“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” Aesop.
Gratitude is taking the time to be positive about things in your life: health, family, friends, home. You’ve heard the saying, “God doesn’t give you more than you can handle.” It’s been 29 years since those words spewed from my mouth. We tried for over eight years to have a baby and I was finally pregnant (with twins!). At ten weeks I lost them. Can you say devastated? Within a week or so my mom had a mammogram which came back suspicious. I said, “Don’t worry mom, they say God doesn’t give you more than you can handle, and I couldn’t handle that right now.” Guess what? It was cancer. Was God saying, “Ha, Colleen. You are stronger than you think!” Looking back, I am grateful for that period in my life or I wouldn’t have our miracle son, Peter.
During the past month and who knows for how much linger we’re staying at home and practicing social isolation, hopefully healthy, and thinking about and praying for the people in essential jobs who have to go out and work…
If going through this time hasn’t produced enough anxiety for people, on the evening of April 9, many areas in the US had bad storms. After a beautifully sunny, warm day, about 10 p.m. our time, the storms hit. Within seconds, the sirens were wailing, the wind was blowing, the lights flickered, and there was a loud boom; darkness ensued. We all headed to the lower level of the house. Okay, no electricity, but we’re okay. The storms were over.
Looking on the bright side of life
Woke up to Steve’s phone ringing (trees and electrical lines down). Off to work. This morning, I woke to blue skies, the shining sun, and a crisp, cool breeze. Peter made coffee with his French press. With the sun glowing through the windows, we sat in the living room conversing and laughing. Grateful for special time with Peter and Abbey.
Time for my morning walk through the neighborhood; turned down one of the side streets, and my mouth dropped open. A huge tree branch pierced through the top of what was once a lovely home. Thankful my home didn’t take a huge hit.
Back after my walk, Peter and I went outside to pick up the limbs and branches scattered through the yard. A few hit our sunroom roof, but all was okay. While gathering debris and carrying it to the firepit area I heard Peter say, “the greenhouse roof is gone.” I looked up and walked over, stunned. Tears welled in my eyes. I love gardening. I had just planted seeds last week. Last year our home insurance was upgraded. The person who came to check the property didn’t realize the greenhouse was part of our property; the error was fixed. To say I’m grateful is an understatement; we shall see what happens.
It’s going to be okay
Yes, right now we’re socially isolated. People may have the kids around 24/7. Parents may have to handle working at home as well as arranging school schedules online, but if we aren’t sick, if we have a roof over our heads, and if we are able to work and if we have family around (virutally counts!), we are blessed.
I found a new saying today,
God won’t give you more than you can bear. He might let you bend but he won’t let you break.”
We’d love to hear what you are doing to practice gratitude. Are you discovering the good in the small stuff? We look forward to your comments. Peter and I are available if you want to chat – about anything. Schedule a time here.
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