A chaotic morning, a powerful movie, and a gentle reminder that gratitude can change everything—even on the worst days. Here’s how the unexpected helped shift my perspective.
A Peaceful start…until Real life kicked in
It’s been one of those days.
It actually started out so promising. I woke up feeling well-rested and refreshed. I didn’t snooze my alarm, and best of all, I began the day with a peaceful hour of prayer—saying the rosary, reading scripture, and listening to my usual morning podcast.
Fast forward an hour later, and I’m driving like a maniac down the dual carriageway, honking at all the Sunday drivers (on a Tuesday!) in a desperate attempt to get my son to school before the register closed and he was marked as an unauthorized absence.
From there, things only went downhill—work pressures, delayed deliveries, stroppy kids… you name it. Nothing catastrophic, just one little thing after another until I felt like a pressure cooker about to explode.
I know I’m not alone in this. Everyone has days like this—some have much worse—and it’s not the end of the world. But when these little annoyances pile up, it can feel like everything’s crashing down. My best friend at school used to say, “When it rains, it pours.” That’s exactly how today felt.
When God gives us what we didn’t know we needed
By the evening, the chaos had settled. I finally reclined into a quieter moment, watching an animated movie with my husband and son. I’ll be honest—I wasn’t thrilled to watch it at first. But my son was so excited for our regular movie night, and how could I say no?
The story followed a young girl who had recently moved to a new area with her parents. She was unhappy, resentful even, and when she was offered a shinier, more exciting version of her life—including “better” parents—she jumped at the chance. But she soon discovered that this perfect world was a trap. It turned out to be far worse than the life she had left behind. In time, she longed to return to her real life.
Trusting God’s wisdom over Our wants
Surprisingly, the movie was exactly what I needed. It struck a chord with me.
It reminded me of that old saying: “The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.”
The moral was simple yet powerful—be grateful for what you have, because it could be so much worse.
Now, as I sit here writing this, I can smile at the madness of this morning. I can even chuckle at the frantic school run. It’s a far cry from the stress I felt earlier.
Isn’t it remarkable how God knows exactly what we need—even before we bring it to Him in prayer?
What’s even more humbling is realizing that what we want or think we need isn’t always what’s best for us.
As I mentioned earlier, I wasn’t exactly thrilled to watch a children’s animated movie. I certainly didn’t expect it to be the remedy for my bad mood.
But God knew.
He knew what would lift my spirit. He knew what would soften my heart. And in His quiet, gentle way, He met me right there—on the couch, with my family, during a movie I didn’t want to watch.
Gratitude changes everything
So, tonight, I feel thankful—grateful for my life, my husband, my children, and the incredible family and friends I’m surrounded by.
No, things aren’t always perfect. But as the Bible reminds us, we were never promised a life free of trials.
Gratitude doesn’t erase the hard moments—it just helps us see the blessings in spite of them.
Here are a few Bible verses that may help when you’re having a rough day.
Write them down and keep them by your bed or on your desk. Write them on a Post-it note and stick it on the fridge.
However you choose to display them, keep them close—you never know when you’ll need that gentle reminder that God sees you and knows your need even when everything around you seems to be going awry.
‘Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you’ 1 Thessalonians 5:18
‘My brothers and sisters , whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance’ James 1:2
some of my favourite bible verses
‘We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose’ Romans 8:28
‘Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God’ Philippians 4:6
What about you?
Have you ever had one of those days where everything spirals—and then something unexpected re-centres you ?
I’d love to hear your thoughts or stories in the comments. Let’s encourage each other to find gratitude, even in the chaos.