What happens when you see blessings instead of problems in your marriage

We all do it don't we? Find ourselves dwelling on the negatives in our life instead of the many ways God has blessed us.

To be sure, we experience troubles in this life - some seasons have more troubles than others. But God also blesses us richly even in the midst of less-than-ideal situations.

I found myself dwelling on problems recently, especially in regards to my marriage. Brendan stayed home with Charlotte one Sunday afternoon and made an appointment for me to have a manicure and pedicure. I get home and all I think about is how he didn't pick up the apartment like I do. Brendan works hard and is in the midst of a season of a heavy work load. I've not been thinking about how he does this to enable me to stay home with Charlotte and provide for our family - no, I think about the long hours he's working, how I never see him anymore, how he doesn't spend much time with Charlotte, and how this isn't the way I imagined family life to be.

While some of these negatives that I see may be true - the apartment may really not be picked up and he may be working long hours - but when I dwell solely on the negative, Satan has all kinds of room to feed me lies about Brendan. I DO see Brendan and he DOES spend time with Charlotte.

I even told Brendan recently that I felt like we were in a low point in our marriage! I said what?!!! Yeah, I've been steeping in the problems (and imagined problems) of my marriage for way too long!

In steps God....

Our current home is in Madrid, we're only in Hong Kong for a few weeks, and a couple months ago I didn't even think or foresee that we'd be in Hong Kong at all. Oh, but God did. He knew. And He pieced together many different things that lead to me being able to attend a seminar at a church in Hong Kong this past week.

The speaker was writer, Gary Thomas, and he was speaking many times over the weekend about his books - Sacred Influence, Sacred Parenting, and Sacred Marriage. I was able to attend the Sacred Influence seminar and pick up the book, and both have been changing my heart and attitude toward Brendan and our marriage.

The Spirit really convicted me about one area in particular and that was being thankful for my husband's strengths and focusing on those rather than on the (seemingly) numerous things I'd like to change about him. As I've started doing this, God has completely changed my perspective of the "negative" aspects of my marriage.

God knew exactly what our marriage needed in this season, and instead of being at a low point, I feel more intimacy in my marriage than there has ever been! I also feel that over the past 6+ months since I've started keeping a gratitude journal God has really been teaching me a lot about the role of gratitude in my life...how that changes my relationship with Him and others. It wasn't really any surprise to me then that thankfulness was what I was most convicted about that was lacking in my role as a wife.

I'm continuing my count to one thousand gifts (and beyond!)...this week I just want to share with you how God blesses me through my husband....

427. he works hard to provide for our family
428. he has a strong work ethic - wants to do well at whatever work he does
429. he organizes all of the travel and immigration requirements for our family - I never have to worry about the details of our travel or moving, he has taken care of it all!
430. his heart belongs to the Lord - he has a personal relationship with Jesus
431. he thinks of me & how he can encourage me or serve me as I care for our family
432. he organized a mani/pedi for me with a friend in HKG and took care of Charlotte for an afternoon/evening
433. he called to see if I would like a hamburger and fries for dinner instead of cooking - um, yes!
434. he remembered I don't like onions on my burger :)
435. he remembers my likes and dislikes
436. he rarely worries about things of this world - things that often cause me concern, he entrusts to God
437. he is stable - our circumstances may change, I may be affected by emotions, but Brendan stays calm & focused
438. he loves Charlotte and desires to spend time with her whenever he is able
439. he held a very squirmy Charlotte on our tram-ride home from church
440. he works hard so that I am able to stay home with Charlotte and care for our home & family
441. he loves to open our "home" to others - to welcome them, love them, grow with them, encourage them - he wants people to know God and grow in relationship with Him
442. he shares his hobbies and interests with me

Is there an area of your life that could use a good dose of thankfulness? Give it a try. I believe you'll find your perspective changed if you do.