It’s been a few weeks since I participated in Thankful Thursday. I think that’s because each week, I immediately think of the same things to be thankful for:
God’s love.
My husband.
My beautiful children.
My friends.
I know you guys don’t want to see that same list each week, but it takes time to dig a little deeper into my thoughts about things I’m grateful for. And Thursday is usually column-crunch-night so I don’t always have a lot of mental energy left to focus on gratitude.
But this week, my column is already mostly written. That is something to be thankful for!
I got a good bit of exercise today (something I hope I’m still thankful for in the morning) and the kids did, too. So by dinnertime, we were all ravenous. And as we sat down to eat together, I felt an overwhelming joy at watching my kids eat. It’s just so satisfying to watch hungry boys dig eagerly into their food.
Maybe it felt especially good because earlier today I saw pictures from a friend who is currently visiting Africa on a missions trip. Yesterday I read the blog of someone who’s been sponsoring a needy child overseas and has the opportunity to go meet that child next week.
Both stories made me realize how crazy it is that I get so worked up about money—or the lack thereof—when compared to these people, I am so stinkin’ rich.
I have indoor plumbing, clean water to drink, and a closet and dresser overflowing with clothes. (Every member of my family has too many clothes.) I own at least 20 pairs of shoes but regularly wear maybe 5 of them.
I live in a solid brick climate-controlled house, full of furniture and good beds to sleep on. I have a vehicle to drive us around, and the boys got new bikes after Christmas.
I enjoy the privilege of homeschooling my kids and can’t even use all the resources I have to teach them. We own at least six Bibles, something that must seem unreal to Christians in China, many of whom can only hope to own a Bible someday.
There was plenty of cereal and milk for breakfast, and sandwiches and soup for lunch, and for dinner we had delicious baked chicken with garlic cheddar mashed potatoes and other sides. My mom hit the Kroger bakery clearance this morning and dropped off a load of bagels, rolls, cookies and a pie.
Other people in the world are lucky if they ate one small bowl of rice today.
And I have the audacity to complain about the things I don’t have, or that I can’t keep up with the Joneses? How crazy it must all seem to God, that those of us who have so much waste our time focusing on what we think we’re missing.
He’s already given us SO much.
God, forgive me when I don’t take the time to say thanks.
For more Thankful Thursday posts, click here.
Beautifully said, bless you.
Nothing wrong with being thankful for the same stuff each week, Im thanking God everyday for those! 🙂
Have a blessed TT
~Michele~
Truer words have seldom been spoken (or typed, haha)…It is the way to look at everything. We have been blessed by soo much that we often times take for granted. I thought of that this morning as I stood soaking in the streaming water for my shower. How many people in this world don’t have water to drink let alone heated water to SOAK in? And then I came down stairs and smelled the delicious aroama of the freshly brewed coffee and had another similiar thought. May we never take anything for granted and have grateful hearts for all we have been blessed with. Have a wonderful day…Debbie
Wow! You stepped on my toes. (and that’s good.) Wonderfully written, and so timely. Thanks for the reminder.
We have so much here! Thanks for sharing!
Kari, Girl,
You are a woman after my own heart… I LOVED this post and feel exactly the same way. Thank you for joining in on this TT. You are a delight and I hope to visit you again soon. BIG hugs.