Thanks
How should one start a new year?
Perhaps by doing something that I'm not generally inclined to do: Giving thanks for all of the blessings in my life.
It's easy to see all of the bad, the pain, the heartache, but so often I miss seeing the good. So I'm going to try.
We'll start with the most basic: I woke up today. I have a roof over my head. I am safe. I'm clothed, warm, and not sick. I can walk, see, hear, think, and speak. There is food for today. I have the great luxuries of indoor plumbing and hot water, a washer and dryer, refrigerators and freezers, and a variety of modern cooking appliances. I have a comfortable bed where I can sleep in peace (complete with heated blanket for pre-heating.)
More importantly, though, I have a husband who loves me, and two wonderful children who do too. I have loving parents who care about me, and siblings who, though distant, I'm on good terms with. I have a few friends, and a supportive homeschooling group. There is a faithful church that I can attend to hear the Word and receive the Sacrament.
There are farmers nearby that produce food that I can eat. I have a garden where I can grow some of my own. We have chickens that give my family eggs, and other chickens in the freezer that are safe for me to consume.
I have God's Word in my own language to read, along with plenty of theology books, plus access to podcasts and YouTube videos with people discussing these heady topics. I have the love of God in Christ Jesus, and the hope of the resurrection of the dead on the Last Day. The righteousness of Christ is mine, covering my many, many sins. I have been adopted as His dear child and given His own name. The gift of (and invitation to) pray has been bestowed on me.
There is, I'm sure, much, much more.
Listing these things doesn't fix what is wrong, it doesn't automatically banish the sadness and confusion and grief. But remembering, in the midst of the bad, that there is still so much good, can only be a positive thing.
So, Happy New Year, 'n stuff. May things go uphill from here...but not in the Sisyphus sense.
-M
Next Post: Friend-justification