Happy New Year to all of you! I hope that you are excited about what’s to come in 2022! Did you make a new year resolution? Or are you more of a goal setting person? For the last three years, I let a word of the year guide me. You can read about the word I chose for this year in this post.

For the last two weeks, we’ve had some rather unusual things happen at our house. These events could’ve made me upset, but I chose to believe that there was a reason and a purpose for these things to happen. In fact, I have chosen to believe that they were a blessing.

Years ago, I might have focused on what went wrong. Why did this happen to me? Could the timing be any worse? However, I truly believe that when we put our trust in God, we know, without a doubt, that ALL things work together for good for those that love God and are called according to His purpose.

So let me tell you about these events. The first one happened right after Christmas.

Event #1 – Sickness

This year was the year that our children spend Christmas day with their wives’ families. Therefore, we had planned to all get together after Christmas. On December 25, our youngest son called and said he had just tested positive and they, more than likely, wouldn’t be able to make it home for Christmas. So did I choose to be upset or did I choose joy?

While initially I was disappointed, I knew that this would give me a chance to spend quality time with my other son and his family. They don’t get to come here as often so I knew this one-on-one time would be a blessing. Now don’t get me wrong, God and I had some pretty long conversations about this one because my momma’s heart wants all my family home at the same time, but I knew that God would also help me to see the blessing. We actually were able to spend one night all together at the end of quarantine and that certainly did my heart good.

My attitude turned a problem into a blessing. It is all in the attitude!

Event #2 – My oven went out

Another event that happened was that my heating element in my oven went out the day before I would be feeding 20 people at my house. I mean, honestly, could the timing be any worse? You might ask how in the world was this going to turn into joy?

I could’ve stressed over this. I could’ve called off the dinner I had planned, but I had a backup plan. I got online and ordered the part…Amazon to the rescue!!! Luckily all I was using the oven for was to warm up enchiladas and I could use another form of an oven for that! By the time I needed the oven again, my part had been delivered, my husband installed it and we were good to go!

Event #3 – the hot water heater went out

With a houseful of company, there is nothing worse than waking up to no hot water. Luckily we have two hot water heaters and the one in the kid’s side of the house was working. It was the one that furnishes the kitchen and laundry room that went out.

Blessing or curse? Since it was out of my control, I chose to count it a blessing. After all, you can’t do laundry or dishes without hot water so it gave me an excuse to sit down and not fret about the laundry!

Yes, we will have bad things that happen to us. However, it is how we choose to respond to the events of our lives that determine whether it is a blessing or a curse. Look for the good in all things. Even when bad things happen, we can find a blessing from this event. It really is all about our attitude.

Today I encourage you to focus on the good. After all, we can choose to live an abundant life or a cursed life. The choice is yours..

Be blessed,

Vickie