One Saturday, recently, my kids and I were out and about in our town. We stopped at our local Petsmart because we all love looking at the doggies and kitties that are up for adoption each weekend from our area’s animal shelters. The kids and I spent time at each cage, talking to and petting each dog and cat. Nathan begged me for a dog. “Please, please, please, Mommy. I’ll take care of it myself.” The girls and Scott begged me for a kitten. “Please, please, please, Mommy. Midnight is lonely and needs a friend to play with. He’s sad and lonely when we’re not home.” I’m sure you can see where this is heading…we left the store with a new kitty that we named, Luna. I’m such a sucker… Now we already have one cat, a beautiful Norweigan Forest cat named, Midnight. As you can imagine, we are going through an adjustment period. Luna grew up on the streets as a stray, had 2 kittens and was rescued by the animal shelter people. Midnight, on the other hand, has lived a life of leisure and is spoiled to the max. She’s a tiny, petite little cat and Midnight is a monstrosity compared to her. I’m sure she’s a little frightened by his size and tries to show that she’s tough by growling at him, hissing and arching her back. It’s so funny to watch them interact. Midnight just looks at her with a confused look on his face. It’s like he’s thinking, “What’s your problem, lady? I didn’t do anything to you. Relax!” I’m sure they will be good friends soon.

With the addition of another cat also comes the addition of the amount of food consumed by our little feline family members, as well as the contents of the litter box. Now, I will freely admit, that I loathe cleaning out the litter box. It actually makes my eyes water and my gag reflex go nuts. Therefore, I delegate this task to whichever child is walking by when I notice that it needs cleaned. (I know, I rock as a mother.) Scott, the oldest, is usually a willing candidate for this job. I would have to say he’s become the “unofficial” designated litter box cleaner. But yesterday, I noticed that Lily, the 3rd child in line, was cleaning the litter box, without even being told or asked to. I commented to Lily on how nice it was that she was cleaning the litter box without me even telling her to and how responsible it was, etc. She said she noticed that it was all yucky now since we have two cats and she wanted it to be clean for them. “I don’t mind cleaning it,” she stated. I am SO okay with that, of course. But, what she said to me next is what I can’t get out of my mind. I just have to make it the quote of the week or something! She said, “I like cleaning the litter box, Mommy. It’s like digging for buried treasure!” I seriously laughed my head off when she said that. Leave it to Lily to find something fun and positive in a disgusting, not-so-fun situation.

Don’t you wish you could be more like that? Instead of drudging through the day moping around, dwelling on the negative, thinking about how bad a situation or task is, don’t you wish you could see the bright side of every situation you find yourself in? I want to be more like that! Isn’t it funny how God can teach us His lessons through our children?

Paul says in Philippians 4:11 that no matter what state he finds himself in, he is content. And in I Timothy 6:6 he talks about how godliness WITH contentment is great gain.

Are you finding contentment in your life today? Or are you waiting for your husband to get that new job, for more money to come in, for your children to be grown, or for you to lose that last 10 pounds to “feel” happy and content? Are you finding happiness and peace in your day to day life right now? If you’re not, then it’s time to count your blessings. Count my blessings, you say? Yes. “In everything give thanks.” I Thessalonians 5:18

When you look at what you already have, you realize you’re blessed. When you start thanking God for the house you are blessed to clean, the kids you have the privilege to raise, for the husband God has given you, you begin to see how blessed you truly are. Understanding this brings contentment and happiness in your life.

Instead of complaining about the massive mound of laundry that needs done, praise God for blessing you with an abundance of clothing for your family to wear. I thank God that we have enough clothes that I don’t REALLY need to do laundry for nearly 2 weeks, if I so desire. LOL!!!!

Instead of complaining about how your husband is always working, thank God that your husband has a job in this economy. There are plenty of families suffering financially because there is no work to be found.

Instead of losing your mind daily because your kids are fighting with each other and messing up the house and driving you BANANAS, thank God for these little blessings, these little lives He has given you, entrusted to you. I have been blessed beyond measure in this area! I wasn’t even supposed to be able to have babies, but God blessed me with 3 and a stepson, too! Thank you, Jesus for my sweet children!

Do you catch my drift? Be content no matter where you are in life and give thanks! Give thanks out loud. Speak gratitude. The more you speak it, the more you will feel it. When you feel like complaining, thank God instead.

Now, to go practice what I’m preaching…I thank God for my warm car that I have to drive, to purchase whatever food I need, at a heated, local grocery store, with money my husband has earned at his job, to bring home and cook for the family God has blessed me with, in the kitchen He has provided for me. Praise God, from whom all blessings flow!

Be blessed and have a thankful, content Thanksgiving day!