Gratitude
Kathryn November 10th, 2011
I have been thinking about gratitude for a while now…. I receive almost daily emails from people expressing what they’re grateful for that day. I have a blog that I follow who has dedicated her Sunday posts to ‘Gratitude Sunday’ and recently another blogger that I follow has dedicated the month of November to blogging something she is grateful for every day.
I have resisted committing to any regular, public expressions of gratitude such as these, although I’m not sure why. Maybe I don’t want to be a ‘copy cat’ and maybe I’m a bit afraid that after a while it will become something I do out of habit and expectation rather than a desire to express sincere gratitute. Whatever the case may be, today I have some gratitude to express.
First to a friend who may not realise how much to means to me that although she may not share my beliefs and standards, she is willing to help me keep them, even when it makes her life that little bit harder. I am thankful to have had her friendship and respect in my life since high school. She was probably more of a rock to me during high school than I ever realised at the time.
Second, for the blessings of a Father in Heaven. Once again I have been reminded that his plan for us is not our own. Initially that can be devastating and hard to swallow! I realised a little while ago that my ‘perfect plan’ was crumbling before my very eyes – and that wasn’t easy to accept even though I knew and felt that the path we were taking instead was the best one for us. I’m thankful to now be on the other side of that, to be looking back and seeing the things that have taken shape over the past month, and seeing evidence of a more perfect plan. It’s wonderful to have confirmation that you are indeed where you are meant to be (whether you like it or not!!)
Third, for my family. My husband – who is, now and forever, my rock (especially when I’m 7 months pregnant!). He is patient with me as he helps me and waits for me to see the bigger picture. I’ll quite willingly admit that more often than not he’s the one that’s right, it just takes me a little more time to see what he does.
And then there’s my oldest son, who is no longer a baby, and not really even a toddler any more…. He’s my ‘big boy’ and I love him. I am so grateful for the precious moments we share. My favourite moments have to be when, out of the blue he climbs up to me on the couch, gives me a kiss and says ‘I love you Mummy!’ – How do you describe the place a little boy holds in your heart!?
And although at the moment I probably do more complaining about the grief my youngest son gives than anything else, I’m thankful for gift that it is to be able to be a mother. Life is so precious, and I look forward to meeting this little man.
There is so much more I am grateful for, but words fail me, so I’ll leave you with a quote I saw recently – it’s good food for thought!
– What if you woke up today, with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?
