Being grateful

I got an email today that really hit home. I have been whiny and pretty selfish lately. As I posted awhile ago, I am not super happy with my job and REALLY want to be a stay at home mom but we need health insurance so that really isn't an option for right now. Hubby and I are in negotiations for when Baby #2 comes home that I will be a stay at home mom. YEAH!!! There is a chance it could happen before that if we pay off some bills and find reasonable health insurance.

Anyway, back to the email... I got this from my Mom who I believe got it from my uncle. I have been grumpy about my job for awhile now and when I read this email it made me pause. I had to stop and think that I really need to be grateful for all the things I do have and not so upset about the little stuff. In the grand scheme of life, my job isn't that relevant. That doesn't mean I now love my job, I don't but I have had a realization anyway. I realize that I should be thankful for the ability to work and really just suck it up and deal. It isn't that bad and me complaining about it isn't helping. So here is the email:

Every day be thankful for what you have and who you are.

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings.
Thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible. Thank you, Lord , that I can see. Many are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising. Thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned, tempers are short, and my children are so loud. Thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the picture in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced. Thank you, Lord, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry.

Even though the routine of my job often is monotonous. Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances we're different. Thank you, Lord, for life.

I got this email while I was at work today. Yes, I should have been working but it was slow so I checked my email. If I could I would quit my job the day we get back from Ethiopia but that isn't reality and I will hang in there for my family. I know at some point in the relatively near future (12-24months or so) that I will be a stay at home mom. I did gain a little much needed perspective today and for that I am grateful. Amazing what a forwarded email chain can do, huh?