Gratitude helps your attitude....

1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us to be thankful in ALL things.  
In the last few years of my life, I have come to realized my attitude can be less than impressive sometimes. I don't like that fact, but it's true.  I think it's most true when something doesn't go the way I thought it would or should.  My mom use to call this "bent out of shape". 
I have learned that you can't have a bad attitude and be thankful as the same time.  It's a choice we all have to make and Paul reminds us to be thankful for all things. I heard a pastor proclaim, "All means all and that's All all means".  It's very true, we can be thankful for things that go the way we think, but when something goes sideways, how do we usually respond?   
One personal example in my life is my moms struggle with dementia.  For about 7 years now my sisters and I have watched my moms cognitive health decline, while her physical health is extremely good for a lady of her age.  We have watched her go from struggling with names, to a point that she doesn't know we are anymore.  She has said to me on many occasions in the past few months, "Am I suppose to love you"?   I will say yes mom, and she responds "I thought so"!!!!
How can you be thankful for things like this, because this falls into the "ALL" category.   It's not easy, but it's something we must learn to do.  I have had good and bad days when trying to figure out my gratitude for my moms disease.   For me, I have come to realize that God is in control and as a follower of Christ, I have to trust Him fully.  He knows me best!  I have sad days still, but in those moments I just ask the Lord to remind me of the things about my mom that I am grateful for, and you know what happens?   My attitude changes.
I am thankful my mom is still around, that I can hold her hand, I am thankful that I can still spend time with her and laugh together.  I am also thankful that she knows the lyrics to most gospel hymn I play and we can still SING together.  I choose to be thankful, and in that choosing, God does a work on my heart and mind to change me!

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