In our family...

In our family....we do second chances...we do grace...we do real...we do mistakes...we do I'm sorry (and I forgive you)...we do loud really well...we do hugs...we do family...we do love.















Thursday, November 26, 2009

Thankfully Humbled

I am deeply grateful for the abundance of love, joy, peace, friendship, kindness, grace, and support that fills our lives. Though my children and grandchildren are far away, they are always close to our hearts and a phone call away. We are extremely rich in these things of the heart.

I am also grateful for the roof we have over our heads, the heat that keeps us warm, the electricity, running water and indoor plumbing that makes our lives so much easier then my ancestors had it. I look around at the pictures of loved ones that cover our walls and the other decor and my heart swells with gratitude.

I am thankful for all the material things that fill up our home…from the toys and books, to our TV and movies, the computer which connects me to you and my children, the table at which we eat, the rocking chair I cuddle my little people in, to the beds we get to lay our heads on at night(or the recliner for me :) and the blankets that keep us warm at night.

I am thankful for the appliances that make daily living so convenient. A stove that cooks the food and the refrigerator that keeps our food cold…the washer and dryer that enable us to wear clean clothes daily. Our telephones that keep us in constant contact with whom ever we want to talk to.

I am thankful that we don’t go without eating a single meal…that we afford foods that are both healthy and good.

I am thankful that we have clothing to wear that we not only like but are not torn, or stained…that we have shoes and boots, warms coats, snow pants and hats and mittens to keep us warm in the cold.

I am thankful that we have vehicles that run and gas in them so that we are able to get to where we need to go, whether it be to work or to play.

I am thankful that we have jobs that pay us enough to pay our bills and to keep all of the above running and our bellies full.

We have so much. Sometimes I think we have too much. No, we don’t have as much as many people and I have no problem with that. No, our house is not fancy and actually most everything was purchased already used. While we live simple, we have more than enough.

What bothers me is that there are so many that don’t have what we have. What tares out my heart is knowing that there are people going to sleep hungry tonight. Worse yet, there are people going to sleep hungry, outside in the cold tonight. This brings tears to my eye’s just thinking about it.

I think about the times I have complained about my house and I think about all those that would give anything to just have a house.

I think about the times I have complained about the food in the house even though there is still a lot of food, just not food I’m hungry for…when there are those that are starving…there are those that don’t know when or what they will feed their children tomorrow.

I think about the times I’ve complained about cleaning or something around the house instead of just being thankful that I have a house to clean…and that I have arms and legs to do the work. Or the times I complain about having to cook something when I should be rejoicing that I have food to feed my little people.

Every single time I get upset about toys or books on the floor, I need to rejoice that there are children that fill up our home while there are homes that would love to have children but they are empty because of infertility or some other health issue.

Just as those times, that I have 2 loud rascals getting into everything…to just be thankful that they are healthy and have legs to run and hands to play…and that I have ears to hear them and eyes to take in their beauty.

I think about the numerous times I whine and complain about having no time to myself when there are people so lonely because they never see or talk to anyone for days.

I think about how just this morning, I complained on my way to work, because it was cold and snowing and I had to put gas into my van. How I need to just be thankful that I had the means to put gas into a vehicle that gets me to my work.

I think about the times I feel sad that my children are so far away and not getting to see them.  Yet there are people who have no contact with their children or other family members due to a drug addiction, a riff, a mental illness, they have passed away or worse yet, because they have gone missing.

The fact that I have a close relationship with each of my children and grandchildren in spite of the distance  leaves me grateful. I live in a loving, peaceful(for the most part :) joy filled home with a wonderful husband, that treats me like a queen with 2 very happy healthy children.

Yet I am sad and my heart aches. I cannot stop thinking about those outside of my house.

Yes, tonight I think of the lonely, the depressed or mentally ill, the sick, the homeless, the hungry, the barren woman that desires a child, the shut in’s, the jobless, the broken hearted and the poor in spirit. I think of those that are suffering in silence tonight while I get to share with you, in my nice warm peaceful house.

I am humbled. Because I have too much to be complaining about anything.

While I am thankful that I am surrounded by such richness in my life, I am sad and my heart literally aches for those that don’t have tonight. I do reach out in some ways already and I pray, but the constant nudging at my heart is saying to me that this is not enough.

I must do more. I have been feeling this for quite some time. Some idea’s have been getting sent my way recently. Various people have unknowingly been planting seeds and it’s time to start watering them. I know I am being called to do something but not sure exactly what. All I know is, I must listen to my heart.

I want to say thank you to each one of you that give of yourselves in one way or another. Thank you for giving.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. I hope you know I am thankful for you!

Love & Hugs, Lori

 

 

19 comments:

Beth said...

You are such a sweetie! Happy Thanksgiving!

gram said...

Lori, You and your family have a real nice Thanksgiving! We all have so much to be thankful for.
take care!

mommytoalot said...

That was beautiful and certainly an eye opener. Something we all can relate to. God bless you on this Thanksgiving.
Lisa

Brian Miller said...

thanks again for the smiles. richness and poorness seems to have little to do with the things we have, as much as the people we get to spend it with. thanks for being one of those. happy thanksgiving to you and yours!

Buckeroomama said...

Happy Thanksgiving, Lori.

May your 'calling' be clear soon. Whatever it is, I think you are doing 'something' with these wonderful posts you write, these gentle reminders to all of us. Thank you, Lori. :)

Anonymous said...

This was the most well written Thanksgiving post I have read. Lori! Thank you! Thank you for being my friend and forgiving me when I lapse behind you in my reading and communications. This post says it all and I don't even feel a need to write today because it filled me up with all the things I feel and needed to hear to remind myself of. Happy Thanksgiving Day to your house from ours.

Pseudo said...

I am thankful to have you for a bloggy friend. You're the sweetest. Happy Thanksgiving Lori ;-)

Anonymous said...

What bothers me is that there are so many that don’t have what we have. What tares out my heart is knowing that there are people going to sleep hungry tonight. Worse yet, there are people going to sleep hungry, outside in the cold tonight. This brings tears to my eye’s just thinking about it.

Me too!

This was lovely insight into you. Thanks for visiting me and glad I found your blog!

Anonymous said...

So beautifully written, Lori! Every day should be Thanksgiving, but as humans, we tend to sometimes take our lives and the things we do have for granted. What an awesome reminder to be thankful, even for our meager things, because those less fortunate would be happy to have them.
Happy Thanksgiving, dear one :)

Hilary said...

Listening to your heart is a wise decision. Clearly it possesses much beauty. Have a wonderful day, and thanks for brightening mine.

Susan said...

Happy Thanksgiving Lori!!!

Bogey said...

As I was reading your words Lori, I couldn't help but smile at the thought of your fingers trying to out race your thoughts. Taking the time you did to take inventory of your gratitude tells me more than the words themselves.

And just so you know, every time you visit my blog and leave such kind words, tells me how much thought you put into the words I write. Never believe for a second that you should ever prevent yourself from speaking from your heart as you do. I am just grateful that what I write can have such an impact on anybody.

I truly hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoyed as many of your friends and family as was possible.

Smart Mouth Broad said...

I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful. I didn't find a minute to get around to visit yesterday like I wanted to but we had a great time.

You, my dear, have the biggest heart ever.

Hugs,
SMB

Laura said...

Your heart is certainly as full as the deepest thankfulness. May your seeds grow and prosper.

Jo ~ said...

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

MaggieGem said...

What a wonderful post for Thanksgiving! You sound like a warm and caring person and I hope your calling comes to you soon, I think whatever you find it to be it will be fantastic!

Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving you comments!

Midnitefyrfly said...

"Amen" with love, warmth, and understanding, I give you ((HUGS))

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Hi, Lori! Thank you for stopping by to visit me, and for leading me here to read your lovely post...and to discover a beautiful woman, YOU, with such a warm and compassionate heart!!! I love making new friends, and I am delighted to meet you! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!! God bless you!! Looking forward to getting to know you better! ~Janine XO

Jacquelyn Stager said...

A beautiful Thanksgiving post. Thanks so much for giving everyone who reads it a much needed perspective. Hope you are feeling a little better today!