A Lesson in the Cold
Tuesday, November 05, 2013 Posted by Lisa
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My children and I start every morning with two songs. One a made
up song and the other is Psalm 118:24 ..."This is the day! This is the
day that the Lord has made, that the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad
in it! Let us rejoice and be glad! This is the day ! This is the day that the
Lord has made!"
Then we walk to school, saying childlike thank you prayers, "thank
you for my teacher...my friends...recess...the playground...lunch!"
Beautiful sunny mornings are easy to make
lists but where I thought I was doing my duty to teach our children how to have
thankful hearts, I was actually the one learning. How? What happens during
the coldest mornings still amazes me.
"Thank you the school is close; some kids have to go far.
Thank you for our car, because we can drive if we need to. Thank you for eyes
and ears, I can see and hear the leaves rustling. Thank you for coats and
gloves, they keep me toasty. For this sidewalk, we're safe to walk to school.
Thank you for a warm breakfast because some kids go to school hungry..." Ouch.
In our obvious discomfort, I thought it would be more challenging
for my kids to find things to thank God for, but their lists were more thoughtful.
I found myself realizing when all is well in my life, I easily can praise God
for His goodness but when I'm keenly aware of negative situations, I tend to
forget God's generosity.
My heart was convicted those cold wintry mornings and I have
since tried to remember to press into Father God's warm embrace and thank Him,
even for the mundane. Challenge yourself to walk around your work or home and
quickly make a thank you list. Repeat when necessary!
I'll start ... "thank
you for laundry, it means we have clothes to wear. Thank you for this washing
machine that is still working! And even if it stopped, I have friends who will
help and a Laundromat nearby!"
What would your list say?
