Do you ever walk around your house and see all the STUFF that needs DOING? LISTS of things that never seem to get checked off? The LAUNDRY that seems to laugh in my face, in its never-ending trail.
The SHOES, oh my word, today I told my girls I was going to move their closets to the living room, since that is where they store their shoes anyway. I bet right now there are at least 7 pairs of little shoes scattered strategically around my house. And I dumped 5 pairs into their bedrooms late last night.
I walked past my pretty rose bushes lining our front walkway, and all I saw were the weeds that have taken over through the winter. I totally missed the light green tint of promise on the tips of their tiny leaves, a promise of the pink little roses that bless me so much--because all I can see are the weeds on the ground below.
Standing in front of that rose bed, it struck me.
How many WEEDS in my life choke out my ability to see the ROSES?
Oh, because I have so many ROSES to be thankful for. ROSES that I surely don't deserve. ROSES that make me laugh--with my head tilted back--till my stomach hurts. ROSES that sneak up on me and leave little notes on my dresser. ROSES in friendships that bless me by caring about me. ROSES in a husband that schemes with our daughters of ways to surprise Mommy by doing the dishes or cleaning a room.
I want to stop, and make a point of seeing those ROSES. Maybe here is a good place to start a list. Just now as I turned on my computer and searched "Thankful on Monday" I came up with one of my favorite blogs. It doesn't surprise me one bit that Ann Voskamp has already done this. Her writing, and peaceful music, blesses me every time I wander over to her blog. I hope you will take a couple of minutes today to read her words about a Gratitude Community and her Thousand Gifts List.
Then, I REALLY HOPE you will leave a comment here about some things you are thankful for today. Maybe if we all focus on those ROSES, we will encourage each other. Life sure can be difficult sometimes...those dang WEEDS sure can choke the life out of me.
But, enough about the weeds, right? Here--I'll start my list this Monday morning...
1. I am thankful for those sweet feet that fill the 7 pairs of shoes scattered around my house. The little pitter patter those feet make running around. Those painted toenails that speak of the young ladies they hope to become.
2. I am thankful for a husband who allows me a Sunday afternoon nap EVERY SINGLE Sunday. Many times he will take the girls rollerskating, so that I can nap in a quiet house.
3. I am thankful for the pretty wicker furniture on my front porch, upon which I am now sitting...and enjoying the soft breeze and the lovely smell of the freshly blooming Spring flowers.
4. I am thankful for the dirty and tattered American flag standing guard over our front porch. That flag symbolizes a country I am so proud to call my own, a freedom I am so grateful to have, and the men and women who every single day report for duty so that I can enjoy that freedom.
5. I am thankful for the giggling children who have used fat pieces of chalk to scribble funny pictures on my sidewalk.
6. I am thankful for the little chirpy birds that are providing a symphony for me right now. The fat, greedy Robins who are hopping around my grass and the bright blue jay who is eyeing our cat foot dish, and me.
7. I am thankful for the lovely trees that are providing the shade on the porch, their pale green Spring leaves blowing gently in the wind, their branches seeming to sway to music of the chirping birds. (Okay, but to be totally honest...I'm not really grateful for the one scrubby cedar tree...I'm just keeping it real.)
8. I am thankful for our church, our Sunday School, and our small group...Oops! Which we need to be on our way to right now before we're late...
I hope that today, you are able to be Thankful on Monday.
Oh, and I do hope you'll join me in this conversation of thankfulness...What are you thankful for this Monday?
