When life gets hard, it is easy to start over looking the blessings that are still abundant in life. And wants the belief that "I have nothing" sets in, it is pretty easy to make the leap to "I have nothing to give others either." I've been in that place lately - that place of "I have nothing and nothing to offer." Last night my five year old, Logan, showed me how mistaken I was...
You know how a few times a year places like gas stations or restaurants will ask you if you'd like to donate a dollar to some charity or another as you are cashing out? I almost always donate the dollar (the only time I say no is when I've already done it multiple times). Right now, the gas station I use is doing one of those charities, and the money goes to a children's hospital, and the flyers they have for you to sign your name on and hang up picture a coule of different babies dressed up in Halloween costumes.
On Tuesday morning I needed to get gas before I dropped Logan off for kindergarten, so I decided to treat him to a doughnut. I pumped gas, we went inside, picked up what we needed, and went to the register where I was asked if I'd like to donate a dollar. I, of course, said yes.
And, of course, Logan started asking a million questions about what I was doing.
I explained to him that we were giving the baby dressed up as a bumble bee a dollar because he, and other children like him, were sick and needed help. I then chose to write Logan's name on the flyer and the cashier let Logan tape it to the wall himself. He was so excited as he carefully picked a spot to hang a picture of
his little baby, the baby
he helped.
Once we were in the car again and making the short drive over to the school he began asking me again about the little boy. I tried to explain in more detail about how we were helping him. He finally seemed satisfied, hopped out of the car, and went into school.
And I didn't hear him say a thing about it again, until...
...last night. Sure, it was only 36 hours later, but to a five year old, that's a life time!
I was picking him up from Jive (our church's Wednesday night youth program), and he was showing me his work. They had done a paper over what/who they were praying for. Logan - who's just learning to read and write - had only written jumbled up letters on his this time. I began asking him to explain what he had drawn and written. There was the usual like Iron Man and Gavin and me. And then out of nowhere he pointed to a group of letters and said, "Mom, that's the baby I helped. I'm praying for him."
I was so, so happy! My sweet Logan had recognized the beauty of what we did that Tuesday morning. My five year old child was still thinking about and praying for the children we had helped with that one tiny donation.
And in that moment, my son reminded me of some of the amazing blessings I have in my life right now. I don't have much, but I have a dollar to give to charity. I have two beautifuly,
healthy children. I have an amazing church family. I have so many blessings in my life!
I need to stop focusing on what I've lost, what I don't have, what I might never have. I need to start focusing on what I still have and always will have -
love, family, friendship, faith. Those are the things that really matter - especially now when things are tough.
So, thank you, Lord, for blessing me with so many wonderful people and things here on this earth. Thank you for reminding me of those beautiful blessings. And when I start to forget again, to loose myself, please remind me once again of the beauty you've placed in my life!
