Gratitude, Even Here

I didn't wake up today with everything fixed. 

I didn't wake up with every prayer answered, every storm settled, or every heartache gone. 

But I did wake up with breath in my lungs. 

And for that, I'm grateful. 

Not the social media kind of gratitude where everything is beautiful and filtered. 

I'm talking about that gritty, in spite of gratitude. 

The kind that whispers "thank you" while still wiping away tears. 

The kind that chooses to see what's left instead of only what's lost. 

There are days when it feels like nothing is going right.

When all I can do is stand still and say, 

"I'm still here, Lord. And somehow, You are too."

Gratitude doesn't mean ignoring the hard. 

It means noticing the holy in the middle of it. 

It's the smile that comes even after a long cry. 

It's the strength to try again when no one sees. 

It's the joy that bubbles up in the middle of nothing make sense.

And somehow; that kind of gratitude changes everything.

Reflection Prompt;

What can you thank God for today? Not because it is perfect... but because he's still present.

Verse for Today; 

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

1st Thessalonians 5:18