I’m thankful for family. I’m thankful for the sense of belonging, for the closeness, and for the coming together in tough times. My family lost someone we love this week: a loving husband, a great father, and a fun filled grandpa. It’s not easy to say goodbye. It helps to remember the times we spent together and the many ways he made life enjoyable. My dad was always teasing us, playing little jokes, saying outrageous things to get a reaction. He had a great sense of humor and was able to laugh at almost anything. We loved him for that. Mere words could never capture the essence of my dad, but he was someone I admired, someone I loved, and is someone I will miss dearly. I’m thankful for the time we had together.
Our God is a good, good Father. He has so many good things planned for us. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights…” (James 1:17) One of His perfect gifts: love. It was always His plan for love to be strong. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” And continuing to 1 Corinthians 13:13, “And now these things remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” So let’s follow the lead of our Heavenly Father, and love one another deeply, cherishing the time we have together, and creating memories that last a lifetime. I’m thankful for the perfect gift of love.
I’m thankful I live in a small town. Most of the people in a small town will never make the national news, but that doesn’t stop them from making a difference in the lives of the people around them. By leading with their hearts, they change their corner of the world. Recently, there was a family who lost their home and possessions to a house fire. The school district came together and donated appliances, furniture, household items, and bags and bags filled with clothes for all members of the family. Another town put together a Thanksgiving food bank for those who couldn’t afford to make that dinner for their families. Many churches are packing Christmas shoeboxes full of presents to be sent to needy children around the world. High school students are collecting items for the Ronald McDonald House, and middle school students are collecting canned goods for a local food bank. The list of giving goes on and on.
I’m thankful for the beauty in nature. Psalm 96:11-12 says, “Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.” That’s a great idea-to celebrate God’s creation. I’ve been blessed to travel to a number of amazing places in the United States and it’s impossible to pinpoint a favorite. Northern California with its vistas overlooking the sparkling waters of the Pacific, Lake Tahoe’s mountain views surrounded by gigantic pine trees, and the majestic mountains of Yosemite National Park are breathtaking. Seeing waterfalls flow down a river in Virginia, watching a sunrise fill the Grand Canyon, and hiking in the Green Mountains of Vermont are awe-inspiring. The list goes on and on and in each is seen the handiwork of God.
I’m thankful for weekends. I have a great job that I enjoy and get incredible satisfaction from doing, but there’s something to be said for a little ‘downtime’. The weekend may bring time with family, time with friends, or time with the washer and dryer. It could be filled with errands or filled with chores at home. But there’s a particular part of the weekend I always look forward to: the time of rest. Weekdays have meetings, deadlines, and demands, but the weekend-that’s the time to breathe. On the weekend I’m hooked up to a battery charger; the downtime gives me the energy to start another week. I’m grateful for time off and a little rest.
Early in the morning as I drive to work each day, I see someone walking their dog. It’s pitch black outside, and more than a little chilly that time of day, and yet someone is faithfully walking the family pet. The best part about seeing the pair is watching as the flashlight being carried carves a path of light in the darkness. Every step their feet, (and paws), takes is illuminated by one small flashlight. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” (John 1:5)
As a teacher, I need certain credentials on my resume. An employer would be interested in my knowledge of curriculum, instructional practices, and classroom management and discipline. On the other hand, two of my brothers are carpenters and their resumes look incredibly different from mine. I’m sure they wouldn’t be the least bit interested in state standards. And trust me, you don’t want me holding a power tool. (Let’s just say there may have been a time when damage was done…) There’s definitely a skillset to every profession.
Have you ever tried to restore an old piece of furniture? It’s not easy. This summer my niece found an old beat-up dresser at a barn sale. Somehow that old dusty, paint-peeling specimen of furniture found its way into my garage. The first thing I did was wipe the cobwebs and dust it off to see what it looked like underneath, (not a lot better, truth be told). The hinges were crooked, the paint was peeling, and some of the handles were missing. So I scraped, sanded, and scrubbed it; then began the slow process of painting it layer by layer. It took awhile and I had to backtrack a few times, but today the sparkling white dresser sits in my niece’s bedroom with shiny new handles and a whole new outlook on life.
My 2 year old nephew Benjamin is fascinated by the leaves blowing in the trees and the wind coming through the doorway. When I told him it was just the wind he said, “What’s that?” (I’d like to say I gave him an impressive, scholarly answer but my first response was “Uh…Well…Hmm…”) How do you explain what you can’t see? Here’s what you do, show the evidence. I bought him a giant blue pinwheel and we watched it spin, we looked at the swaying trees in the yard, and we watched the wind move the clouds. Even though we explored the concept, the wind still remained a bit of a mystery. But the evidence confirmed its existence, so we absolutely believed it was there.
“Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Superwoman!” This is what I’m sure people are saying about me when I ride on the bike trail. (I have no actual data to support this claim. My moderate speed also indicates people may be thinking I am taking a leisurely bike ride. But you never know…) On the trail, you will see dog walkers, joggers, and a variety of serious to leisurely bikers. Tonight while I was riding I came upon an elderly couple walking slowing and gingerly along the path. As I drew near them I said, “I am passing on your left.” The gentleman immediately grabbed his wife’s hand and stepped between her and my bike. There was something about that instant act of protection that moved me. He didn’t hesitate, and in that perfect moment, the older man became her bodyguard.
This summer my niece and her family transformed an old rundown farmhouse into a comfortable, refreshing place to live. You should have seen how it looked when they started! It needed new paint in every room, the mice had to be asked to leave (evicted is a better way to put it), and water lines had to be repaired. Ceilings were raised, the stairway opened, and more windows were added. When the air conditioning went in I believe my niece did a dance for joy (and who doesn’t love a little air on those hot and humid summer days?). The transformation didn’t happen overnight and yet they now live in a beautiful home filled with kids’ laughter, family and friends, and the soft purr of an air conditioner.