Lesson #3...being thankful

I have learned to be thankful for what I have and what I do not have.

That may sound strange because in our culture it is about getting/keeping more and more, faster and faster. Whether we are talking about shoes and purses, or appointments and meetings. We like to talk about how important we are by relating how busy we are on our calendar, and look good doing it. Do not miss understand, I do think we should strive to look our best, but I must continuously guard myself not to get carried away in to obsession with stuff. And, because there is an actual show on T.V. entitled 'Hoarders: Buried Alive'...I do not think it is wrong for me to assume that many in our culture struggle with accumulating too much.--just sayin'

When we were packing to move from our home of twenty years, we were facing a time crunch and limited places to 'put things' in the vehicles. We were not going back to the storage building, so it had to either fit or be left behind.

We had to prioritize during those last moments. Those moments were full of phrases like "yes" or "set aside, we'll see if we have room." I felt like such a pioneer--only it wasn't a covered wagon--it was an SUV and a convertible we were loading!

One funny story happened near the end of the packing. There were things like jigsaw puzzles. Lots of them. I sent Madison to ask Holly what to do with them, she came back and said, "Holly said give them to Jerry Patrick."

Who in the heck is Jerry Patrick? I've never heard of Jerry Patrick. Don't know who this person is...

What Holly had said was: "Tell mom to give them to the geriatrics."

I am thankful I do not have puzzles any more to keep track of, I am thankful for my kids who make me laugh and smile!

All my purses and bags got left behind at the last minute. My dear husband had told me that there was no more room, and so I sent them away with my son-in-law, quickly so I didn't have to think about it. Like ripping off a band-aid.

While I am thankful I do not have to store a lot of extras at this point. I am thankful for what I do have. Less to worry with, less to keep track of, and what I have, I use--I couldn't really say that before the move!

I am thankful for the very simple life we have right now. I am thankful we do not have a hectic crazy schedule to keep.

I am thankful for this time in our lives...to slow down and plan a little, or sing, draw, write, read or listen. For some, this would seem a dessert experience. For me, there are moments that seem like dessert, and there are moments that are mountain top experiences. However, at all times I feel that God is near.

I have never been away from my husband for two weeks straight. I am thankful for a husband that I love to be around. However, this summer, I spent two straight weeks at Tozer for intensive classes. While it was difficult to be away from my family, the two weeks the time spent there included learning to navigate dorm life again while forming new friendships. The times spent in worship during chapel, and the times spent in prayer with classmates are moments I will always cherish.

Upon the return home, we began The church we've been attending this summer has become one of those mountain tops for me. It is truly amazing to be a part of the worship each week, and listen as the truth of scripture is proclaimed. They are a church on the move, and the Word presented and the worship are served up fresh each week. Only to please our King. The King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Creator of the Universe.

And so, at this very personal growing time in my life, I am thankful to attend an amazing church, and I am thankful that I do not have a key role there. I do not intend for that circumstance to be permanent in my life, as I love to serve the Body of Christ. This is the first time in my adult life that I have ever been in this position and I can see things that I need to learn right now--for my good--that will better prepare me for future service--where ever that might be! In it all, though, I want to remain thankful. Thankful for what is and is not in my life!