I did make the call to the clinic yesterday and I will have another hearing test and meet with the doctor tomorrow.  My question on the phone yesterday was basically asking what our goal is at this point.  Are we trying to recover any hearing lost (again) and actively treating to try to achieve that goal or does the fact that I’ve lost some hearing while on steroids mean that we’ve already done all we can and it’s not working so the goal is just to get me off the steroids and it is what it is? I’m assuming that’s what we’ll be discussing tomorrow.

I’ve been thinking a lot recently about gratitude.  There are so many ways that it has an impact.  I think that sometimes we appreciate things that someone else has said or done and we just don’t always think to let them know that we appreciate it.  Have you ever noticed how much difference a simple thanks or acknowledgment of something you’ve done or said can make your day?  What an encouragement that can be!  Seems like it often happens at just the time you could use a little mental boost!  I’m really trying to make a point of expressing my appreciation to others.  It’s such a small way to encourage someone else and it’s good for us, too, to be thinking that way.

I also think about it from the aspect of the attitude christians should have.  We’re told in scripture to be thankful.  The first thing we should be thankful for is salvation.  I think that so many petty and bad attitudes would be eliminated if we just kept this in the front of our minds and had the deep appreciation we should that even though we are sinners, Christ died for us and we have the opportunity to be saved.  When we really appreciate that, it’s easy to forgive others and have patience with others as they try to walk the christian walk.  I think about enduring trials.  When we are looking for the positives in whatever situation we find ourselves in, and are thankful for those things, it’s easier to endure and find joy whatever our circumstances.  I think about the scripture that talks about being content…again, when we appreciate what we have and are grateful for it we are not focusing on the negatives and it’s easy to be content.  It’s true in a marriage, in friendships, at work, with kids, with your local congregation…the list is unending.

Seems to me that learning to be grateful is one of the most important qualities that we, as christians, need possess.  We need to show that gratitude to others, and we need to show it to God, and give Him the credit He is due.  When we are truly grateful and looking for the positive things in our lives,  expressing appreciation and giving credit where credit is due, we’re helping our minds focus on the things we should.   Seems like a win/win scenario to me!