Oh, how I needed you, this space to think on the good things. So here are a few things from the week I’m thankful for…

For a quiet evening with bare feet dangling in a swimming pool while having good conversation, laughter, and heartfelt prayer with a dear friend, I’m so thankful.

For lavender fields, the woman who plows them, and the time to breathe in the lavender and take photos of a beautiful, sweet baby, I’m thankful.

For memories brought up from one of my sons who texts me and says, “This was such a great day!”  As I looked at the photo and remember the baseball player senior class coming to play and speak truth to elementary age students, I smiled with pride and gratitude for a day with water balloon fights and inspirational talk from students who loved a water balloon fight as much as the next kid, but who wanted to rise to the next level to be an example to the students who were watching them. They inspired, taught, and laughed (the latter making the first two make an impact all the more.)

For the call from the son who took his new fishing kayak out for it’s first voyage. In a world that’s so struggling, am thankful there are moments when we can slow down.  Finding space to do that is so important.

I’m thankful for laughter in the midst of intensity. One of my sons is home from NYC working remotely. Our workspaces change throughout the day, but sometimes accidentally collide. That happened yesterday because I was on the deck doing paperwork and went in to get a cup of coffee–and the son who was working intently  had quite the intensity all over his face, so as I kind of tip toed by, he said, “I know–My focus face is really aggressive.”  And I laughed hard. He laughed hard too. Then I went on the deck and laughed some more… Why? Part of the reason why I was laughing so hard was because I was so incredibly relieved that I wasn’t breaking his oh so important concentration and the other reason was, because , well, his focus face truly IS aggressive! (And I think he comes by it naturally…) Yes, I’m so incredibly thankful for laughter in the midst of ache, sadness, and fear. Thankful that we have this moment and can choose how we will respond to things in a world that screams of what our response should or shouldn’t be.

I’m thankful for the little girl in Walmart who had on fancy shoes that made lots of noise as she danced on that concrete floor. She had four siblings, and her name is the only one that I heard repeatedly called by her mom and dad. “MIA!”  Mia loved to dance, and she was prepared with her fancy white shoes with the loud heels and didn’t waste an opportunity at Walmart to dance all over the aisles. As customers waited in a long line with full carts and masks at the end of the day, well, little Mia was a sight for sore eyes ❤

I’m thankful for late night walks outside that remind me to breathe, look up, and thank God for what is rather than fearing what’s not.

In a world that is increasingly full of so much chaos, I’m thankful for gentle and simple reminders like this one:

“He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?”

Micah 6:8

Blessings to You and Yours~

Heather