Is Your Glass Half Full or Half Empty?

I raised a couple of teenagers and have helped take care of those grown-up teenagers’ teenagers. I know well that they go through all facets of emotions at any given time. One day they’re optimistic and in a good mood. The next day they can have ‘tudes that put a damper on their day and ours! We all know those mood swings because we were once teenagers.

I remember me. I regret those times when I was less than grateful. Oh, how precious was my mother as she navigated me, single-handedly, through those rough waters of boyfriend troubles, school, and test troubles. All seemed so insurmountable, but it all came and passed. I married the boyfriend, successfully passed the tests, and graduated.

Now, just look at us! We made it through another year! Whoo-hoo! And while there may have been troubles and concerns throughout it, I suspect we can find more to be grateful for than those things that were on the negative side of the column.

I’m praying that God makes this new year one that we remember to daily express gratitude for His goodness and mercy that keeps us strong and healthy, with lots of good food on our tables, being God’s hands extended to those around us, being able to laugh during tough times, and having security and peace in abundance.

My blog, a few days ago, about our family trip to Cabo held within it fun stories and photos of our family times at the ocean and horseback riding, karoke frolics, the 230 scenic mountaintop view, and new year’s celebration. Oh, the good times we had. But I did not divulge the vicious respiratory infection that some of us attracted until my blog yesterday.

Glass half full. Glass half empty. Which was it? I’ll admit I’ve been on the side of seeing the glass half empty to seeing the glass half full many times. But now, I think we can even go a step further. Half empty or half full……there is ALWAYS something in the glass. There is ALWAYS something to be grateful for. I’m believing the truth that the glass is always refillable.

Full disclosure. I’ll admit that sometimes I get worn out. Sometimes it is all just too much. And it’s not always illness or difficult matters or disappointments that tip my glass over and drain it. I can be poured out by good things too. Needs of others, too many activities and celebrations. At times like these, I need to remind myself to stop and refill my glass.

Refill it practically. With rest. With quiet. With having little talks with Jesus. With family and friends. With walks outside. And moments when I refill someone else’s glass.

I hope that this year I take deep breaths of gratitude every day. No doubt, I’ll miss the boat many times, but I hope that I will, first and foremost, refill my glass with our Source of life, peace, joy, hope and love and FILL UP with an “all things are possible with God” attitude. We can get up on the RIGHT side of the bed saying, “This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalm 118:24)

We can look in the mirror and declare “You are looking good. You are filled with the goodness of God and quite frankly, He looks good on you!” We can BE the light that brightens the room and the catalyst for helping others to desire a full glass of awesomeness too!

“May the God of hope fill you (a glass FULL) with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13). Yay! Our glass is REFILLABLE!