And Be Thankful
A couple of weeks ago I arrived at church not feeling very thankful. I had been working nights and weekends because of a couple of bigger-than-expected projects, I was going into a holiday season where I wouldn’t see as much of my kids as I would like, and I kept looking around church and seeing couple after couple after couple. (My status update: still single.) I was grumpy and not expecting much from the church service.
An hour later, my attitude was completely changed. During the service, our worship arts pastor and his wife shared their story. Their grown daughter was killed in a car accident not long ago. They talked about their trauma and their grief, but also the peace that God gave them in the face of great tragedy. It was a powerful story, and I left the service with tears on my face. Tears for Leo and his family, but also tears for myself. I kept thinking about how I would feel if such a thing happened to one of my sweet little girls. I can’t imagine a deeper grief.
Yes, I work more than I would like. Yes, my parenting plan says that my daughters only spend 40% of their time with me. Yes, I’m still single and wish I wasn’t. My life isn’t what I hoped it would be. But I left that church service deeply thankful for the blessings in my life, especially my daughters. I have an 11-year-old who is creative and caring and clever and whose imagination never stops. I have a 6-year-old who loves to run and to cuddle (sometimes at the same time with her “attack hugs”) and who constantly surprises me with her thoughts and ideas. I have a dog who hasn’t chewed up the kitchen floor in weeks, a house that’s small but cozy, an income that supports me and my kids, friends who care about me and come over to play board games, and a family that loves me.
The November sermon series was titled “And Be Thankful.” The title comes from Colossians 3:15: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” As I was leaving church that day a couple of weeks ago, I picked up a little square card with the sermon series logo on it. The back of the card has service times and directions. The cards are meant to be used to invite friends to church. I took my card, however, and wedged it into my car’s dashboard. Now, every time I get in the car, I see that phrase, “And Be Thankful,” and I’m reminded of that day at church and all that I’m thankful for. That little card has made a big difference in my attitude these past few weeks. I’m so blessed.
Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you feel blessed today, too.