Thursday, November 25, 2010

Thankful Thursday--Creeping up on me again

Just when I start to feel dread because Christmas is coming. When I feel bogged down at the thought of all that shopping. When I get anxious thinking about all the work I need to stuff into the break from classes. When I feel dumbfounded because the entire year is almost over and I seemed to have accomplished so little. When I wonder if there can possibly be enough money to do all the things that come with the season. When cases of the "gimmes" begin to pop up with relentless energy.

Then.

I see Christmas lights on the house of someone who clearly isn't kidding around about decorating and who has the entire house and yard shining bright even as we are driving home from Thanksgiving dinner. And there is Christmas music on the radio, forcing its warm fuzziness all over me. And the games and conversation and food bring the family together and we are a whole, unbroken (rather large and loud) circle again. And the timeless story of divine love for humanity envelopes my children and me, too.

Just when I think I've outgrown the mystery and moved past the miracle . . . I am overwhelmed by the love, the hope, the God who literally goes to the ends of the Earth to find us and save us from ourselves. Just when I'm thinking of enumerating my list of complaints--

The only word that floods my mind is Thankful. Thankful. Thankful. Thankful. Thankful.

4 comments:

Good Enough Woman said...

Well said, Steel. My thoughts exactly. But then the shopping and shipping obligations creep back in and I think, "Why do we do this to ourselves? All the shopping and shipping? When we could just be enjoying the warm fuzziness."

Happy thankfulness!

The Steel Magnolia said...

My answer to the "why do we do this?" question: Gift cards! I figure, if I'm giving you a gift, you should know by now that I hate shopping!

Happy thankfulness right back at ya! Thanks!

evenshine said...

Loved this. Thankful for you!

The Steel Magnolia said...

How sweet, Evenshine! Thank you!