With the holiday season upon us and Thanksgiving less than 48 hours away, it is easy to get caught up in the hurried-ness that has become our way of life. And yet, there are times when God, in His own way, will create a pause in our rushed and crazy-busy lives - a pause in which we can reflect on our blessings - a pause in which we can truly be thankful... For me, that pause came today - the Tuesday before Thanksgiving...a day on which my to-do list was long: errands to run, laundry to be done, bills to be paid, gifts to be made, an opportunity to sub again in 1st grade, bags to be packed, etc, etc, etc......and then God intervened and Alli got sick last night...my to-do list changed and in addition to all of the above, I added: take her to the doctor, pick up her prescription, and last but not least, take care of her and do all that I could to nurse her back to health. After all, the holidays are upon us and we don't have time to be sick or have sick children.
And yet, it was in my attempt to take care of her, that I stopped and for once, did nothing...absolutely nothing but sit in the rocker recliner with her on my lap...just holding her, hugging her, and loving her...quickly realizing that God wanted me to take this time not just to care for Alli but to truly sit and count my blessings. And so for today, I tossed that to-do list aside, even if only temporarily, and instead I made a new list - a list of all that I have for which to be thankful...yes, a list of blessings.
I am thankful for Leland - for being my wonderful and loving husband - for going above and beyond to take care of our family - for often sacrificing his own wants and desires to provide for mine or the kids' - for always putting in a full day's work (oftentimes even on a day off) - for giving of his time and talents to others - for living out the faith he so truly believes in - for being a man of character, but more importantly, a man of God - for the little things that are often unseen by others...like tonight when he told Alli if she didn't know the magic password, then she'd have to give him 100 hugs and kisses...or the way he will take Lane to run an errand with him making Lane feel like the most important person around...or the early morning conversations he and Alex often share when they are the only ones awake - for these reasons and more, I am blessed.
I am thankful for Alex - for the fine young man he is growing up to be - for his contrite and loving heart - for his caring ways - for his intellect and quick wit - for his stubbornness (one day, it will prevail in a way that is of utmost importance) - for his conscience and how at a young age, he does know right from wrong - for his growing faith in Christ and his willingness to stand up for his beliefs - for the great big brother that he is to Lane and Alli - for the little boy that I will always see him as...the one that first stole my heart the moment I laid eyes on him - for these reasons and more, I am blessed.
I am thankful for Lane - for his laughter and big smile - for his mischievousness - for his attention to detail when one least expects it - for his desire to be so much older than his 5 1/2 years - for the many ways he makes me crazy because it is thru those same ways that I find myself loving him more and more - for his precious little freckles that spot his nose - for his politeness - for all the things he 'needs' because they mean I will never lack for his attention - for his long bedtime prayers because no matter what they might include, they are sincere and show the innocent faith of a young child who simply loves Jesus - for these reasons and more, I am blessed.
I am thankful for Alli - for her strong will but sweet spirit - for her cautiousness and anxiety because they define her in a way that will never be confused with anyone else - for the way she adores both of her brothers - for the girly girl that she is and her love for all things 'bling' - for her love of dance and her gracefulness on the dance floor - for her precious laugh because it is music to my ears - for her long and curly hair and her beauty that is both inside and out - for her stubbornness because it means she will always fight the good fight and never give up easily - for her own unique way of simply being who she is - for her picky-ness because it means she has standards and preferences for which she will hold tight - for her love of Jesus and willingness to share it - for these reasons and more, I am blessed.
I am thankful for my parents, in-laws, grandparents, siblings, teachers, friends and so many others - for the many opportunities you have made available to me - for the examples you set - for all that you do - for all that you are - for all that you represent - for these reasons and more, I am blessed.
I am thankful for the trying and difficult times as well as the good and wonderful times for both can be learned from. I am thankful for my past as it shaped me into who I am now. I am thankful for the possibilities that lie ahead.
I am thankful for a loving and forgiving God - the very one who created, shaped and molded my life to be what it is today - the very one who continues to bless me when I don't deserve it - the very one whose plans for me and my life are far greater than any I could ever have of my own.
So, today, as my plans were altered so that they'd be in accordance with His - as I sat there gently rocking one of my greatest blessings, I thanked God for all I've been given. At the end of the day, my to-do list awaits but I am beyond thankful...for I, as undeserving as I am, have been greatly blessed.
