What do you think, word for the year: gratitude?

The moment I begin to feel the slightest bit of pity for myself, I get a slap in the face.

This morning I had some time to kill so I decided to review my prayer journal for the past six months or so. This is due in large part to the surplus of time that my lack of internet access (stupid router) has caused me. Can't waste time? So, I actually do something productive... imagine!

A prayer journal, at least in my case, is somewhere were you are truly honest about you opinions and feelings. No reason to hold back... just You and God. Ask for what you want, confess what you need to get off your chest. No need for flowery language or fluff. I have to admit that I didn't remember half of the struggles I apparently had in recent history. It's funny how the lens through which you look at life can be shaded by your current circumstances. I had forgotten how hard it was at first... when I moved here. I had forgotten how I struggled.

It's pretty embarrassing really... I hope no one ever reads it. But, the journal really works to track a path... to see how God is molding you. In what you say, in how you say it... I can see God shaping me.

As I read I was overcome with emotion. God has answered SOOO many of my prayers that I had forgotten I prayed. The completely selfish ones, to the noble attempts at self-less requests. Prayers for me, prayers for family, prayers for friends. Prayers for material things, prayers for peace, prayers for wisdom. I was, I still am, truly in awe of it all... completely humbled. How awesome is it that God is at work in our lives even when we aren't aware of it? How amazing is it that He is working on our behalf to give us what we need AND what we want? How completely ridiculous is it that He does it regardless of our recognition of His efforts, and without an adequate expression of gratitude?

If that isn't love... then what is?