Several years back, my folks bought a fixer-upper home way out in the country. Let’s just say the land was the only thing beautiful about it. Dad could see the end result, but Mom, on the other hand, she just saw all the 90’s wallpaper and a worn out establishment.
Normally, I am like my father, I can see the end result, but less than three-hundred square feet of living space had my vision impaired. New home-owners were living in my beautiful house and I now slept with my feet dangling off the bed next to the camper door and kitchen sink.
I knew, like my mother, I would be happy when everything was pieced together just perfectly. Until one day, I was talking to my sister and I made the comment, “I will be happy when I finally have a kitchen table again.” To this she replied, “Awe yes, but I bet you have had lots of picnics as of late.”
My parent’s country place has come together beautifully- brick by brick, year by year, but happiness has been there since dad drove the tractor out of the dilapidated barn, wearing his old cowboy hat.
Several years ago, I began writing in a thankful journal. My mother has been doing it for years and encouraged me to start. She told me how God inhabits the praises of his people, not complaints, and when we acknowledge his goodness to us, he shows up BIG in our lives.
In light of the Howard’s current situation, my thankfulness was falling below par. I had some BIG tangibles that I wanted in my life and I couldn’t see any of them happening. I knew I needed to get off my pity pot and start seeing all that I did have to be thankful for.
Unbeknownst to me, I found out the BIG tangibles were found in the little details of life.
Each morning, I would take just a moment and write in my journal. I began to look back over some of the things I had written that year. I was amazed at the goodness of God that had shown up in my life.
I would like to share some of the “not to personal” entries with you. It is amazing how a person’s mind will start to notice all the things to be grateful for- people, places, things, ideas, etc., but for the purposes of my writings, I will stick to those that pertain to my family only; keeping the names of other innocent bystanders at bay…
Tuesday, January 14th, 2020 – Thankful for the rain. Eva and I played outside with dogs – soaking wet!
Wednesday, January 22nd – Thankful for hot showers and space to move around (sold the camper and rented a small apartment….still waiting…ha!)
Sunday, February 14th, 2020- Happy Valentine’s Day! Flowers all around. Chuck took Eva and me out to eat and to a movie. Family Date night. (I will take all the bad times as long as I still get you)
Tuesday, March 3rd, 2020 – Thankful for our dogs. They are so much fun! Samson turned five years old today. Chuck took us all on a truck ride and got everyone an ice cream cone. Then we grilled some hotdogs for the boys. Eva made sure everyone had on a party hat and a blow horn (ha-ha!). Chuck is the best daddy in the world. Happy Birthday, Samson!
Tuesday, March 24th, 2020 – Thankful for social media that allows us to worship together even when we can’t be in church with other believers due to the coronavirus.
Tuesday, April 21st, 2020- Thankful Chuck and I are able to help others with projects while the COVID lockdown is in place.
Thursday, April 23rd, 2020- It’s here! It’s finally here! We close on our new house today. Keys in hand. U-Haul loaded! It is pouring down rain outside. What big event wouldn’t be complete without rain? It seems rain is God’s stamp of approval for us. Home Sweet Home never sounded so good!
Thursday, May 28th, 2020- Thankful my family loves me when I’m not perfect. Sometimes I fall short. I got snappy or just irritable today. There is no excuse. Thank you, Lord, for helping me to be better each day. Help me to watch my words, actions and to be graceful under pressure.
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2020- Thankful for a little bird we saved out of the pool! It was trapped. We got him out and put him back in a safe place.
Tuesday, July 14th, 2020- Thankful for such wonderful neighbors. Helpful and Kind. They came and disposed of a baby deer for me while Chuck was out of town. Maximus killed it – That dog!
Monday, July 28th, 2020 – Thankful we got to serve a meal to a couple in our church.
Monday, August 3rd, 2020- Thankful for Eva’s supper prayer she made up. It goes like this…“God is grace, God is grace, Amen. Amen. Thank you for our family. Thank you for our family. Amen. Amen.” SO sweet!
Thursday, August 27th, 2020- Thankful for picnics in the rain and seeing a snake in the creek before Eva got in! (I tried to get him with the hoe, but he kept hiding under a solid slab of rock- smart snake.)
Thursday, September 17th, 2020- Thankful I was able to surprise Chuck and get the hill mowed for him before he came home from work and thankful for picnic suppers outside (no flies, ha!)
Monday, October 5th, 2020- Thankful for our new church and a place to serve
Friday, October 9th, 2020 – Thankful for the Pumpkin Patch! We had such a nice time with our friends
Monday, October 26th, 2020 – Thankful for family movie night and cheese chips
October 31st, 2020- Thankful for this past year. Today marks one year from the time we sold our home and moved into our camper. So much has happened this past year. Life just keeps getting sweeter. Like mom loves to say, “God is just looking for someone to be good to.”
The days slip by and are lost in the past if we don’t take time to record them. Some of the most insignificant moments are really the most significant.
During this season, begin something new find a journal, and each day record what you are thankful for. It will bring a smile to your face when you skim the pages and find what made your heart beat. I hope you will see, as I did, happiness is not in the tangibles we crave, but it’s found in the little details of thankfulness.
Welcome Home
“Be thankful and say so…” Psalms 100:4
If you are enjoying these posts please subscribe below and tell a friend!
That was so good Sis!!
Be THANKFUL and say so!!
It’s so important!!
Amen!