A Little Different Thankful Thursday

This picture is from this past weekend. Usually, I just try to list some things off the top of my head that I am thankful for and then proceed. But today, I am grumpy and I was having a hard time having a grateful heart. Although I know in my head how blessed I am, my heart wasn't feeling it.

Then I came across this particular picture ( it really could have been any picture, probably). But I was struck by how much I have to be thankful for in this one picture. My heart jumps with love at the sight of my happy, little boy. But there is so much more going on here.

See that green grass and privacy fence. This is OUR yard, behind OUR home.

See that yellow line behind little man. That's a water hose delivering FRESH, CLEAN water to our backyard pool. That's right, not only do we have clean drinking water, but we have so much clean water that we can swim in it.

And, of course little man. Healthy. Happy. Wearing clothes in good condition and a brand new cowboy hat. A hat that we especially for him at a county fair where we heard one of our favorite country artists (Jamey Johnson). A fair where everyone FREELY came and went by their own choice. Some listened to music , others rode the carnival rides. Food and drink were plenty. Strangers were friendly. American flags waved in the breeze.

Sometimes I forget how good we have it because I've never experienced how bad it can be. I grow expectant, with a sense of entitlement, that somehow the way I live is normal. That, in fact, I should have more, want more, demand more. That life is about big screen TVs and designer purses. I swim in my above ground pool and wish it were an in-ground, behind a 2 story house. I dream of New Religion jeans and Manolo Blahniks. Enough is never good enough.

But then I see a picture like this one from the Children's Water Fund.

And the spirit wells up strong in me and my heart cries out in gratitude, praise, but also guilt and shame. A boy somewhere in Africa right now is thankful to drink water from a stream that I wouldn't dare bath my dog in. A child that not only doesn't get to choose what's for dinner, but probably won't have dinner tonight. A child whose mother has to watch him go hungry and suffer from disease the same way she is suffering.

And I realize in no uncertain terms that LIFE IS GOOD for me and my family. In fact, when I compare the two pictures, I have a hard time finding anything not worthy of praise in the one with my little man. And I am reminded that the life I am living right here, right now, is someone else's dream. A dream that I take for granted every morning.

A Simple Daybook

I'm blogging along with The Simple Woman's Daybook today. Its refreshing to just "fill in the blank" as opposed to over thinking a super-serious post (like I have been doing).



For Today:



Outside my window... the sun is shining and it looks, deceivingly, like a beautiful day. Too bad its really 100 degrees with who knows how high a heat index.



I am thinking... about how uncomfortable change is for me. Work is changing, we're looking for a house and my baby is starting school. Its all very overwhelming for me, and not in an exciting kind of way.



I am thankful for... my health.



From the kitchen... I really, really want to make ham and beans, but didn't get the beans last night to soak, so now I wonder what we are going to have for dinner.



I am wearing... my favorite scrubs. I hardly ever wear them b/c I like them so much and am afraid I will wear them out. But then I wonder what's the point of having something you like so much just sit in your closet. I'm like this with a lot of things, but that's a-whole-nother blog post.



I am creating... a wreath/bouquet/flower something for my grandmother's grave. My mom asked me to and brought me all the flowers, glue, etc. in a big bag. Now I just need to pull it out and get inspired.



I am going... to trust in Romans 8:28.



I am reading... 1. Making Peace with your Past (more of a workbook for a church class really) and How We Love by Milan and Kay Yerkovich (highly recommended)



I am hoping... that the hubby really doesn't have to work this weekend.



I am hearing... the front desk staff laughing. Wonder what they are laughing about?



Around the house... is disorganized. We need to have a yard sale ASAP!!



One of my favorite things... right now is McDonald's Mocha Frappes. I could really go for one this minute :)



A few plans for the rest of the week: 1. finish an application, 2. school shopping, 3. get a haircut for myself and little man, 4. go to the store, finally.



Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

My momma and gpa on her wedding day last year. I made her flower bouquet (first time ever) which is why I've been commissioned to make one for my grandmother's grave site.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week. As the pace picks up leading back to school and into Fall, I pray we all get moments of calm to be grateful for the simple things in our lives.