“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual
songs. Sing and make music in your heart
to the Lord, always giving thanks to God
the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”—Ephesians
5:19-20 (italics added by me)
When we are thankful, we are able to focus on something or
someone other than ourselves. When we
are sad, or when we are grieving—especially when we are grieving—it is good to
find a place of thankfulness for our thoughts.
When we cultivate this, it is an exercise in renewing our minds that
Scripture encourages us to do…so let’s try it this morning…
Rain. I love it—the very
sound of the word is gorgeous.
Rain. I love to listen as it hits
the roof. And rain. This is the stuff that rapidly melts the left
over snow. And, let’s face it, a snow
storm on the ground for two weeks has lost a little of its beauty. In fact, after two weeks, most of the piles
of snow have become grey and dingy. And
so, the rain is a gift to clean up the landscape, and rid our view of the grey
leftover mounds!
Today, it is to rain most of the day. That is fine with me, for I do not have to
work outside. For those of you who face
that kind of day: wrap up, and put on your rain gear!
Weather—it’s ever changing and certain, sometimes surprising,
but always gorgeous in its own way.
Savor and patiently enjoy the changes—for the current situation will
change soon enough.
Today, I am thankful for the view, a front row seat to see
the weather changes. I am thankful for
the rain, and a roof that does not leak.
I am thankful for Madison & Mallory—who have always added their own
element of surprise to our family. They
are precious to me, and in the sight of the Lord. I am thankful for Holly Ann, for she brings
her own brand of humor and excitement and places much value on a good long nap,
or movie, and sometimes both at once. I
am thankful for Alayna, for she also has her own brand of humor, common sense
and clear convictions for right and wrong, and is not afraid to express
herself. I am thankful for Wesley, for
he is patient with all of us, he brings laughter and wisdom beyond his years to
our family conversations. The two of
them together are good parents, with a conviction to make certain that their
children know they are loved. And, oh my
goodness, I am thankful for those little ones—Will with his all the sudden
toothless smile, Ally with her DIVA-like traits, and Anna and her all the
sudden smile that contains teeth!
And, today I am thankful for my husband, who works so very
hard for us to all get along, and love each other. He also works very hard at his job, for which
we are also thankful in these economic times.
This is a man who rarely complains, and is pretty quick to find the
humor in most situations…often we laugh for the most obtuse reasons, that only
the two of us will understand.
I am thankful for the school the girls are attending—and the
fact that we can be there in just a few minutes. I am thankful for vehicles that are in good
working order—and thankful for my driver’s license, (for to obtain that was a labyrinth
of requirements, two trips to the BMV—and much studying).
I am thankful for the wisdom that has come to me from grandparents,
aunts, uncles, cousins and parents who have spoken in to my life—sometimes
indirectly, and sometimes in very direct ways—wisdom that helps formulate a
better approach to life.
Now, make a thankful list and then, do not be shy about
telling someone that you are thankful for them, and why you are thankful for
them—people need to hear good things—especially affirmation and
encouragement. Today. Start with today. Be encouraged. Be Thankful.
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