.” And while I was never appreciative of the sentiment as a child, I see her wisdom in it now. She also used to always say “Bloom where you are planted.” Another glimpse into the mindset of being thankful for where you are, even if it’s not where you want to be.
This past year has been difficult for my family. We are struggling financially like many of us one-income families. I’ve been a stay at home homeschool mama for 25 years only to have to return to work this year to put food on the table. Then my husband was called away to a new duty station two states away, after being told he would not be moving. And now there’s a looming deployment in his future.
To top it off, my husband was in an accident that totaled our Excursion, a vehicle responsible for pulling our camper, his current home. While these struggles have affected every member of our family, I have to find the things I”m grateful for to make this season the best it can be.
I don’t tell you all my woes so that you will feel pity on us. I know there are so many of us facing the same challenges and many facing much worse. I want you to know that I see you, mama. It’s hard being the one responsible for the atmosphere at home, when your heart is in turmoil. It’s hard to put that smile on your face, when you’re crying inside. It’s hard to teach your little ones to count their blessings, when you are having a hard time finding the blessings.
Music for your Soul
Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe,
praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.Psalms 150:1-5
Music is amazing medicine for a hurting soul. If you can’t think of anything nice to say or anything to be thankful for, turn on some uplifting music. I find starting my day with praise music puts us all in a better mood. In the evening, turn on some music and dance! Take time to put some laughter into your life.
Gratitude Journaling
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6
Take some time at the end of each day to think of something you are grateful for that day. Gratitude Journals are a great way to keep a simple list of gratefulness. Present it to God, either through prayer and/or journaling it. Get your kids involved, make it a bedtime routine. It’s ok to be silly too! One time, my boy was thankful for his elbow. Who has ever stopped to be grateful for their elbow?! If you need visual reminders, keep a dry erase board or a poster board with a growing list to look upon during the day.
Once you get into the habit of seeing the little blessings, use it throughout the day. When my boy was being particularly grumpy about everything, I would mention all the little things throughout the day. “Lord, thank you for this great parking spot!” “Thank you Lord for the worms in my garden.” “Thank you for those beautiful sunflowers we saw today!”
Make a New Tradition
Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you.
Deuteronomy 32:7
Sometimes, creating a memorable tradition is a great distraction.
If your family is sad because they lost a loved one, maybe create a family holiday where you cook their loved ones favorite recipes or visit their favorite restaurant or do their favorite hobby.
If your family is struggling financially and you don’t feel like you can afford to do anything fun, create a staycation tradition. Use what you have. Camp outside. Have water gun fights. Have a pillow fight. Grab all the scrap craft supplies and cover the table with them and create into the night. Fill the living room with pillows and have a movie night. These are great ways to practice gratitude when finances are tight.
If your family is separated from family and friends and just feeling lonely, start a yearly tradition to visit these old friends and steady family members. It may have to be a FB video chat party due to cost, but make it special. Eat pizza or host a hot cocoa get together over video chat, share stories and pictures about what you’ve been up to, or do a sing-along together. If you can get together for an annual camping trip, make it happen.
Visual Reminders
I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
Psalms 77:11
When we are really struggling and we don’t feel like we can get our heads above water, sometimes a visual reminder is needed to keep our eyes on Jesus. Create something to daily look at and remember all the blessings we have and all the things the Lord has done for us in the past.
Get the kids involved! We’ve made leaf or pumpkin garlands around Thanksgiving time, everyday we added a few more things to our growing garland to be thankful for. By Thanksgiving our house is covered in thankful reminders.
Maybe you need a list in front of you every morning. Use a wet erase marker to write on your bedroom or bathroom mirror the promises from God. Or maybe find some beautiful scripture art that speaks to your hurting heart.
If thinking about the present is too painful, paint a picture for the future. In the book, Rise, Cara and her kids create a physical representation of their dream home while in the midst of surviving spousal and child abuse. The home was more than the physical building, it was the freedom they dreamed about. This simple craft project fuelled that family and they did build that dream home themselves! Create a picture, painting, replica or diagram of a future goal to keep you moving forward.
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.
Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.
Let those who fear the Lord say, “His steadfast love endures forever.
Psalms 118:1-4
This too shall pass.
Hang onto the hope in Christ Jesus and you will see the sunshine again.
Felicia Johnson is a mother to a photographer, a farrier, a diesel mechanic, and five more growing children, each one unique in their interests and talents. Felicia owns The Tailored Homeschool, helping parents homeschool their children in a way that glorifies God. You can follow her on Instagram and join her private Facebook community
