I sit here cross legged on the kitchen floor in my pink polka dot pajama’s.
It’s a comfortable spot, as I lean again the stove. It’s a familiar spot, as I reflect on all the conversations had in this exact place. Furthermore, it’s a safe spot, as I write the thoughts that have been circulating in my mind.
I recall my mother bluntly stating to me as a young child, “Charlene, you can’t always have what you want.” It seemed so harsh. As a result, I blurted a whinny plea of why not? And to my surprise, she said something I have never forgotten, “Pumpkin, you must always focus on what you do have.”
Ironically, why do we quickly focus on what we don’t have before even considering what we do have?
Pumpkin. It was one of my many childhood nicknames. The other common one was, “D.” Because my middle name is Desiree, which means desired one. These two names were significant to my parents, since they hadn’t been able to have children for eight years. I was their long awaited and deeply desired thanksgiving gift and the name, Pumpkin, seemed suitable.
The leaves have already changed to vibrant colors of oranges, yellows, and reds, as the wind twirls them upon the crisp ground. Costco already had its turkeys on sale in September. My neighbor had her fall wreath up since mid July, which makes me wish eager Martha Stewart “wanna-be’s” didn’t exist. It isn’t even Thanksgiving and we have seemed to rushed by it with such anticipation for Christmas!
Stop!
Wait...
Rest.
Be grateful. Isn’t that what it’s all about?
Will you join me as we simply take a moment on the kitchen floor and consider what you are grateful for? Would you stop focusing on what you don’t have and start focusing on what you do have?
I sit here and ponder the Thanksgiving season of 2012. Ironically, I found myself on the kitchen floor. It was that exact spot, where I began convulsing with such rigid and constricting movements of my upper and lower extremities. It wasn’t my first episode. I recall flying home and being 32,000 feet in the air with my fingers crossed, as I pleaded with God to heal my body. And days later, I had another episode. It was humbling to sit at the Thanksgiving table and be asked, "what are you grateful for Charlene?" I pushed my brussels sprouts to the side and softly wept while stammering,"I don’t know why I am sick. But, I do know I am blessed to be alive.”
Months followed with countless specialist appointments and further tests and bloodwork. It taught me the art of discipline. Each day, I'd generate a simple list of gratitude and shift my perspective to focus on what I did have. Such as, the ability to run, the gift of laughter, the acceptance of tears, and the power of prayer. Gratitude through discipline brought me into a place of rest, which granted physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual healing. It clearly states in Exodus 14:14, the "Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Because "I am the Lord, who heals you" (Exodus 15:26).
I challenge you this Thanksgiving season of 2013 to simply stop; just wait for a moment; and take time to rest. Furthermore, as you gather your family around the table may you each declare what you do have. There is profound significance in focusing on what you do have and discovering a heart of healing through gratitude.
Happy Thanksgiving and be blessed by this song, "10,000 Reasons."
Charlene
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtwIT8JjddM
No comments:
Post a Comment