Some of my readers know that I monthly tell my journal (blog) those things about which I’m grateful. The list always matches the day’s date.
From 3am on the 26th here in Uganda—this is my list—for whatever it’s worth. May your day be infused with thankfulness—even if in the face of need, loss and pain.
And here is my humble list.
I am grateful for:
- Mercy.
- Being entrusted with the impossible; knowing Someone, somewhere believes I am capable of at least offering that of which we are all capable—human-to-human.
- Being willing to allow the above to inform (or explain) my blessed craziness. = )
- Hearing my kids say, “Yes, Daddy,” or “Okay, Daddy,” or anything ending in “Daddy” or “Dad.” The language of relationship means more than we think.
- Notes from my kids. Content matters even less than motivation.
- This song (and I’m not sure why): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NJqUN9TClM
- Not being sure why.
- Bug spray. (It has been so hot and buggy the last few days… It’s Africa…. But still.)
- Fans.
- Electricity—and backup power.
- Forgiveness. Received. Given.
- Showing my kids and friends photos of my life past and present—capturing purpose via a medium still not fully understood through the matter of the spirit and the cognitive.
- Seeing my friends’ photos of life past and present.
- Gently placing the back of my hand on the too-warm forehead of one of my kids, and asking about their wellness—and receiving a response of hope and courage.
- Hope and courage.
- The notion that we can be better. Better than we are. Better than we think.
- The idea of being better.
- Cell phones.
- Human potential.
- Learning (remembering) what you mean to others—when they hug you longer than you expect—or shed tears when you didn’t see them coming.
- Planning flights and hotel rooms for speaking engagements in the States—one week away—when you’re in rural Africa.
- Trying to understand the difference between selfishness and self-awareness.
- The realization that poverty and abundance should not coexist.
- Working with/knowing people who get all of the above.
- Loving, respecting and caring for even those with whom I disagree.
- My kids.
9 responses to “26 Things I’m Grateful For”
i recently was in a hospital for a heart Arythnia I was anointed and healed very quickly, then even as all this played out a state agency decided they were in error and will be blessing me with a reimbursement, I went into a unbelief so much good was happening to me. I believe God is blessing me, it came to mind though, as I laid there quietly for days that I must exclaim that God hasn’t just now blessed me recently. Healing the heart issue and fixing and turning a twenty eight year financial problem into a blessing. Rather I admit, thinking about it, everyday of my life, everyday, has been blessed. Nathaniel, such is fact. I have so much to be grateful for.
Thanks for this, Tom. I read (on Facebook) about your health challenge, and have been praying. I am so blessed to hear about your recent miracles. So exciting!
thank you Nathaniel for your kind response my prayers include your children in Uganda and your entire family health and safety, you talk about miracles that part of of the world is so dangerous. Again God bless you.
Thank you!!!
I’m grateful for people in my life whose gratitude list expresses how I feel during times when I’m not quite able to place those thoughts into words. So many of your points fill my heart with love (because I truly believe), but also my eyes with tears (because I truly understand).
When the time comes for our paths to cross, my friend, I look forward to all we’ll be able to share!
Lynda, thanks for this thoughtful comment. I am happy that we seem to be co-hearts in many ways of thought. Blessings. Yes, here’s to many great convos as we make-meaning at these intersections between poverty and abundance of two kinds.
ANOTHER BLOG FROM YOU. Impacting my heart and life. Words and thoughts put together in ways that are so PROFOUND, POWERFUL, PUNDGENT, PURE, PURPOSEFUL, AND PURSAISIVE. You sir, are one of the things I am most thankful for today!
THANK YOU!
Giving thanks isn’t easy for many, but a few, like you, express it so well. I wrote a song recently that has a line that no one told me about..but I believe it: “One day I hear what I mean to YOU (Jesus)” Isn’t that powerful! We get to tell Him what He means to us here. There, He will tell us what we mean to Him and His kingdom. I love how you “appreciate” so often, so well, so sincerely! You inspire me and many!
Mom recently read a book by a neurologist who believes that God grieves for us in our absence from Him whilst here, that He misses us, and longs for our arrival. A mi me gusta. = )