Frustrated, but Grateful

I think a lot of us are frustrated by our greatest blessings.

A change in perspective can give us hope and a sense of peace in the midst of darkness. However, know that you don’t always need a changed perspective, and sometimes, there is no silver lining to pain. But, if you’re hungry for hope, join me in changing the lens. Join me in seeing our greatest frustrations as our greatest blessings.

For example, I know I have been annoyed with my transition to online classes. In these times of disappointment, I remind myself that I still have the opportunity to learn! In the midst of a global crisis, I have the privilege to get an education! That’s incredible. And, I will chose to be grateful for it no matter how frustrating Zoom or Microsoft Teams can be.

Lately, I’ve also been really frustrated with my slim food options. I feel like I eat the same meals over and over again since I can’t go to the store often. But, I still have food. I’m able to eat. That is a major blessing.

Some of you are stuck at home with your family. I’ve seen tons of memes on Facebook about how some wives want to strangle their husbands (these make me quite angry, but that’s another blog post). Many of you are “stuck” with your family 24/7. What a blessing it is to have the opportunity to spend quality time with your parents and siblings! What a blessing it is to have a living spouse that loves you, or to have living, healthy children that you can spend time with! Know that family is a blessing, even when they stomp all over your nerves!

It would be so easy (and valid) for me to say that I have nothing to be grateful for. My husband is dead. I’m completely isolated in my home for at least another month. If I’m honest, my life has reached a record low.

But, I still have so much that I am thankful for. I’m thankful for the sunshine. I’m thankful for the food in my cupboards and for the milk in my fridge. I’m thankful for gracious professors who check up on me individually because they know that I’m grieving, alone. I’m thankful for my wonderful friends who continuously pray for me, and call me daily. I’m thankful for my loving parents who willingly FaceTime me whenever I’m feeling extra lonely.

I have so many negative feelings. I’m disappointed, angry, frustrated, but I am grateful, still.

We all have so much to be grateful for. If nothing else, we are all loved by the ultimate Creator who sent His son to die so that we can live. That’s the biggest blessing we could ever imagine, and it’s more than enough reason to be thankful.

Photo: Wild Native Photography