Thursday, October 18, 2012

Falling Again Into Thankfulness

This time of year is so nostalgic.  The leaves turning, the cool, crisp air.  I love it.  It feels like home.  It feels like a warm, baked apple crisp and burning candles that smell like pumpkin.  As the leaves change, and fall, the winter is close behind.  The holidays. The rush, and all that comes with it.  I've always thought that it was a good thing that Thanksgiving came first, as it prepares us for the joy of Christmas. It prepares our hearts. We go into a modern day, rush around, materialized holiday, or we should, in awe of what all God has given us.

Thanksgiving has always been such a special time of year for me.  Thinking back to family gatherings at Grandma & Grandpa's house ~ I can't help but share the very reason we celebrate.  THANKFULNESS.  Honestly, friends, I have so many things to be thankful for. It would be hard to share them all here.  There's the obvious things.  My family.  My girls. My husband.  My home. A good job.  So many dear friends. My Mom, my sister and my brothers.  My health. God has been good to me, and for that I am so grateful.  How could I ever say, "thank you" enough?

Now, in reality, sometimes it's hard to be thankful, right?  It's hard to say, but it's true.  There's those who are without jobs.  There are those who suffer with depression, Those who are lonely.  And unfortunately, there are those who have said goodbye to loved ones.  There are those who are suffering with cancer.  Honestly, friends, I've been in every one of those circumstances.  I've been without a job, suffered with depression, been lonely, said goodbye to loved ones, and I've seen, first hand, the hurt, grief and pain that cancer can leave in its path.  No, I don't have any resolutions or revelations on the "whys" and "why mes".  But I can say this.  I'm thankful.  Every one of those valleys that I've been in; I've come out.  I'm thankful that I had friends and family that stood by me.  Held my hand. Prayed for me. Loved me. I'm thankful that through the pain, God said, "You might not understand, but you will survive!".  We can, in everything, give thanks.  That's what I will choose to do. In the mean time, I will cry with those who are hurting and suffering. My heart aches for the brokenhearted, but like I've always said, "Hang on...because after the rain, the sun will shine again."

Hold on to the ones you love.  Take a long walk in this beautiful, fall weather.  Bake a pie, have a bonfire, help your neighbor....heck, just go outside and soak up this wonderful season.  FALL into thankfulness.  Gratitude is such a wonderful state of heart.



Journey On,

Leigh Ann



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