So Thankful…
This morning we gathered with some other homeschool families to celebrate Thanksgiving, and of course at one point we asked the kids to list the things they were thankful for. We’d had a hideous morning so far, and my kids’ answers did nothing to improve my mood: toys, cars, chairs, strollers, cups… basically just anything they saw in front of them. They were just not getting into the mindset we were trying to encourage, and I’m sure I didn’t help the situation, since I’d been in tears several times over the past couple hours and was barely holding myself together to lead the discussion.
However, the experience got me thinking, and as the day progressed I tried to be intentional about focusing on gratitude in the midst of frustrating circumstances. I am so thankful for these blessings today:
- my sweet friend who told me not to stress when I realized our celebration started in 10 minutes not in 2 hours
- our neighbor, herself a busy homeschooling mom of four, who took the time to come jump start my car when the battery was dead for the fourth time in as many weeks, even though she needed to leave herself
- another dear friend who sent her older kids to whisk my little ones away to the playground and help clean up the mess from my leaky containers of food for our feast
- multiple friends jumping to take over my clean-up responsibilities when I expressed how overwhelmed I was and just needed to go home
- A healthy 3-month old who interrupted his nursing just to smile and coo at me when I finally escaped to my bedroom for an hour of peace. Every day I get teary and praise God for him, remembering his rough beginning and how I longed to hold him while he was getting strong in the NICU.
- A day at home tomorrow. The last few days of early holiday celebrations have been too much for this introvert and I am thoroughly “peopled out.”
- God’s mercies which are new every morning. There are many moments today that I wish I could take back, but I’ll settle for moving forward and resting in His sweet mercies.
Of course there are so many things I could add, but the important thing isn’t what’s on the list but the simple act of setting aside my tears and frustration to notice even a few of the myriad blessings God pours out on me each day. Truly, my cup overflows.