Can You Be Thankful for What You Don't Have?
Contributor
Written by
Contributor
Written by
Thanksgiving always brings thoughts of blessings too numerous to count. Easily, I can identify what I have been so graciously given often without truly deserving these blessings. But it is what I did not get or what did not happen that perhaps makes me even more grateful.
So this Thanksgiving, I want to remember to thank God for the times He has spared me what could have been tragic news; for the illnesses that I didn't have, the financial ruin that did not come my way, the losses I have not experienced. I am grateful I have not lost a loved one in combat or a child before they were born.Thank you for the times you allowed me to avoid the accidents that could have happened, the mistakes that could have cost me more than I realized, the train wrecks that might have been. I am blessed to have avoided many catastrophes by the protection of an Almighty God.
Thank you for redirecting me from dysfunctional people and/or circumstances that would have left my life far different from the one I know. Thank you for your mercy when my judgments were poor and for your grace allowing outcomes brighter than I might have expected. Thank you for not allowing abuse, intolerance or disrespect into my relationship with my spouse or children. I am grateful to have never known abandonment.
I am so very thankful that I do not know hunger or homelessness. Things so easily had by many; unemployment, long term illnesses, tragic events, separation from loved ones because of war or other circumstances were not mine to have. I am blessed that I do not have to wash in a public shelter, scavenge through garbage for my next meal or sleep under an overpass. You have kept famine, torture and violence from my daily routines. Yes, I am so grateful for the things that might have been; but for the grace of God.
How about you? Can you offer a thanks for what you do not have to deal with? It is not what you have that is always the blessing but perhaps what you have avoided.
Share
part of the SparkPoint Studio Family
Oritte, I did check out your blog post...very nice. I really love your twitter name. It's very clever. Come join me on facebook at either my name or ONE MORE SERVING.
I'm really trying to write posts from the heart as it seems you are too. They serve a far better purpose than just what people want to here...thanks for commenting and for noting in to your friends.(PS...It took me a little while to figure out the whole She Writes blog post stuff too.)
Hey Kathy - Followin ya! I'm Cougel :). And I actually wrote a blog about thanksgiving and reference YOUR post (and I also RT-ed your post), but I couldn't figure out how to post my blog on my She Writes page (I'm new to this). Check it out when you have a moment :) http:/
Oritte and Cathy,
Thank you for your comments. Please come follow my blog and you can also find me on twitter @1moreserving. I would love to have you ladies along.
I love this. We all need to think this way, and not just once a year.
I'm shamed to realize that I actually had to pause to think about what I should be thankful for avoiding...it's a very good question. Going to post it to my twitter and FB. Thank you!