When it is hot outside, I am not very pleasant…if I am outside where it is hot, that is. And when it is hot inside because of poor air conditioning or lack thereof, I am also not very pleasant.

This past weekend, case. in. point.

To add fuel to the fire, the house is in turmoil with furniture in hallways, sawdust trails non-stop, flies taking residence since the doors seem to always be open due to the heat and the workers, boxes of everything we own in every room with no place to unpack as of yet, fans going full speed to try to move the window air conditioning to inhabited places, and dust, dust dust.

Me heart was less than merry and me spirit was frustrated the hotter the days became.

Sunday morning, we did not wake up leisurely and enjoy the early morning stillness before getting ready for church. We did not enjoy a Sunday morning breakfast of pancakes and bacon and all things Sunday morning yum. We woke up and began working. But, at 11 am, I decided I needed to attend church, so I sat down in front of a fan, and I attended our service online.

And the Holy Spirit began to work.

Gratitude happens when some kindness exceeds expectations, when it is undeserved. Gratitude is a sort of laughter of the heart that comes about after some surprising kindness. – David Brooks

I was first surprised to see dear friends having their little girl baptized. Little Margaret was adorable, being held by the pastor while he prayed over her, all the while playing in the water. I could hear the congregation giggle at the sight. And I was grateful that I had chosen the 11 am service to attend online so that I could see our friends and watch Margaret’s baptism.

Then I was surprised to watch my former youth choir, having just returned from their annual choir trip, sing in the choir loft – they do not often sing in the 11 am service, and I was grateful and loved seeing familiar faces.

And then Pastor Adam spoke about the 10 lepers who were healed and only one returned to say “Thank you.” And the message was all about gratitude. Dispositional gratitude – gratitude that is felt ALL of the time for EVERYTHING. Gratitude that recognizes that EVERYTHING is a gift, gratitude that does not come with expectation.

The Holy Spirit got through my irritated, sweaty demeanor and knocked on my convicted heart…

I am grateful for the heat. It makes ANY cool breeze – from a box fan to a window air conditioner – that much more pleasant. And it makes a 5 hour drive back to the city that much more enjoyable with a really nice AC in the truck.

I am grateful for the body full of mosquito bites. I’m not sure why right now, but I am going to choose to be grateful. God, please show me why I should be grateful…

I am grateful for the opportunity to stay with my Dad this week. I look forward to evenings on the couch with Dad and the Royals.

I am grateful for a call today from my grandson. He wanted to tell me he is completely 100% healed. Broken hand is restored, and it was a miracle of a healing.

I am grateful for Natia. She makes me happy when I am uncomfortably hot and irritated. She is my “safe space” when my world around me is in turmoil.

I am grateful for my work. When there is noise and chaos and nothing is in its place, I can focus on a computer screen and feel like I have a little bit of sanity in my work.

And I am grateful for one hour yesterday to escape into worship, for the conviction of the Holy Spirit, for the resolve to fill my heart with dispositional gratitude rather than frustration and bitterness, and for the gift of unceasing prayers of thanksgiving.

Might not be laughter of the heart, but at least I am giggling. And breathing. Breathing’s a start.