Bad Attitude

I just got done reading someone else's blog
where she was talking about having a good attitude
and how we determine the attitude we will have.
We make the decision.
It's all in our outlook and where our focus is.
It kind of pointed out
to me that I've been struggling with a
less-than-good
attitude today. The good thing about me being
absent minded and easily distracted is that when I
am having a stinky attitude, it's often interrupted
by joyful singing and moments of laughter.
(never a dull moment here!)
This morning all I could think of when I woke up
was how much I would like to go to The Big City
or College Town BY MYSELF and just look
around in stores and stuff.
I just wanted to go shopping alone.
It's been a long time.
It's been a long time since I've gone anywhere
for more than an hour or two without my
little friend Baby J attached to me
(about six months, almost seven).
But reality abounds here at the homestead
and I knew that I wouldn't be going anywhere
without my usual entourage.
We had a nice morning though.
And then I decided to split the children with
Lloyd Dobbler as we went about our activities for the day.
I was going to leave him the big boys and take
Lovely K and Baby J with me. To College Town.
Then my mother came by and took Lovely K with her
....but I got bogged down doing 143 things here at
the house....and by the time I was trying to just get to
a point where I could leave the house, I knew I was in
no mood to go traipsing off to College Town with just Baby J.
I didn't want to lug that baby carrier in and out of
stores in this heat. And I didn't want to listen to him
wailing if he got unhappy going down the interstate
with no one in the back of the van to talk to him.
So instead of going to cool stores and looking around
at interesting things in peace and quiet,
I went to Walmart and bought groceries.

But you know what?
I only had Baby J with me.
That makes it so much easier.
No one distracting me with conversation when I am
trying to think about what I am doing.
And I ought to just be happy that I am able to go
to a store and buy food (and silly bands) for my family.
I ought to just remember what it's like
NOT to be able to do that.
I ought to just be happy that my husband has a job
and that there is a store to go to with food on the shelves.
I am happy about that.
Happy and thankful.
I know I am blessed.
I shouldn't ever complain about anything.
Someday I will be alone and wishing like anything
that I would have one (let alone four!) of my children
by my side. So I need to have the right attitude.
Instead of poor me,
I need to give thanks.
I know that is God's will for me
at all times and in every situation.

Sometimes I just need to be reminded of that.