I have ugly feet.

There. It‚Äôs out. In the future, if you see my little piggies exposed through the straps of a carefree sandal‚Äìyou‚Äôve been warned not to look. You‚Äôll look just the same, LOL.

I was observing my family‚Äôs feet while we were having prayer the other night. Two things: yes, sometimes I pray with my eyes open; and, no, my children did NOT inherit my unfortunate toes.

It occurred to me that I should thank God more. ‚ÄúThank you, God, for my children‚Äôs feet that function well! And thank you for mine as well‚Äìeven if my middle toes are smaller than the pinkies <sigh>.‚Äù

Clearly, I am blessed with much and I take it for granted (I‚Äôm ashamed to admit) often.

I spoke with a woman whose mother made it a point to thank God in the moment.

In the shower: ‚ÄúThank you, Lord, for this water!‚Äù

At bedtime: ‚ÄúThank you, Lord, for this pillow!‚Äù

In the laundry room: ‚ÄúThank you, Lord, for these clothes!‚Äù

It‚Äôs a mindset of gratitude that I should be putting into practice every moment of the day. If I‚Äôm intentional, things practiced become habitual. The Bible tells me to pray without ceasing and to be grateful in every circumstance‚Äìthis attitude of gratitude keeps me in ‚Äúintentional‚Äù alignment with God and, coincidentally, within His spirit‚Äôs intentions for my life!

I was standing at the sink and getting frustrated with the chores connected with mealtime and was reminded of this sweet mother and her thankful heart. Right there with soapy hands I gave myself an attitude adjustment.

This being grateful in the midst of life‚Äôs circumstances (good and bad) is not natural, that‚Äôs why we need Jesus! He breathes His supernatural life into us when I allow Him the opportunity. , and why wouldn‚Äôt I let Him brand my chores with His life-giving perspective?! A merry heart is good medicine!

Lord, thank you for my ugly feet‚ÄìYour Word says those feet are beautiful when they bring the good news of Jesus to others <3