attitude of gratitude

Return & Release

/ LaShona Sellers / Leave a comment

In 2024, I reflected on what I was releasing ( The Release). The most significant was releasing my son into adulthood as he turned 18 and prepared to go away to college.

In 2025, life pivots brought him home to work and continue his schooling.

He returned home different. He had new perspectives and new habits. He was experienced yet still had much to learn.

He returned to a different home. Our perspectives and our family rhythm had been shaped by his absence.

It was a challenging adjustment. Each of us wrestled with the grief of unmet expectations. We balanced hard conversations with space and grace. We opened ourselves to rediscovering what was possible.

His return triggered another release. In trying to respect my young adult, I quickly realized- it’s one thing to pray and release from afar but something entirely different to pray and release up close, in real time.

I had to

ask questions,

set & respect healthy boundaries,

choose to hear what wasn’t being said,

and recognize where I was projecting my issues instead of acknowledging his.

It’s been a continual exercise in

encouraging,

affirming,

challenging,

advising,

and sometimes stepping aside to let him feel the full weight of his “adult” decisions.

Parenting in this season of life has stretched me in ways I didn’t know I needed. Some days I feel like I’m fighting for my life in the trenches but I’m grateful for the ways God continually shows himself strong, whispering grace where I see missteps.

My second born (the grand finale) is a teenager coming into her own. She’s watching and taking notes. I know her release will look different from her brother’s .

Our children may resemble us, but they are not us. They have a story, a place and a purpose all their own. We can’t negate the free-will God has given them nor underestimate His grace and transformative power at work in their lives. We can’t know all the future holds for them but we can trust and surrender it all to the One who does.

“Keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of our (and our children’s) faith.” – Hebrews 12:2

Grateful for… The honor of nurturing the future. (Gratitude in Six Words)

Gratitude In Six Words: An Exercise

/ LaShona Sellers / 3 Comments

As much as I like to think of myself as a cup half full optimist, I recognize a tendency, at times, to see an empty cup. In those moments, my prayer is “Lord, let gratitude supersede any complaint.” Gratitude invites us to shift our perspective and it can literally rewire our brains.

“Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” –1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”- Ephesians 5:20

Like a muscle, gratitude must be exercised to become our dominant response. It’s not about denying the realities of our personal circumstances or the state of our world. It’s remembering to look for God’s goodness in the midst of it all.

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.”- 2 Corinthians 9:15

“I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.”- Psalm 9:1

I invite you to exercise gratitude and a little creative writing with me as we express what we’re grateful for in six words. Why six words? I stumbled upon Six Word Memoirs years ago and was intrigued by the challenge.

Join me? What are you grateful for?

I’ll start.

Grateful for…“The gift of life and perspective”

Signs of Life

/ LaShona Sellers / Leave a comment

The changing of seasons is a reminder that sometimes what looks dead is just dormant. Restoration, renewal and regrowth are just beneath the surface. Keep watching for signs of life.

“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Answered Prayers

/ LaShona Sellers / Leave a comment

As we sorted through our tree ornaments, this one made me pause:

“PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING. WORRY ABOUT NOTHING. Philippians 4:6-7”

I thought of how often I chose prayer over worry this year. There were many invitations to stress over what was wrong. In some cases, I chose the weight of worry; more often, I chose the posture of prayer. This is an answered prayer and I am grateful.

“I am standing in the answered prayers

Of those who spoke to my existence before they even knew my name

Crying out to God on my behalf for promises they would not see

Speaking blessings and wisdom for generations  to come

Planting seeds of faith  with every step of obedience

I am walking in answered prayers

Persisting in intercession for those who will come after.”

-LAS

Creation

/ LaShona Sellers / Leave a comment

Just a reminder to take time to enjoy the beauty of nature. Slow down. Breathe deep. Marvel at the detail of the Creator’s handiwork. The God of creation is the same God orchestrating the details of our lives- for our good and His glory.

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”- ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭4:11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

This Joy

/ LaShona Sellers / 4 Comments

🎶This joy I have…the world didn’t give it and the world can’t take it way…🎶

This joy is not contingent on ideal circumstances or life without trial. This joy is rooted in a heart surrendered and trusting the God who sees, knows and loves me. I’m not taking for granted His daily mercies, second chances and plentiful patience (because Lord knows, sometimes I’m a little slow on the uptake).

Today I’m welcoming my 48th year with gratitude and anticipation. And thank you, friends and readers, for continuing this journey with me.

Got Hope?

/ LaShona Sellers / Leave a comment

🎶”…A thrill of hope, The weary world rejoices…”🎶

There’s a lot of talk about hope this season as we reflect on the year and holidays past; counting  blessings, lamenting losses and anticipating  better for the future. We have hopes, great and small, from the unspoken flickers of our heart to the health & wholeness of our families and communities. Yet hope can be a precarious thing when deferred or unfulfilled. So how do we hold onto the thrill of hope? All of our hopes, every single one, must be anchored to the hope of the world, Jesus Christ. He was born, died and rose again to give us a living hope.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Because of his great mercy  he has given us new birth  into a living hope  through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead ” -1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭CSB‬‬

In this truth we can be confident of His love and His plans for us.

“For I know the plans I have for you” —this is the LORD’s declaration—“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” -Jeremiah 29:11 CSB

“This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” – Romans 5:5 CSB

🎶”My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness

I dare not trust the sweetest frame

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name

On Christ the solid rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand

All other ground is sinking sand”🎶

May the hope of Christ be yours this season and beyond ! Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays & Happy New Year!

This Way

/ LaShona Sellers / 1 Comment

Sometimes faith looks like walking in the opposite direction, going against our natural tendencies and everything we think we know. It’s uncomfortable, intimidating and…like a breeze of fresh, brisk air awakening the senses. Listen carefully, walk closely, God is doing something great.

What If

/ LaShona Sellers / 1 Comment

Ready, set and we’re off! The holiday season is in full swing. Expressions of gratitude, tidings of comfort & joy and shopping deals abound. But for some of us there is only stress and trepidation. The goodness and beauty of the season are eclipsed by neverending to-do lists and unrealistic expectations.

So what if we changed our perspective? Minimized perfection and magnified grace. What if we decided to simply opt out? Opt out of traditions and expectations that weigh us with dread and mask us with insincerity. What if we dared to do something different? Let our “yes” be genuine and purposeful. Let our “no” be firm and free of guilt. What if in the midst of it all we took time to just be…Grateful.

Endless Thanks

Unable to contain in just one day,

A lifetime of profession.

A daily exercise of appreciation,

For this life uniquely my own,

For the glorious triumphs,

For the disheartening defeats,

For the gift of grace,

For mercies renewed,

For everyday blessings,

For the difficult journeys,

For the smallest joys,

For the sting of self-reflection,

For the hope in growth,

For love unfettered and unconditional,

For the joy of family,

For the solace of friends.

Thanks to a God so Magnificent, so Wonderful, and so Good.

Humbled by His presence and in awe of His care. -LAS

“Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.”

Psalms 105:1-2