I am thankful for small group study.
One day a week, I meet with my associate pastor to help lead a small group of high school girls in a morning bible study. Although it's certainly difficult dragging myself out of bed two hours earlier than I normally would and fighting traffic to make it to our sessions, I am thankful for the opportunity to see the stories of the bible through the eyes of these young ladies. Although in many ways I am reminded of why I never really related to girls my own age when I was in school, it is a terrific learning opportunity for me to study the word of God with these young women. I have learned some surprising things about myself in the process as well. I pray God blesses each of them, and that I may in some small way serve them through our study.
Monday, January 7, 2013
A Year of Thanks - Jan. 6
I'm thankful for lazy days.
I didn't feel particularly well today. I wasn't really sick, but neither was I at my best. Although there were things that needed to be done, I lacked the energy or motivation to do any of them. And so I didn't. I didn't do my laundry. I didn't run any errands. I didn't work on cleaning out the basement. I didn't even change out of my pajamas. All of those things needed to be done, but instead I let the day slip by without ever even opening my front door. And I'm thankful for that. I know that may make me seem lazy. But at the heart of it, what I'm truly thankful for is the fact that in my life, I'm allowed to get away with such a lazy Sunday. My basic needs of food, clothing, shelter, are more than fulfilled, such that there was no need for me to go out and work for any of them that day. Although there were plenty of things I could [should] have been working on, I didn't HAVE to do anything just to ensure my continued safety/comfort/health. And for that I am thankful.
I didn't feel particularly well today. I wasn't really sick, but neither was I at my best. Although there were things that needed to be done, I lacked the energy or motivation to do any of them. And so I didn't. I didn't do my laundry. I didn't run any errands. I didn't work on cleaning out the basement. I didn't even change out of my pajamas. All of those things needed to be done, but instead I let the day slip by without ever even opening my front door. And I'm thankful for that. I know that may make me seem lazy. But at the heart of it, what I'm truly thankful for is the fact that in my life, I'm allowed to get away with such a lazy Sunday. My basic needs of food, clothing, shelter, are more than fulfilled, such that there was no need for me to go out and work for any of them that day. Although there were plenty of things I could [should] have been working on, I didn't HAVE to do anything just to ensure my continued safety/comfort/health. And for that I am thankful.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
A Year of Thanks - Jan. 5
I'm thankful for healing in Stephanie.
Stephanie is a friend of mine who was badly injured in an accident several months ago. Since then, she has spent nearly three months in the hospital, has had multiple surgeries, and been through unimaginable pain. Her journey to healing is far from over, but she has made the most remarkable strides.
Although I've been receiving regular updates on her progress, I saw her tonight for the first time since before the accident. She is still in a wheelchair, with something of a bionic leg, but her spirit is remarkable. The attitude she has maintained throughout this ordeal, and the faith she has held, encourage me and do so much to restore my own (spirit, attitude, faith).
I don't want to seem to demean in any way here the importance of the miracle of her survival of what could very easily have been a fatal incident. I am thankful beyond words, naturally, for that miracle. I think it a remarkable example, however, of the grace of God -- and here is where I hope not to be misunderstood or thought insensitive -- that there have been perhaps more lives touched by her trial through the growth that has occurred since and the number of people who have benefited through the witness and testimony of her journey, than had she not survived the accident at all. It is truly an example of how God, not being responsible for the bad things that happen in our lives, can still use the most tragic events to bring about good. Thanks be to God Almighty.
Stephanie is a friend of mine who was badly injured in an accident several months ago. Since then, she has spent nearly three months in the hospital, has had multiple surgeries, and been through unimaginable pain. Her journey to healing is far from over, but she has made the most remarkable strides.
Although I've been receiving regular updates on her progress, I saw her tonight for the first time since before the accident. She is still in a wheelchair, with something of a bionic leg, but her spirit is remarkable. The attitude she has maintained throughout this ordeal, and the faith she has held, encourage me and do so much to restore my own (spirit, attitude, faith).
I don't want to seem to demean in any way here the importance of the miracle of her survival of what could very easily have been a fatal incident. I am thankful beyond words, naturally, for that miracle. I think it a remarkable example, however, of the grace of God -- and here is where I hope not to be misunderstood or thought insensitive -- that there have been perhaps more lives touched by her trial through the growth that has occurred since and the number of people who have benefited through the witness and testimony of her journey, than had she not survived the accident at all. It is truly an example of how God, not being responsible for the bad things that happen in our lives, can still use the most tragic events to bring about good. Thanks be to God Almighty.
A Year of Thanks - Jan. 4
I'm thankful for pedicures.
I realize how shallow that probably seems, but I am. More specifically, I'm thankful for the opportunity to share in an activity with a friend that allows us the chance to catch up with each other while being pampered and spoiling ourselves a little bit. There are so many valid reasons for not indulging in such a treat, it can actually be hard to get one without feeling guilty about it. But that sort of self-indulgence is needed from time to time, I believe. Allowing ourselves to be taken care of or treated every now and then refreshes the spirit, and renews us for taking care of others. Having a friend call up and suggest it was just the excuse I needed this time to do something for myself without feeling entirely lazy/selfish about it, and made all the difference in my day; for that, I'm thankful.
A Year of Thanks - Jan. 3
I am thankful for my dance troupe.
I am so thankful to have found a group of ladies to learn and dance with. Our backgrounds and interests are so varied, yet we're united in this one common interest and are able to have so much fun together. All week long I look forward to dance night, and I rarely give it up for any other activity. No matter what kind of mood or I'm in or day I've had, I always feel great after dance. I'm sure this won't be the only time this year that I express my thanks for the troupe in one way or another, but I am truly grateful for all that I've gained through the troupe being a part of my life.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
A Year of Thanks - Jan. 2
I am thankful for the ability to recognize excess. Recognizing it is the first step to avoiding it (although there are most certainly many more steps in between).
My mother decided to remodel the guest bathroom over the holiday -- meaning I spent New Year's day hanging over the toilet (installing linoleum). We went shopping today for a new shower curtain and other finishing accessories. As we browsed through assorted bathroom sets I couldn't help but be struck by the absurdity of them. Waste bins - designated for bathroom waste, at that - for $50. Shower curtains - that must have been spun from the tails of unicorns, for what they were charging for them. Row after row of plush, luxurious towels -- clearly intended for decorative purposes, only. It was as we were debating whether we should purchase one or two of these never-to-be-used-for-their-intended-function towels, that I began to balk at the whole thing. As I helped my mother pick out towels that will likely never dry a drop of water, I certainly couldn't help but to think of the many who could never imagine such luxuries/absurdities.
Now, I'm not going to take any stance here saying that we should rebuke all material goods or that we shouldn't live in comfort, whatever that might mean for us. And I certainly wasn't going to have the conversation with my mother about the needlessness of these towels. (What a long and useless conversation that would be.) But I am thankful that I have enough of an awareness to stop and think of such things. No, it's not the same as doing something about it, and I'm not patting myself on the back for it. But I will note it, and remember it, and allow it to color my own future actions. I am thankful I am not blind to such things, so that I may attempt to help others through my sight, in some way small or large.
My mother decided to remodel the guest bathroom over the holiday -- meaning I spent New Year's day hanging over the toilet (installing linoleum). We went shopping today for a new shower curtain and other finishing accessories. As we browsed through assorted bathroom sets I couldn't help but be struck by the absurdity of them. Waste bins - designated for bathroom waste, at that - for $50. Shower curtains - that must have been spun from the tails of unicorns, for what they were charging for them. Row after row of plush, luxurious towels -- clearly intended for decorative purposes, only. It was as we were debating whether we should purchase one or two of these never-to-be-used-for-their-intended-function towels, that I began to balk at the whole thing. As I helped my mother pick out towels that will likely never dry a drop of water, I certainly couldn't help but to think of the many who could never imagine such luxuries/absurdities.
Now, I'm not going to take any stance here saying that we should rebuke all material goods or that we shouldn't live in comfort, whatever that might mean for us. And I certainly wasn't going to have the conversation with my mother about the needlessness of these towels. (What a long and useless conversation that would be.) But I am thankful that I have enough of an awareness to stop and think of such things. No, it's not the same as doing something about it, and I'm not patting myself on the back for it. But I will note it, and remember it, and allow it to color my own future actions. I am thankful I am not blind to such things, so that I may attempt to help others through my sight, in some way small or large.
A Year of Thanks - Jan. 1
I am thankful for slow news days.
The 6:00 news today was filled with person-on-the-street interviews of people's thoughts on the rain we're having. Mind you, there is nothing special about this rain. It's not pouring. There's no flooding. No roads or services are shut down because of it. It's just a slow, constant drizzle sort of day.
At first I found it rather laughable that they spent so much time on this nonevent, clearly lacking other news stories for the day. But then I found myself quite thankful that this was the case. After the wretched weeks of coverage of the tragic Sandy Hooks elementary school shootings before Christmas, I was immensely thankful that there were no more "exciting" happenings to be reported on in the new year than weather that could be at best described as unpleasant.
May 2013 be filled with more slow news days for us all.
The 6:00 news today was filled with person-on-the-street interviews of people's thoughts on the rain we're having. Mind you, there is nothing special about this rain. It's not pouring. There's no flooding. No roads or services are shut down because of it. It's just a slow, constant drizzle sort of day.
At first I found it rather laughable that they spent so much time on this nonevent, clearly lacking other news stories for the day. But then I found myself quite thankful that this was the case. After the wretched weeks of coverage of the tragic Sandy Hooks elementary school shootings before Christmas, I was immensely thankful that there were no more "exciting" happenings to be reported on in the new year than weather that could be at best described as unpleasant.
May 2013 be filled with more slow news days for us all.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)