gratitude
Sitting now in the restful recliner and anticipating the eventual chores of the day, we are entertained by a flock of geese passing over and noisy ravens foraging the grassy field in front of the old farm house. The early rise this morning was anything but peaceful. The intense ache in the lumbar region that radiated throbbing pain in the hip was the welcoming call to rise from slumber. This visitor, insinuating itself more and more frequently into my slumber, is not a friend. It is instead a rather insistent companion. Hours removed now from the rude awakening we are grateful for the departure of the bothersome companion without having to prod with medication. An upcoming consult with a “spine” specialist may inform us whether or not the would be companion can be eliminated or tamed. Grateful for the possibilities, we move on with our day armed with thankfulness for relief and hope for release. A thankful heart filled with gratitude is the well from which hope springs forth.
Water in the old kettle atop the hot wood stove bubbles as the heat rises to warm the room. Though the sun shines bright today, the cold of winter makes itself known through every crack and crevice that is not sufficiently sealed in this old farm house. The stillness of the morning is a welcomed reprieve from the blustery winds that brought with it subzero temperatures last evening. In the warmth of the morning fire and in the presence of the shinning sun we pause to reflect upon present and past. Challenges have more often than not been turned into opportunities for growth and burdens have been lightened with a healthy dose of gratitude. Healthy reflection often illuminates the light we may often have taken for granted. Yesterday is gone, but reflecting on it in the light of today presents opportunity to brighten our path each step of the way. A thankful heart is the instrument through which gratitude brightens our vision. May we be willing instruments that grow to see the gift of grace as more than mere rhetoric. As we take it in, may we live it out!
Eager to wrap myself in layers before venturing out into the frosty morning, I grabbed the cashmere sweater and started to hoist it over my head. There it was; a large hole in the shoulder of the sweater that was not supposed to be there. This was not the first time such a discovery had been made. Just three days before I found holes in two other cashmere sweaters. I had never before seen the evidence of moths. I have never seen the bug and haven’t a clue what characteristics to look for in its identification. Yet, here was the evidence of its presence or the invasion of yet another unknown cashmere lover. No critter could be found, yet here was the evidence that the creature had paid a visit. Nine years ago I was confronted with the presence of annoying stiffness and lack of flexibility on my right side. The Neurologist said it was early onset Parkinson’s disease. Like the hole in my sweater, I had discovered the evidence of something that had destroyed cells in my brain that produce dopamine. I haven’t seen what did it, but the evidence of its work is with me every day. The cashmere sweater can be replaced, but the pyramidal cells in the substantia nigra that produce dopamine appear to be lost forever. I can’t see the lost cells, but I can see the evidence of their absence, just as I can see the evidence of the moth’s visit in the closet shelf. Also, I cannot see the God who provides a sustaining hope and inspires gratitude, but its presence is the evidence that He is here. Thankfulness in the presence of evidence creates a bond with the Giver.
Watching the ball drop in Times Square has been a New Year’s Eve tradition for many years. This time, we all headed to bed as soon as the orb had reached its destination. The first evening of the New Year was filled with restful slumber followed by the dawning of a new day. Risking the trite to uncover the truth, we inwardly glowed with joy in the thankfulness for the new day. In reflecting during the morning of this New Year the impact of realizing that every dawn is the new beginning and thus the new opportunity to live life’s blessing in its fullness filled our heart. If one has ever questioned the blessings of life by counting its challenges as burdens, one need not look further than the new dawn to recognize the opportunity for beginning with thankfulness and gratitude the new gifts of life.
She stands with ears perked as she looks out the front window. Frost covered grass in the field must look inviting to her and she is captured by the cawing of the crows prancing boldly on the old farm road. Soon she will be curled up by the sofa taking in the warmth from the generous glow of the cast iron wood stove. The bustle of the Holiday is over and Gracie the Golden Retriever can now return to a routine of runs in the yard, watchful glances through the front window and ever so peaceful naps curled at the feet of those who do her bidding. Her servants are so thankful for her presence and her aptitude for staying close at hand. Even the servant’s daughter and granddaughter stand ready for Gracie’s desire to be close and lovingly touched. The servants have been trained so well that they naively believe themselves to be the masters. In the end, whether master or servant in the mind of the beholder, it is the nature and demeanor of the relationship that generates significance. It is in the act of serving that mastery is attained, not by command, but by example.
The tin roof on the old farm house echoes the sound of the falling rain. The fire crackles in the old stove as excitement rises with the anticipation of the day ahead. Last minute errands and a trip to the airport to greet our loving daughter top the agenda. Gratitude fills this racing heart as we recall the wonders and blessings that have been witnessed this season. A new and healthy grandchild, promising employment for two of the children in need, exciting travels to places only dreamed about before, and relief from labored walking are among the joys for which we give thanks. As a time of remembrance approaches we are reminded that the greatest gift to human kind is the birth of the Savior whose often painful but nevertheless perfect life was given as a love offering for us. Neither earned nor deserved, grace embraces us with perfect love and bestows mercy that saves is from what we truly do deserve. The wonder of the Gift was wrapped in “swaddling” clothes and witnessed lying in a feed trough in that tiny town called Bethlehem. The greatness was neither the wrapping nor the surroundings, but rather the gift of new life found within. May the wonder of the Creator’s grace and mercy feed the flame of love in you this Christmas!
Heat radiates from the old wood stove as morning is illuminated through the cloud wrapped sky. Gracie, the Golden, has settled down for her first morning nap at the foot of the sofa. Vanessa, my granddaughter, still sleeps as the corner has turned to begin shorter nights and longer days. Soon our daughter will arrive for a Christmas at the farm not experienced in many years. There is still much to prepare as we approach this glad time of celebration of He who changed the course of human history. As we reflect on days past and hope for days to come we are filled with gratitude that the One whose birth we embrace in the coming days is the same One to whom we give thanks for life each day. Sometimes through pain and sometimes through its absence, we lift a thankful heart that God’s gift of grace is with us at all times.
Sun streams brightly through the bamboo shades illuminating the library den in our Florida condo. Soon we will be handing over the keys to the new owners who have fallen in love with the location and décor and want to make it their own. As we sit quietly contemplating the many blessings for which we are thankful, we are consumed with gratitude. The newest blessing has been the arrival of granddaughter Londyn Rose, who has brightened our lives even greater than that sun streaming through the blinds. Strong and healthy, she has begun her days of adaptation, learning, change, and discovering the gift that is life itself. As she physically matures we all who love her will have the opportunity to demonstrate the love that knows no boundaries; the one from the giver of life Himself! Today, gratitude is the newborn child, wrapped in her warm blanket and held in the arms of her loving parents!
Brown with patches of residual green the fields in front of the farm house lay beneath the cloud diminished sunlight. Periods of drizzling rain happen upon us as nature expresses yet another change in her never ending cycle. Warm and secure within the shelter of our home this thankful inhabitant reflects with gratitude upon the days and months past. Opportunities presented and actions taken that have yielded desired results and those which have yielded undesirable outcomes are among the collection of memories which we gratefully sort through. Memories serve the purpose of framing the background for today, not through comparison, but rather as a foundation in grace and mercy that have rendered today as being possible in our experience. As one presently looks ahead to the completion of today and the hope of another, the knowledge that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28), serves as a peaceful foundation.
Suddenly awake I lay there in the bed hoping to return to the land of dreams. The quiet permeated the room and not even the dog expressed her usual snore. Giving thanks in those silent moments took me to a place recalling people for whom the promise of prayer had been given over the past week. Thoughts of each individual lingered as I asked God for answers to each person’s prayer. In those moments of silence in the presence of communing with the Creator, there arose a sense of connectedness that brought about a state of peace. Gratitude engulfed me like a cocoon holding its chrysalis that would soon emerge as a different expression from the previous being. Lying there before the dawn, consumed with thankfulness, I recalled the words of the Apostle Paul to the church in Philippi when he said: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)