We were supposed to be traveling last week–to a lovely Secrets resort in Cabo San Lucas–a trip my husband had earned through his job. Little did I know that instead, the week would involve seven hours in an emergency room and my poor husband being admitted to the hospital! He’s home now, and well, but the events were definitely unexpected….and sure didn’t involve sunny days floating around in a pretty pool!
Unexpected things.
I can think of so many, over the years…twists and turns in life that led to events and opportunities I wouldn’t have imagined. A chance encounter with another mom, for instance, which led to the two of us being involved in a 4-H club with our kids and their horses. A random conversation with her, which led me to reading my first romance novel and eventually, trying my hand at writing. Other random encounters have led to situations I wouldn’t have dreamed of, or provided guidance to help me with difficult decisions.
“Chance” and “random” aren’t the right words, of course. I feel so much has been an answer to prayers, and for that I am so thankful. And I am grateful to my writing friend, Lyn Cote, who gave me so much guidance and encouragement when I wanted to leave secular fiction behind and write Christian fiction instead. What a blessing she has been!
I’ve been thinking about gratitude and thankfulness since coming across a slightly battered blank Gratitude Journal while cleaning my office recently. I’ve decided that I’m going to start using it–to write at least three things I’m grateful for, at the end of every day. Surely it will remind me to think of positive things, rather than worries, when falling off to sleep!
How about you–do you keep any sort of journal? A record of your prayer requests? A diary? If so, have you been able to keep it up for a long time? Has it been helpful?
Blessings to all of you,
Roxanne Rustand
USA Today bestselling author Roxanne Rustand is the author of over thirty-five traditionally published novels, and four indie novels. Prior to 2007 she wrote for the secular market, but since then has been happily focused on inspirational fiction and sweet romance. A Golden Heart winner in 1995, she has received two RT Bookclub Magazine Reviewers' Choice Awards, and has been nominated for an RT Bookclub Magazine Career Achievement Award. She is currently writing for Harlequin's Love Inspired line, and is continuing with self publishing. She and her husband live in the country with three horses, two goofy rescue dogs, and a half-dozen barn cats.
I’m so sorry to hear about your husband, Roxanne, but happy to know he’s doing better.
I keep a one sentence a day happiness journal. I’ve been diligent for over a year now. It helps me to realize that no matter how bad I think my day has been, there’s always at least one thing I can be happy about.
So nice to hear from you, Jill, and learn that this has worked for you. I hope I can be as diligent! :)
That’s such a sad story about your husband. I’m glad to hear he’s doing well now.
I like to think randomness, chance, or luck are just nonChristians way to say “a God thing.” This is something I’ve learned from a favorite author in my teens: “[A God-thing is] when something happens in your life, and you look at it and can’t explain how or why it happened, but you know there’s a reason for it. You know that God is doing something in your life, and it changes you. There’s no other way to explain it except to see it as a God thing.” (Robin Jones Gunn)
My husband and I often talk how we seem to always end up doing things in the most difficult ways in our lives. I need to believe God has a reason for it, or I’d go crazy. He says “easy is overrated”, but I’d still like easy sometimes… which is also why I often turn to reading HEAs in the end of the day–specially after a crazy day; I’ll leave the writing to you, writers.
So glad your husband is out of hospital! I hope you can reschedule that vacation when he’s well enough.
I keep a daily journal/to do list on my computer (or my smartphone or Kindle, technology is such a blessing!). One of the last sections on my journal sheet is “What three things am I most grateful for today?” I start the day with journaling my quiet time (LOL, sometimes quite a noisy time, depending what’s going on around me!), and setting out what I hope to do during the day; then last thing at night before my bedtime Bible reading I look at what I managed on my list, what I need to carry over, and last of all, what those three things are I’m grateful for.
It does make a difference ending my day that way. Even the worst day has some things we can thank God for. :)
Glad your husband is better. Look at your missed trip as God keeping you from a possible misfortune. Only he knows the future and your husbands hospital trip may have been Gods way of keeping you safe.
So good to read that your husband is better. We just never know what each day will bring and sometimes, things like trips to the e.r. keep us from what we had planned. As for the journal, I have tried over the years to keep a journal, but, have not been good at keeping up to date. When my husband and I were married 37 years ago, I kept a journal every day for a few years. I still have those journals and when I read them, I realize how much I have changed and matured. I am glad that I am a “new creation in Christ”. :-)
I’m sorry about your husband. PTL he is doing better now.
I’ve tried journaling, but most of the journals I have in my house are empty. I’ve tried many times, but find it difficult to be diligent in that endeavor.
So sorry to hear about your husband. Glad he’s doing better. I just received a gorgeous leather journal from a secret pal in our Texas Tenors fan group and think a gratitude journal is a wonderful idea!
Glad your husband is better! I do journal. I have 3-4 thick journals that I have filled since I became an adult. I don’t journal every single day, but usually several times a week. I usually journal prayers, prayer requests, thoughts about scripture, things God’s showing me or doing in me. It does really help me to process things as I write them out. I probably have another journal full on my phone because I have started doing a lot of my journaling in a notes app on my phone because my phone is nearly always with me even when my journal is not.
I really like the idea you have about gratitude – writing down 3 things each day which we’re thankful for. God is pleased when we are truly grateful. Praise the Lord!
Glad your husband is doing better. Over the years I keep a weekly diary which reminds me of God’s goodness and yes the unexpected. Last Tuesday, I tripped, fell, and broke my left wrist. I am right handed, but until one can’t use a hand one doesn’t realize how often we use two hands – to squeeze tooth paste, open a jar, use a curling iron. Prayers have been sent for all wounded soldiers who lost arms. Theirs is permanent, mine is temporary. Best wishes.
Sorry about your trip and so glad your husband is better! I have tried and failed to keep various kinds of journals over the years. The best I’ve done was a prayer journal for my husband before we were married.
Roxanne, I’m so glad your husband is better. So sorry you missed your trip. I’m not good at keeping a journal. I want to spend my writing time making up stories.
Sorry about your husband, but glad he is doing better. No, I don’t keep a journal, although it is a good idea.
I have a daughter, 34, and a son, 28. I wrote in a diary everyday for both of them of their first year of life. With all their milestones, adventures and activities. It’s fun for me to read them now. So much I would have forgotten if not for writing it down.
I love to give new moms diaries and suggest they do the same.
I’m sorry for your missed trip and especially the reasons for it! But I’m glad things ended well. You are right. There is so much to be thankful for.
Good to hear your husband is doing better! Sorry you missed your much anticipated trip :-(
I don’t write in a journal or diary. I used to as a kid/young teen, guess I just never had the diligence or longevity to keep it up for long! And I do believe God gives us moments in our life that are unexpected so that we can remember He is the One we can lean on in uncertain times. At least that’s how I like to look at it anyway. There have been many times like this in my own life, my faith and trust have grown through them. Maybe that’s what God’s intent is for me, to always grow and learn more about His nature. I still have a long way to go, but I can look back and find out how far He’s taken me! That always brings a smile to my face :-)
Even though I don’t keep a journal, I have asked God to remind me of those times past & He has been faithful to do just that!