Not enjoying, getting through, and making it

Life is pretty crazy for me right now. Most of it is work-related. I can't seem to spend enough hours in a day working. Always behind, my project failed and that was kind of embarassing, but I'm having to move forward because that's what we do, and I'm trying to be chipper.

It's an endless game.

Sometimes I leave work on Fridays and feel like I am starting my "real life." I don't have to wear a fake mask of "I'm okay, you're okay." The mask is probably is not a good thing.

We have non-religious phrases for people that are going through hard times in lives that are not really tragic but are intended to express empathy.

• "Are you making it?" (How are you really doing, is it misery?)
• "Sorry you're having to work so hard." (I'm glad it's not me.)
• "Sucks to be you." (Okay, this is said by just one guy I know, and I personally hate this phrase)

In other news, I was recently given a book by my dear friend Lynn. It's called One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. I have started it but haven't finished it yet. It is about expressing thanks for your daily blessings. But even more than that, she ties the thank-yous to what Paul found even in the hard times: "eucharisteo", which is Greek for thanks. I'm not going to sit here and tell you it's the most amazing book I've ever read. She is an amazingly descriptive writer, which I enjoy, but I did struggle with a couple of her thoughts in her chapter on "hard eucharisteo." I think she makes a good point, though, that joy can be found in all things by viewing it with an eye towards finding the thanks in it. "Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thess. 5:16-18)

I know that anytime you try to find something to "apply" the gospel in our life we will try to make it more than we should, because really, the gospel is about what has already been done for us. However, thanksgiving is something that I sense is part of receiving the gospel so at least trying to practice thanksgiving is important. Voskamp makes a really good point that it takes discipline and practice to be able to have an eye towards being thankful.

I also read Lynn's sister's blog. Lynn's precious nephew Joseph died a few years ago due to brain cancer. Her sister writes from the heart and is no stranger to digging deep and clinging to the One that gives her everything. The blog I read today is about this very topic. It's a sign! Ha.

So, I would like to try Voskamp's exercise: writing down, every day, the joy of small things. The small things that we love, that we are grateful for, even when they might be annoying. Even when I'm just "making it" at work.