First World Problems

Have you ever heard the phrase, “First World Problems”? Here are some examples….

My husband and I would have conversations that go a little something like this…

ME: Ugh, the internet is so slow!

HUSBAND: First world problems.

Or I would see Facebook statuses that go a little something like this…

“So bummed. My Starbucks isn’t selling the Pumpkin Spice Latte yet!!!!”

At the time these situations were funny and another status on Facebook to read. Let’s be honest, these weren’t problems, just something to complain about. I am sure there have been other petty “problems” I have complained about, but the worse part of it is that it came out without a second thought.

I am ashamed. I don’t need fast internet to live.  I am blessed to have internet to keep me connected with family and friends, to look up baby food recipes, and share on this very blog. Quite frankly, these problems that I face, are not problems at all. The world will go on with slow internet and the pumpkin spice latte will make it to your Starbucks soon enough.

 I am by no means trying to condemn or judge anyone. I just want to get back to what it means to have a heart of gratitude. We have so much to be thankful for and we are on a daily basis, but when little complaints creep into our lives we slowly start to lose sight of gratitude and instead of dwelling on what God’s grace has provided for us, we become complacent to what really matters. We can be thankful but we need to be aware of it. We can praise God for all He’s done but we just can’t go through the motions. When we do this, it shows what really matters in our lives, and it’s not God. It’s everything but Him.

Friends, can I invite you to make a return with me? A return to living off of God’s grace? To have heart of gratitude? My husband and I used to think of 3 blessings every night before bed and share them with each other and praise God. We had to choose 3 things, even if we had a bad day, because every day has God’s grace in it. This is by no means an excuse, but life got busy, we moved and our night time ritual was pushed aside. I challenge myself and you to take time each day to glorify God and praise Him. For me, doing this means getting back into what my husband and I started by praying, finding 3 blessings that don’t repeat day after day, and praising Him. I don’t want another day to go by where I am not wholeheartedly praising the Lord.

This will sound cliché but I have a roof over my head, food in my belly, good health, a son and a husband that love me, and the most loving God. I AM BLESSED.

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Colossians 3:17

What will this look like to you?

Will you join me?

Blessings,

Testament Tuesday: Patience

PHOTO SOURCE 

         

Genesis 29:20
So Jacob worked for Laban seven years so he could marry Rachel. But they seemed like just a few days to him because he loved Rachel very much.

Do you know the story of Jacob and Rachel? Jacob went to Rachel's father and asked for her hand in marriage. Her father said that Jacob must work for him for seven years before he could marry her. Once the seven years were over, Rachel's father tricked Jacob and gave him Rachel's sister to marry. Jacob was upset but promised to work another seven years for Rachel. Is that not the epitome of true love and patience?! Jacob had great faith and trust in God to be able to wait patiently for 14 years to be with the woman he loved.

These days patience is unheard of. We are a "right now" society. "2 minutes to microwave something? Are you joking?" "Ugh. This page has been loading for like 30 seconds!" For me, it's commercials. They take forever!

So it's completely understandable that your jaw dropped when you heard Jacob waited 14 years for something, even if it was the love of his life. We forget that we're on God's schedule. And that's a wonderful thing! Do you know what kind of mess we'd be in if we controlled when things happen? I can't even fathom!

It's hard to just sit still and let God move. I'm a doer. I get things done. So when there's a problem, I'm ready to jump in and handle everything myself. But that's just not possible. Some miracles require waiting because that's where He does great things. In the end you'll learn that God's timing was perfect after all.

Maybe you're waiting for that little blue plus sign on a pregnancy test (we've been there!), some test results, or even a phone call. Worrying will only cause more damage. And what does worrying do anyway but raise your blood pressure? I always find that I can handle a situation (good or bad) better if I go into it calmly and trusting in God's plan. After all, He put me there, in that moment, to show me something. And I'd rather be open to His lesson than too focused on my fears to see it.

What are you patiently (or not-so-patiently) waiting on?

We definitely don't have all the answers, but we know Someone who does. Please feel free to come to us with anything, be it a question, prayer request, or praise. We'd love to hear how God is moving in your life. 

God Bless,