Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

It may take me a while to get used to typing instead of writing in a journal. It's eraseable. I like writing in ink because once it's written, everyone can tell if you try to take something out. You actually have to finish the thought process.

I've had several thoughts mulling in my head recently. One I keep hearing around me and figure I should start practicing it more. Praising God for current circumstances. current world situations make it hard for most people to thank God. How could wiping 150,000+ people off the planet in a day be a good thing? But since God says to give thanks for all things, I must try even if they are horrible. In my daily life, which is more comprehendible than the tsunami, it means giving thanks to God that I am in debt, that my husband annoys me sometimes and that it's freaking cold out. In doing so, I've been learning how to manage money better because it's tight. That my husband really is trying to help me and it's just my reaction to him that is annoying, and that by being cold outside, I get to spend more time inside with people I love.

Thanking God is not my first reaction. In fact, it usually doesn't happen until He uses the situation to teach me a lesson. It's very hard sometimes because it means acknowledging that God is in charge. and that I am not. Being taught is not fun at first. Just like a little child rebels against their parents, so I do with God. But just as a parent should have the best in store for their child, God definitely does.
I don't pretend to have answers on why God allows certain things to happen, just that my life is improving because my attitude is changing, as slow as it may be, and that I can thank God for my current circumstances, and know He has a plan, and continue rather than being bound by bitterness.