It seems that in today’s world a lot of people aren’t thankful anymore. Instead, they’re expectant. They expect life to be easy; they expect to get rich quickly; and they expect marriage and parenthood to be a breeze. Yet, I think we need to get back to being thankful to gain a better perspective about life.
I’ve learned that a thankful heart puts life in perspective and lessens worry and depression. I’ve learned that I appreciate the people around me more and the little things in life (such as finding five, count them, five, monarch caterpillars on my dillweed). Sure, it’s easy, at least to me, to look on the dark side. We live in a sinful world, where people disappoint, justice isn’t served, bad people win at the expense of others, etc., etc. Yet, we do see slivers of heaven–a baby’s giggle, a newlywed’s bliss, and tomatoes that survived about 5 + inches of rain.
How do I express my gratitude? I pray and tell God what I’m thankful for–and I have a lot to be thankful for–such as food on the table, a bed to sleep on, a roof over my head. I write these musings down in my journal, so I don’t forget, and so I have a legacy for my sons, their children, their grandchildren, and on down the line.
I find walking in the woods or looking over the hills near my home at sunset makes me thankful that I can see; that I can hear a bird’s call and my children’s laughter. I love ice cream and I’m thankful that I can taste it. It’s the little things in life that make my life worth living.
Even among my doubts, questions, and heartaches, I find healing in thankfulness. Who do I thank? My Heavenly Father; I know that sounds corny or trite to some, and it sounds like a crutch to others. But if I didn’t have this crutch, I wouldn’t survive in this world.
I look back over the past 32 years, which many of them have been difficult, and I see that I’m not in the furnace alone. I’ve learned that God doesn’t always, more likely hardly ever, gets me out of the tough spots. But He doesn’t leave me alone to figure it out either. Looking back over my Christian journey, I see where He’s been with me and where He’s provided people to encourage me to keep moving forward. And, most of all, I’m thankful that He has never left me alone on life’s road. And as I write these musings for you, I pray that neither one of us forgets.
Yesterday’s flat tire reminded me that I haven’t had to scrounge for my spare in the 5 years of owning our Odyssey. Thankfulness can spring up even in the aggravations of life!
You bet. Thanks for sharing, Tim! 🙂
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