Gratitude Friday...

The past several weeks, our pastor has been doing a sermon series on being overwhelmed.  

It was called, "Overwhelmed."

Genius.  I know.

Most of the series was honestly, ho-hum for me.  Not because I don't get overwhelmed but because I tend to see those times as just part of it.  I learned last year I'm a beaver.  Beavers tend to look at life not so much in a glass half full or half empty sort of way but more of a hey, look, it's a glass with liquid in it.

Thus, that's the way I see being overwhelmed.  Hey, look, life is kickin' me in the tail again.  Okay.

Last Sunday though was the last sermon in the series.  You know, the one where pastors hit you with the zinger.  

And here it is:

Overwhelmed by life = Underwhelmed by Jesus

Yup.  He went there.  And I heard it so there's no way I can claim I don't know that fact.  

He made it worse by stepping all over my toes with telling us the way to switch that around is with praise and thanksgiving.

Look.  Let's get real.  Life can easily get in the way of being overwhelmed by Jesus.  We don't mean for it to happen.  But it does.  

And just keeping it real, I'm totally there.  

Although, I wasn't calling my issues "overwhelming" but more exhaustion, frustration, end of my rope if the toddler lays down on the ground one more time because she doesn't want her diaper changed and seriously over watching every penny we spend.  

But in my defense, this is not the same kind of overwhelmed to which I've been accustomed.  That was more about work and employees and bosses and expectations and feeling like what the heck am I doing here.  

Not sure what I would have done had a co-worker or an employee laid down on the floor because they didn't want to complete their performance review.  

Hide under the desk?  Yes.  Lay down on the floor?  Weird.

So this week, I decided it was time to do some more praise and thanksgiving.  I'm feeling much better, physically, and can actually go out and about.  Each morning this week, Rhys and I took a long walk around the neighborhood.  He loves to move and loves being outside.  I would love to lose the ten pounds of remaining baby weight.  

Win.  Win.  

While walking, I turned on my "Rhys" playlist.  I created it thinking I could use it as a distraction during contractions.  The best laid plans...

It has been such a wonderful tool this week.  The music and lyrics really helped me get in some amazing praise and thanksgiving.  Honestly, if you can't find something to be grateful for walking around an adorable miracle newborn in the 70 degree sunny weather, you might need to seek professional help (and I mean that in all seriousness.)

In case you are where I am or just in the need of some fabulous P&W music, here's my Rhys playlist:

1.  How He Loves - David Crowder Band (anyone shocked this is on the list??)

2.  Remind Me Who I am - Jason Gray

3.  We Are - Kari Jobe

4.  10,000 Reasons - Matt Redman

5.  Strong Enough - Matthew West

6.  All for You - Mikeschair

7.  Your Great Name - Natalie Grant

8.  When the Stars Burn Down - Phillips, Craig and Dean

9.  Grace Like Rain - Todd Agnew

10.  Mine to Love - Dave Barns (this is Rhys' song...I cry every time)

11.  Manifesto - The City Harmonic

Our pastor talked about speaking scripture out loud to get you to that place of worship.  I do better with music.  The last song, Manifesto, is amazing for that.  I've posted the video and the lyrics for you.  

It gets you in That place.  Seriously.

Thank you Lord for pastors who step on our toes, for songwriters and musicians who help us sing to You and for miracle newborns who like to go on long walks with their mommas.  

We believe in the one true God 
We believe in Father Spirit Son We believe that good has won 
And all of the people of God sang along 

AmenAmenAmenAmen

We are free He died and lives again We will be a people free from sin We'll be free a kingdom with no end 
And all of the people of God sang along 

AmenAmenAmenAmenAmenAmen 

Our father who art in Heaven, hallowed by thy nameThy kingdom come, thy will be doneOn earth as it is in heaven.Give us our daily bread and forgive us our trespassesAs we forgive those who have trespassed against usLord lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evilFor thine is the kingdom, power and the glory forever

We’re singing –AmenAmen, yeahAmenAmen, yeahAmenAmen, yeah, yeah.