At Least…

It’s only been a week since my last post and I feel like it’s been months with all the changes that have happened within that week…the latest being a “stay at home” order in Minnesota. And as I scroll through my Facebook and Instagram feeds, it’s nearly impossible not to get sucked into a coronavirus rabbit hole. Reading negative headline after negative headline just makes me feel down about the state of the world and anxious about the uncertainty of the future…the uncertainty of tomorrow even!

But today I saw this on my Insta feed from Twin Cities Mom Collective:

And it pulled me out of the headspace of worry and negativity and into thoughts of gratitude for everything…big and small.

At least I have enough food to eat.
At least I have enough money to afford food and other essentials.
At least I have a car to go buy said food and other essentials.
At least I have a job and coworkers I love working with.
At least I have Netflix and Disney+.
At least I have electricity and running water.
At least I have toilet paper.
At least I have my health.
At least I have a healthy family.
At least I have enough loungewear to wear to work these days.
At least I have a phone to stay connected to family and friends.
At least I have a puzzle to do.
At least I have books to read.
At least I have awesome neighbors whom I also call my friends.
At least I have Audra (our daycare provider).
At least I have everything I could ever need.

When I start to think about all the things I’m grateful for, I start to focus on the good. My family is safe. Warm weather is around the corner (hopefully!). Schedules are less hectic (or nonexistent!). More free time to enjoy the outdoors. Nature gets a chance to breathe. Jesus is with me. And…that there’s a Bible verse for that:

“Fill your minds and meditate on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious, the BEST, not the worst, the BEAUTIFUL, not the ugly, things to PRAISE, not things to curse. The God who makes everything work together will work you into His most excellent harmonies.” Philippians 4:8-9

I hope you take a moment to come out of the fog that’s become the new normal with kiddos home, trying to work full time, and holding it together…and focus on the BEST and BEAUTIFUL today and every day.