Good Times!
09 Sep, 2012
Good Times!
Mya, a pre-schooler, was hospitalized for a vicious infection that caused secondary-type burns over a large portion of her body. She faced needles, medicines, and painful dressing changes. Mya is a twin and twins are close, but, because of her illness, Mya could not play with her sister. She couldn’t enjoy the normal activities of a preschooler’s busy life. After five long days, the doctors agreed that Mya could go home. Her mommy and daddy were overjoyed and came to get her. Her mommy was holding her in the elevator when Mya said, “Well, that was fun.”
Ummm… What?
When Mya’s parents asked her why she thought the hospital stay was fun, Mya replied by mentioning the toys and movies and order-what-you-want food. Her parents say that the staff was wonderful, too. Still, I can’t help but think that Mya is an incredible child – able to see beyond the pain and loneliness and fear to focus on the good times.
I belong to a book discussion group. We meet from September through May and get together once a month to discuss books, usually novels that fit the literary category, but this month the book we are discussing is ONE THOUSAND GIFTS by Ann Voskamp. ONE THOUSAND GIFTS chronicles Voskamp’s spiritual journey as she seeks to list the small daily gifts that God brings into her life. She numbers gifts such as, “Laughter at twilight” and “The last cry of geese.”
I don’t know about you, but for me, I’m more tempted to list the aggravations of life than the blessings. The pimple on my chin. The big splatter of bird do-do on my window. And what? The dog got sprayed by a skunk! Again? What’s the matter with that dog?
The Bible says, “And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” [Ephesians 5:20] For everything? A wet dog that still smells a bit like skunk even after three baths? Yep. A wet dog who plants a slobbery kiss on your knee when you and your husband are laughing about the silliness of washing a dog at 10 p.m. at night after another skunk visit. The little things. You’re right, Mya. That was a good time.
Let’s learn from Mya and Ann Voskamp. Tell us one of the small blessings God has place in your life. I’ll add a comment, too.
The blessing God put in my life is a chronic illness that took my profession and many of the activities I used to enjoy, but not my zest for life, my love of ‘paying it forward’ and my enhanced ability to see and enjoy “the little things”.
It sounds to me like you and Mya and Ann have learned one of the greatest secrets of a good life. Gratitude! Thank you for sharing with us, Karen.
And here’s one of the small blessings in my life: migrating whistling swans settling like drifts of snow on our bay.
Thanks for sharing, Sue!
Our blessing: Our son was healed not in the way we planned, dreamed, or hoped, but in such a way that brought our family closer to the Lord.
Oh Cynthia, I sense so much pain behind your beautiful words of gratitude. My husband and I lost our first baby to meningitis. I look back now and see that time as a period of huge spiritual growth and also a time when I learned to empathize with others who were dealing with great losses in their lives. God was so very much THERE for us, too, in all the small things to the point that we were amazed at His providence over and over again.
Perspective certainly makes a difference, doesn’t it? There’s truth in the old saying about focusing so much on the doors God may close, that we don’t see the windows He has opened. I love Ann’s book and the realization she shares, that being thankful, regardless of circumstances, brings joy.
One December, in the midst of the turmoil of packing and a move, my hubby underwent emergency heart surgery, and just days into his recovery police brought word to us of the death of a daughter. We were all overwhelmed, and yet that Christmas turned out to be one of our best ever. Our celebration was quiet, a very simple family time, but we chose to focus on the life renewed rather than the one lost, and there was real joy.
Oh Carol, so very devastating. My heart aches for you, but you are such an incredible example of how life should be lived. The next time I think I have the right NOT to be grateful because of the small irritants of life, I’m going to remember you. Sending so much love…