This past weekend was a weekend of ups and downs for our family. It was a typical, busy weekend just as most of our weekends are.
Along with the hustle and bustle of life, sometimes we forget how truly blessed we are and to give thanks for the real blessings in life, our family, friends, health and wellness.
Along with Jason trying to plant corn, the twins each losing a tooth, taking our oldest to the 4-H district speech meet all day Saturday, spending time with Grandma and Grandpa, a birthday party, tilling the garden, and a softball game REAL life happened.
These are all real events that happened to people we know this weekend: a mild heart attack, a critical car accident, an attempted suicide by a bullied child, and a death of an elderly friend.
All of these tragic events caught me off guard and really slapped me in the face. What if it was my child being bullied? What if it was my husband in the car accident, what if it was one of my parent’s having the heart attack, or my grandparents passing away?
We all get so busy with life that we can let the important things in life (praying, going to church, telling our family how much we love them, spending alone time with our spouse and hugging and kissing our children to name just a few) slip as we wade through the jumbled schedules of our lives.
All of these bring me to my point…have you given thanks today for what you have?
Have you thanked God for your precious child when that child is pushing your buttons by leaving toys all over the floor? Somewhere there is a mother who would love to have that child back that she lost, to clean up those toys one more time and tell that child that she loves him or her so much! Have you told that child that you love them, their creativity, and are so grateful that God gave you that precious child?
Have you ever given thought to the woman dealing with infertility that would do anything to have a child and love to have one in her home leaving toys all over the floor?
Have you thanked God for the parents you have? Somewhere there is a child, whether 5 years old or 55 years old who has lost a parent and yearns to have that parent back! Have you told your parents how much you appreciate them or the sacrifices they’ve done for you?
Have you thanked God for your husband? Somewhere there is a widow, mourning the loss of the one they love. Have you told your spouse how much he means to you? Have you treated him with kindness, respect, and love?
Have you thanked God for friends you have? Somewhere there is a lonely person who has been bullied, abused, and feels that no one cares. Have you let your friends know how thankful you are to have them?
What is it that you need to thank God for today? After doing that, please do me a favor and tell someone how much they mean to you. We live in a broken, sinful world. People need uplifted, in prayer and in person!
This is a great reminder! We can be so ungrateful sometimes, when we don’t take the time to stop and look at all God has blessed us with. But there is always something (many somethings) to be thankful for! Found you at Thrive@Home. Hope you thrive today!
There are so many heart-breaking things happening to so many in our community – and just the struggles in the daily – Yes, I’ve had a son bullied – where someone pulled a knife on him and said he would kill him with it the next week, lost a FIL to cancer – and am in the midst of raising 5 boys to men – some coachable, some who have to learn through experience – and the one thing I know – God is good! God is always good! I wouldn’t want to walk through the challenges of the daily without Him:) Thank you for reminding me!
Wishing you blessing this week, that you find the love letters He sends you in the daily:)
~Maryleigh
bluecottonmemory recently posted…A Heart like the Widow’s Jar
Jenny,
I saw this post as a part of a Bowl Full of Lemons and was drawn to the title. Thank you for reminding us to be thankful…for things so overlooked in the whirl of events that take place daily. Thank you, too, for additionally making us aware to LIVE….right now. To embrace each minute instead of keeping our mind on the future or the past. My prayer lately has been that God would help me to….’renew my mind, to continually think on the things that are beautiful, true, lovely, of good report, etc. It has caused me to turn off the television more and more and to bask in wonderful music and sounds of nature. Even listening to the peace….the quiet of the night and rejoice. All that to say, thanks again for reminding us….of thankfulness.
Looking forward to more of your posts…..I, too, was raised on a farm …..in central Michigan….and later raised horses in the Midwest….it is good to know people like you are out there. Blessings!
Thank you for stopping by! Being present in the moment is one of my major goals of 2014. 🙂 Thank you for your kind words!
I love this reminder about gratitude, especially for our beautiful children. I actually just wrote about this on my blog, as we’re facing losing a loved one, and reminding myself to focus on gratitude has been the one light on this dark journey. Here is the link, in case you are interested: http://mommyatozblog.com/2014/05/13/b-is-for-blessings/. Wishing you and your loved ones the best. – Meredith
Meredith@MommyAtoZ recently posted…B is for . . . Blessings
Jenny, your post was next to mind in a link up and fits so well with the words that I woke up to this morning. We have much to be thankful for although we can easily forget it in the hustle and bustle of life. Your words a great reminder to us all. Have a great rest of the week.
Wanda recently posted…Topping Off Thankfulness
Thanks for stopping by! I’ll be over to check yours out 🙂
I agree.. so often we caught up in the dailies that we forget just how blessed we are… I often give thanks for my washing machine right after my toddler has a potty accident in order to focus on my blessings…
Thanks for sharing with Salt & Light
Marissa
Marissa recently posted…A Cradle Catholic…
Jenny, Thanks for the reminder that in ALL things to give thanks!! No matter WHAT is going on, we can always find so much to be thankful for!! Thanks for sharing at Wake Up Wednesday 🙂
Joann @EuchreFun recently posted…Charity Euchre FUNdraiser – May 22 – Shelby Township, MI