WRITING OUR BLESSINGS AND FINDING GRATITUDE

Memories of some Alabama Thanksgivings cross my mind when each family came all dressed up for the occasion bearing dishes of scrumptious food. Some that I had not heard of became what I'd soon be making my tradition like the cornbread dressing with giblet gravy, a boiled raisin cake, and a golden pound cake with a dish of ambrosia garnished with fresh coconut.

As we gathered at the big table full of starving adults and the smaller table lined with hungry young'uns, silence came quickly, so someone could "say grace"and and the hungry folks could be fed. I wondered if our hearts were actually thankful for just that meal-or even some of the staggering things that the good Lord had brought us through?
Were our hearts full of gratitude enough that we loved the One who saw us through -the cancer that was healed, the loss of family members who were no longer here, the battles of tropical fever, the fires which had destroyed houses, but not our spirit?

Gratitude is what you have after you've "hit the bottom"and there is no where else to go, but to rise above the situation.

Gratitude is what happens when we can celebrate the chemo has worked and all is clear-even if it returns.

Gratitude is loving those who "do you wrong" and you still can love.

Gratitude may be forgiveness extended so your family can model what you do in the worst circumstances.

So now, umpteen Thanksgivings later, the youngest of the bunch reminds us of the blessings we wrote each other a few years ago. The white linen napkins lay at the side of our china plate with our name still there.

While coffee was brewing, we quietly took the colored pens and wrote words of blessings and thanks for the person whose napkins was passed to us. The atmosphere quietened and became sweeter as each wrote words of affirmation to each other until the circle around the table was complete.

Eating and drinking, we smiled as we partook of these wonderful foods. Life is best when we "write our blessings and give thanks" for this circle of love knowing that it won't always remain this way when one disappears from the way we are today- and then we will discover anew the meaning of gratitude.

BIRTHDAY GLOW

Lots of responses come as birthdays face us. From childhood, most were hilarious. We couldn't wait until we turned sixteen, eighteen and twenty-one.

Then, as the decades hit us with the reality of the passage of life often with physical problems, birthdays became serious stuff. Even the lists of birthday gifts wanted became shorter and some faced depression as they viewed  life as empty and forgot when gifts were special.

A pair of coffee mugs in my kitchen which were gifts, have statements on them that speak volumes."Give Love: Gather Love."

One doesn't realize the power of small gifts scattered through life. In fact, they may easily be  forgotten until our mind is jogged by one of these monumental birthdays.

Hours away from my present home, I worked with neighborhood children new to our church. These children were blessed with faithful Sunday School  teachers and youth leaders who constantly inspired them to work hard, serve God and life could be better. I treated them as my own children and a long bond was made that has continued to this day,even with my children. We encouraged them to pursue college and life did improve.

One of these ladies and her husband who live locally invited me to have a birthday breakfast with them. Before we left,  they brought out a huge gift, a topiary spruce tree surrounded with blooming pansies. It would proudly stand on my porch.It was a gift from three of those children who grew up to become outstanding graduates and adults with their spouses who recalled that small gift of love that permeated their lives over
forty years ago.My eyes dampen in thanks as I recall the joy that filled my heart many times by their accomplishments. It was more than a birthday gift to me today, but a mature  sense of gratitude.

"Give love" like you are scattering seeds and watch them produce. "Give love" to those you know and those you don't.When life seems futile and worthless, here is an antidote for the gloomies.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

Heaven will reveal a lot of rewards to those who scatter seeds to those who are helpless and hopeless. What a dividend!

And this birthday was a special time to be reminded of this message again!