I awoke this morning feeling overwhelmed with gratitude. For me, such moments come all too infrequently! More often than not, I’m thinking about what I don’t have instead of all that I do have. Perhaps my adrenaline-like dose of thankfulness this morning is partly influenced by Emily and my recent return from Turkey. The experience was overwhelming and it is going to take a good while to sort it all out, but in the wake of our time there, I think I realize how much I/we have.
How easy it is to look around our neighborhood and want a different house, newer cars, a boat, jet skis, and the list goes on and on. And how easy it is to forget that these things are all luxuries, not necessities?! We have an amazing home, cars that are paid for and still run, investments, cell phones, computers, jobs, and all sorts of appliances. And I haven’t even begun to mention the important things – a wonderful marriage, friends and family who truly care about us, health, neighbors, freedom galore, purpose, ambition, libraries :), and free internet – for now.
Life is good! Yes, that is certainly a relative statement, but perhaps it is even more powerful because
it is a relative statement. There is always some good to be found, even in the worst of circumstances. How often are we attracted to tragic stories in which a golden strand of hope is beautifully woven? This is life. We can always find something wrong, something bad to think about. But, we can also always find something right, something good on which to focus.
Why is it that I feel the need to point out what is wrong to the degree that I love something? (Talking to a friend who sees our house for the first time) “Yes, it’s beautiful, but ….” Why do I feel I need to qualify, to raise the issues before anyone else can? (Receiving praise for a presentation) “Well, I really didn’t have much to do with it. The people running the program are really the ones to be congratulated.” Am I afraid that things will fall apart? Of course they might, but even if they do, I can stay together, I can find the hope, I can be a source of hope to others.
And so I’ll just say, “Thanks!” It is a wonderful life and I love living it!!
Selah!
