November 21, 2010

Oddly Thankful

Today our minister talked about things we should be thankful for. The list was a bit on the unusual side considering what most people list when the time rolls around.

The first thing I remember from his list was Paying Taxes. He said, "If you're paying taxes that means you have a job." It was followed by things like Cleaning Out The Gutters and The Alarm Waking You Up in the Morning. Each was something few people enjoy but are part of a bigger picture that we should be thankful for.

When I was in college our small group did something similar. I don't remember what my answer was, but I do remember a friend saying she was thankful for zits. She said she'd reach a point where she thought she was pretty hot stuff and a pimple was all it took to bring her back down to earth. Another friend was thankful for "all the trees around here." I should explain that in central Illinois (where I went to college) the land is VERY flat and the trees are sparse & scattered....compared to where I lived in Tennessee anyway. She was from one of the Plains states and they had no trees at all. To her, the trees were plentiful.

All of this has lead me to think I need to reevaluate my life & the things I find worthy of Thanksgiving. The Scriptures say to give thanks in all things. Not just the good things.

When my children are screaming & fighting & making me insane, I need to be thankful that they are here and healthy. That's something many parents do not have. I remember a time when we didn't think we would have children of our own. So for the next few days I'm going to try and be thankful for the chaos I live in.

3 comments:

Gail said...

What a wonderful message!

Penny said...

Thanks for making my Monday morning thankful! I was feeling kinda poor me...but you are right..we have so much!

Kork said...

Wow...just catching up and after this particular visit it is just what I needed to read.

I'm already focusing on being thankful that my in-laws have a house we can stay at, and that they are generous in hosting us!