This is Not a Thanksgiving List

Thankfulness is a funny thing. They say you don't know what you have until it's gone. And that may be true at times. But other times, it is overwhelming to think about all that you do have.

I know when I think about what I have, I have a lot.

More than I need. More than I even want at times. More than I can add to a list to stick on a blog post to tell you what I'm most grateful for (though I thought of doing exactly that). Let's face it, a list wouldn't cut it.

Because I have a life most people dream of having. I'm fed, clothed, sheltered, provided for. But more than that, I'm encouraged, challenged, motivated, comforted, and loved day in and day out. And I have the Creator of the Universe willing and wanting to bless me. Me (of all people)!

So, I don't have a cute, little list for you today in honor of Thanksgiving. Instead, I have a short piece of rambling and a whole lot of awe for the One who thought to give me the things I wouldn't even consider ever putting on a list.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Hope you are overwhelmed with blessings today.

A Story On Hope

Her mind burned as much as her feet as she took step after painful step. The young traveler had all but given up any thought that her once upon a time could come to a happily ever after. Yet she continued walking. Because that's all she knew to do. Because everyone expected at least that much of her and she didn't want to let them down; she didn't want to let herself down.

But it was dark -this road she followed.

Morning was far out of reach. And she wasn't even sure if she remembered what it felt like. Long gone was the fresh air of a new day; the birds' songs and the sun's rays. All she had now was the cold of night and her desperate thoughts that burned, but did not warm her.

Her bag, slung over her right shoulder, was heavy -full of useless boulders she was constantly throwing from her pack. It took all of her strength not to fall over.

"Help me!" she yelled out when at last she stopped to gain her breath. She was shaking now and tears had formed in her eyes. "Help me," she repeated in a whisper this time. Not sure if anyone could hear her, or if she even wanted someone to.

The traveler stood there, silently, for some time -lost in her fear and brokeness.

But then something changed.

She lifted her head slightly, wiped her tears, picked up her feet, and began to move again. Slowly, onward. And as she looked toward the horizon, she could just make out the sun beginning to rise in the distance. The birds would be chirping soon enough. She could breathe again. And she knew, with all her heart, that day was coming.

Travel Tip #86 - Storms

“And when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there would be no rainbow.” 

- G.K. Chesterton

(I'm obviously not a drawing master. But hey, I tried!)

I don't really understand the people who actually, truly enjoy rainy days. Sure, cloudy days maybe, if you happen to be in England or something and have an umbrella handy. But not rain and especially not storms! I don't think I'd mind if I never had to get caught in the rain again. No more sloshing through puddles in the wrong shoes. No more shaking my fist at the sky in anger. And no more pretending I can control the weather with my mind. (AND no more failing to control the weather with my mind.) It would be glorious. 

However, life happens and sadly, storms come with the package. 

But like Chesterton says, without rain there wouldn't be any rainbows. Storms in life are rough. It's easy to get your feet swept out from under you by high winds you didn't see coming or step in a problem puddle deeper than you expected. Without the storms, though, there'd be less smiles when the sun shines. There wouldn't be a reason to cling so tightly to hope or God's promises. Rainbows would no longer need to exist and we'd miss out on their beauty. 

Besides, standing in the rain won't kill you -it'll only make you wet.  

Life in the Corridor

Life right now is like an endless corridor.
On either side of me, as I walk down it,
There are rows of doors, doors, and more doors.
I grab a door knob, turn, and find that the door is locked.
I try another,
And it opens.
So I walk through only to find another door.
I open that one and find one more door.
I continue opening doors until I open one to find
A big, daunting door that's clearly locked.
Tightly chained.
Bolted shut.
No key to be found.
With a sign that says something like,
"Turn around" or "Not this one -nice try though!"
So I find myself back at the corridor
Trying more doors,
No end in sight.
But I know that there
Must be light
At the end of the corridor,
Though I can't always see it.
And I hold onto this hope:
That someday,
Somehow,
I will open one of those doors
And find what I've been waiting for.
And that will make it all
Worth the effort.