Thankfulness: A Final Thought

Somehow I missed posting about Day 30 of Thankfulness... 

but just this moment, something happened that is the perfect thing to be Thankful for
on the last day of the meme...

Day 30

I am Thankful for the little things.

Like opening boxes that have been in storage for two years,
and discovering a nativity scene - a family keepsake that I thought was lost forever.

For finding a dozen vintage white ceramic Santa mugs wrapped in newspaper in the bottom of a box.

For unearthing an etched glass champagne saucer that perfectly holds a very special ornament.

I thought all of those items had been lost,
because I couldn't remember seeing them when I went up to Seattle in June to empty the storage unit.

I guess I just didn't register everything then, or when I returned...
but today, this afternoon, I found ALL of them!

There is little monetary value to these Christmas decorations,
but the joy in my heart when I opened boxes to discover them
just underscores the most important thing that I am learning in my life:

God is here, watching over me.
He knows what is important to me, what is dearest in my heart.
And though I certainly don't get everything I ask for,
sometimes He gifts me with something I never could even bring myself to ask for!

He knows that looking at that nativity scene calls up memories for me
of my own childhood, my children's childhood Christmases, and my sweet 'Grandson Numbah One'
playing with the donkey and the lambs and 'Baby Cheesus' under the tree
[which is how he pronounced it in his soft little voice!]
in my house several years ago when he was a little guy...  
a precious, precious memory

 

Today, my tears flowed unashamedly 

as I held 'Baby Cheesus' in my hands, 

and looked at the Santa mugs, 

and held the champagne saucer. 

My gratitude poured out of me in laughter and sobs, in prayer and wonder, 

because I realized how much I truly have to be thankful for in my life... 

from the really big important stuff all the way down to the little things.

May our gratitude and thankfulness be our focus this Holiday Season...