The following is a testimony from Deana of Redeeming the Days
I have always lived life with unbridled positivity.
For the past thirty-one years, I’ve prided myself in the fact that I can find a silver lining in just about any situation. That’s why the last six months have hit me so hard.
Back in late January, after much prayer, my husband and I realized a long-time dream of adoption when we adopted our fourth child through our state’s foster care system.
As we prepared to welcome our new son, I was sure that I could find a silver lining amidst all the hurt our new son had experienced in his seven years. Yet, as soon as he walked through the door, I struggled. The emotional grief of the losses he bore were heavy. And it wasn’t easy to help him carry those griefs.
It was hard to find the silver lining to his gray clouds of loss. Before I knew it, my usual positivity was nowhere to be found, and I felt emotionally down.
It’s been a difficult climb out of that valley, and I doubt that I’m completely out yet, as there is plenty of grief still to walk through with our little guy. But one day, during my daily check of MoneySavingMom.com, I saw where Crystal wrote about her Gratitude Journal and how much that daily discipline had affected her life.
I decided to give it a try. Every day, I would write everything I was thankful for in my journal. Little by little, I began to notice that instead of feeling down so much, I was intentionally looking for things during the day that I could write in my blessing journal. The tough things of my day just weren’t shining as brightly against all the blessings I had.
The practice of the Gratitude Journal has been a lifesaver.
As I got to thinking about how much I had benefited from the Gratitude Journal, I began wondering if my kids would enjoy it as much as I did. I didn’t want to invest much into the idea, just in case they hated it, so I went to the grocery store and bought them each a fifty-cent composition book. Every morning they start our Bible Time writing their blessings in their Gratitude Journals.
I had no idea how healing the practice would be to my children, but every day, each of them spend about 15 minutes working on their journals, writing, drawing, and counting their blessings.
The other day, I almost couldn’t contain my heart when our adopted son shared his blessings and said, “I am thankful for my mom and dad and my brother and sisters.” That was truly a special moment that would not have happened without our Gratitude Journals.
My positivity is no longer unbridled. It is forever tainted with the hurt, loss, and grief that my son has experienced and that my family and I now are very much willing to help him carry.
Through the practice of daily gratitude, I’m learning that even suffering isn’t all bad. Through life’s struggles, we learn qualities like perseverance, endurance, and trust. And we learn that God is always good, no matter what.
Deana is wife to Tim, and a homeschool mom to four beautiful children. She loves bird watching, front porch-sitting, and time spent in God’s Word. She writes about homeschooling, adoption and foster care, and her faith at her blog, Redeeming the Days.
Kariane says
I love the idea of having my kids do this. What a wonderful way to help them learn and develop a lifetime practice of gratitude!
Suzanne Holt says
This is definitely a quality we should practice year round, not just around Thanksgiving. The more thankful I am, the more I can handle setbacks because I can remember that good will come again soon. Plus I can start looking for the positive in a negative situation.
Dani says
I agree with the other ladies that this is such an uplifting story. It’s hard to remember the blessings sometimes when there’s so much going on around you. But I never want to get so down that I can’t thank God for what he’s done for me and my family. Truth be told, my children and I wouldn’t be alive today if God hadn’t stepped in to work medical miracles just in time. The kids may get rambunctious and impatient from time to time, but I have a whole lot to be grateful for. That just shows me I have some work to do, too; it’s not all on them. Thank you ladies for reminding me to take time to be grateful.
Jaime says
I just clicked over and read the top few posts on your site, and I became a sobbing, snotty mess. What a beautiful story. James is so fortunate to have such a loving family who sees him as such an equal, and you all are so fortunate to have gained another awesome child. My kids (not adopted) have been going a bit crazy here at the end of summer. I needed this uplifting story about family and belonging to help realign my own attitude. Prayers and hugs.
Deana says
I’m so glad you stopped by (sorry about the snotty mess part though!). I’m enjoying sharing our journey and I pray it bring glory to God above all else. Thank you for those sweet words!
Kelly S says
What a beautiful post! Sounds like these past months have been so hard for you – glad to see your grateful heart in the midst of it, and how that is rubbing off on your new son. 🙂
Deana says
It’s been a little tough but so worth it. I’m thankful to Crystal for sharing the Gratitude Journal. It has really been a blessing to my whole family!
Sarah@TheOrthodoxMama says
That is absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing. May God bless you and all of your children.
Deana says
Thank you so much!
Erin @ My Mommy World says
How wonderful! Your son is so lucky to have you 🙂
Deana says
Awe thank you! I’m pretty lucky too! 🙂
Maureen T says
One of the most heartwarming posts I have ever read. That boy is blessed to have found such a loving home. I will say a prayer for their family.
Deana says
Thank you for your prayers!
Tamara says
This post is simply beautiful.
Renee says
I too started doing this after reading an article on MSM site. I was going to try doing it for 30 days back in February, and I haven’t stopped. I loved the idea of the pretty gratitude journal too, but our finances just didn’t allow for the extra expense, so I found a used homeschool tablet in our home, and I used that. And a few weeks ago, our 16 year old daughter was having some rough days, and she has heard me over and over again, talk about how writing down God’s blessings each morning has helped me, that she started doing the same. She writes down 5 things each morning after her devotions that she is thankful for, she writes some of her favorite scripture verses, and some of her favorite song lyrics in her little journal. It is a great way to start out your day! Thank you for sharing this post!!
Crystal Paine says
I LOVE this! Thank you so much for taking the time to share!