I’m so thankful I’m poor because when I go to the library to check out dvd’s instead of renting or buying them, I see kids from my neighborhood on the computer terminals and I’m reminded that most of the world doesn’t have a computer in their home, let a lone two laptops, iphones, dvds, a tv, and any number of other technology that I rely upon and enjoy on a daily basis.
"I love technology, but not as much as you, you see!"
I’m so thankful that I’m poor because in choosing to eat less meat to save money, reduce my carbon footprint, and be less of a consumer or resources, I’m more grateful for the times when I do enjoy a juicy medium-rare steak, a chicken breast sauteed with onions or stir-fried with broccoli. I think about villages that throw celebrations when a wild animal is caught because it means they get to eat meat, or weddings when meat is served as a luxury rather than something that easily comes served in nuggets or fingers.
I’m so thankful that I’m poor because I get to invite people into my life and ask for help. I’m reminded that I’m not self-sufficient, and that none of us were designed to be. From my neighbor who feeds our cats while we’re away, to my friend Gracee who lent me clothes that fit me this summer when I couldn’t afford to buy new ones after I had lost weight. Thank God for friends with great taste in fashion who are also generous!
totally gorgeous gracee- even when she's seven months preggers.
I’m so thankful that I’m rich in creativity when I use what God has provided for me rather than being sour about what I can’t afford. Rather than pouting about the prints that are too costly for me to buy on etsy, I end up being inspired and making cool artwork to decorate my home, pies to give to friends and be thankful that there are so many resources at my disposal to create things that are beautiful to enjoy.
I’m so thankful that I’m abundant in health that my body functions well and I can use it to work. To do dishes, to clean laundry, to write talks, to walk to the post office. That I’m hydrated by water that isn’t full of parasites that cause me to suffer in illness, that my feet are well covered by shoes that protect me from snow, ice, dirt and debris. That despite the heath care drama in the U.S., I can walk into a hospital if I am feeling ill, seek and receive treatment for what ails me.
I’m so thankful that I am wealthy with family and friends who love me and seek to care for me. As they say in Jamaica “a good friend is worth more than money in your pocket.” I have family that didn’t sell me into slavery like many young women around this world, that didn’t force me to roll cigarettes or bake bricks for 16 hours a day, or to be raped multiple times by men who pay to be with young sexually exploited girls in the brothels of South Asia, South America and Southern Ohio.
I’m so thankful that I experience the lavish love of Jesus as he teaches me what it means to be content in every situation. To be thankful whether I’m wearing scuffed gym shoes and dining on ramen noodles on my couch one day or clad in manolo blahniks feasting on sushi at an asian fusion bistro the next. All of it, in plenty and in want is a gift from God. Want to know how I’ve been learning to be so thankful? This helped. Take a look.
What are you thankful for as we begin 2010?
So here’s my challenge to you & to me this week- be thankful in response to your crusty anxious heart. Tonight, right before I go to bed, I’m going to bust out the new green (of course green!) journal Dave bought me and write down five things I’m thankful for. If you’re a spiritual person, or a person who follows Jesus, why not write out a prayer thanking God for the ways he cares for you? It can’t hurt right?
? In recent years as I’ve prayed, “God bless this food to my body, and us to your service” I’ve really given a second thought to whether the food I’m eating is actually blessing my body. It’s been fairly convicting to sit before a Whopper that is full of stuff that isn’t very nutritious or healthy and ask God to bless it to my body.
