I'm NOT perfect, not even close!

I woke up this morning feeling so blessed. I looked around (from the couch since I'm still not sleeping on that hard bed) and said a prayer of thanks. I have a beautiful home, a loving husband, 4 healthy and beautiful children, I have a kitchen full of food, running water, electricity. I have clothes in abundance, shoes for my feet. I have the basics and much more. I have a husband with a job that provides well for our family and I have my own business where I get to have fun getting dressed up in jewelry and bless others with free jewelry! I get to stay home with my children - to nurture them, to teach them, to play with them.....to enjoy them.

Now, all is not perfect in our world all the time but we ARE blessed to be a blessing. God provides abundently for us and we are thankful. People think because I rarely talk about negative things in my home or life that I'm putting on a pretense of perfection or that I think I'm ALL that. But what it is, is this. I CHOOSE joy. I don't think people are fully aware of the power of their words - both negatively & positively. Your words HAVE power!!!! Now, I believe it all comes from God and am so thankful for that safe place to fall and have fath in.

So back to the power of my (and your) words. Could I gripe about what my husband DOESN'T do? Sure. However, what positive, edifying thing will come from that? Nadda. It wouldn't even make me FEEL better. Could I tell you and the world on the internet (Facebook, blogs, message boards) how my kids are bringing me to the brink of tears some days? Sure, but again, what good would come of that? Could I share, with anyone that will listen, how I feel overwhelmed with the chores in this house? Oh yeah baby, I could tell tales. But for me, what will that do for me? Will it bring me some satisfaction or joy?

So no, I'm NOT perfect and won't be on this earth. But with God's unconditional love & grace, I will enjoy life and the blessings I receive here, and will also be a blessing to those around me. It's a choice really. We all have it. Sometimes it's harder to choose the positive over the negative - but for me it becomes increasingly easier with God's help because for me, ultimately, I can only do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

I challenge everyone to be slow to speak and choose your words carefully because they are a double-edged sword - you can use it for good or evil. What do you choose today? Me? I choose good and we're off to the beach where I'm sure, I'll be challenged!