Attitude Adjustment

I chuckle to myself when I hear my daughter tell one of the grandgirlies that she needs an “attitude adjustment.” I know that this little one has probably been whining and finally stepped on the last nerve of her mother and consequences are just ahead. Depending on the situation, there may be instant obedience … or not. The same holds true for all of us. I remember an attitude change that I needed not too many weeks after my first baby was born. All was well while my mother was there to take care of both of us but the day she left, my world turned upside down. Nothing seemed to get done and I was very frustrated. “When are things going to get back to normal?” I wondered. I fought each day’s schedule with that as a goal. After about six weeks of this nonsense, as I was rocking that sweet little girl after the 2 AM feeding, I suddenly realized that we would just have to make a “new” normal. Things were never going to get back to the way they were. Life as I knew it was irrevocably changed and I needed an attitude adjustment. The following day’s agenda was still just as demanding but I chose not to let it get me down. I learned to enjoy that sweet baby and take each day as a gift. I don’t mean to say that I never have frustrating moments and wish for the peace and quiet of earlier times because over the years, I have noticed that that we still encounter “new normals”: children in school, children out of school, new job, empty nests, retirement, moving, illness. Each change is a test and requires patience, energy, planning, and trust. But, the challenges of life level out and become manageable if we trust God to lead us rather than trying to control them ourselves. Our Father is right there to encourage us, smooth out the rough places, and plant our feet on a firm path. So take a walk with an attitude of thankfulness and love and see what good things are right around the corner. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:6 (NLT)