I've been thinking about G for some time and actually have had quite a list in my head for the whole week since I last posted, but I had to make time today. A nerve was hit for me today and I know it shouldn't have been but it was. A woman going through unspeakable grief commented on a blog of hers a feeling she had when a bunch of us started doing this "ABCs" of gratitude thing. It feels fake and insincere to her--my words for how I read her...I own it that is my take on what she wrote. But it hit a nerve because maybe it started somewhat flippantly, but I am choosing to keep doing this because I need to. Writing is something that has always been life-giving and healing to me. And I have been wanting and needing to write, but not having the motivation to begin. Having a reason, a purpose, a silly tool of the alphabet is motivation. I feel stuck right now, and while it's not her unspeakable pain, it's my pain, my heartbreak, my need. And it helps me to focus on the good things, the things I'm grateful for so that I can think beyond the stuck-ness. And so...my list for G--in no particular order....
- Grace ~ on so many levels, mainly God's grace--grace that pours over and fills up and sustains and keeps me going even when I don't feel like it or even necessarily feel it, but also the simple grace extended by others...not minding that it took almost 2 weeks to return a phone call or the thoughtfulness of a door held
- Grief ~ really? especially after the opening paragraph? Yes. My grief may not be as dramatic or horrible as many others have experienced. But when I look at my circle of close friends, most have experienced very little grief. My dad died 22 years ago when I was not quite 10...rarely a day goes by that I don't experience grief. And that's not the only loss I've faced. And while I would gladly trade this grief for the people or situations that are unrepairable, having experienced what I have makes me a better pastor, better able to sit with death and grief and unanswered questions. And I am grateful for that.
- Giggles ~ particularly those of Baby Girl...why is it that baby giggles are so amazing?
- Gratitude ~ I'm grateful that my life is such that I can be grateful.
It seems that I had a much longer list in my head a few days ago when I didn't have the time. Ah, well. So it goes.
*Dr. Seuss
1 comment:
i'm glad you're still going. i think sometimes what seems silly to others is just the prompt we need to keep feeling and expressing gratitude, real and genuine gratitude that is so easily displaced by other seemingly more important emotions. i know it probably seems silly that i list "THINGS i love", when i do, though i've been out of the habit of late... but some really powerful stuff has come to the surface at this prompt.
anyhow... g- is for Good for you for keeping this up.
and thanks for the tips on my blog.
and peace be with you and yours. (((((silent)))))
Post a Comment