Waking up. Good health. Happy kids.
These are the simple things in life that I so often take for granted.
Clothes We Needed But Hadn’t Thought to Ask For
This week the girls start kindergarten. Due to our current circumstances, we weren’t able to buy them new outfits for school. They got the basics – backpacks, lunch boxes, a pair of shoes and a picture day outfit. They have a dresser full of clothes that still have a few more months of wear before needing to be replaced. Since my stepping back from working full-time, there are just some expenses we have to say no to. A new wardrobe to compliment the start of school is one of them.We keep to our well-planned budget, but this was the best we could do under the circumstances.I was a little sad that I couldn’t give my girls a slew of new clothes this fall. But they were totally oblivious, and in fact were thrilled with their new things.
By God’s goodness and the generosity of friends and neighbors, this weekend I unpacked not one, not two, but THREE bags of adorable hand-me-down clothes in great condition and just in time for the start of school. It was exactly what we needed. I had been worried about how we would manage to replace a whole wardrobe of clothes with our current income (and been dreading the hours of thrift store and garage sale sifting that would entail). Yet somehow it never crossed my mind to ask for clothes.
As I was hanging up the many dresses and putting away the girls’ old ones that are now way too small, I realized what a tremendous blessing this was and how incredibly thankful we all are for those hand-me-downs. And it’s not the only blessing we’ve had lately.
Surgery
I haven’t said a word about this on any of my public spaces, so you’re the lucky first to know that I recently had surgery. Don’t worry, it’s all very routine and nothing to make a big deal about.
The process began back in May when I went to my doctor about a weird lump on my belly. I was literally prepared for the worst. I had upped my life insurance, Googled symptoms of stomach cancer (I have them all! Or is it polio?), and talked to my family about who would take our kids in the event that John and I both passed.
But I didn’t have cancer. I had a hernia.
The doc said they’d probably be able to repair it in 3-4 months, and in the meanwhile not to lift anything or do any ab exercises. This is all very well and good, except my employer was fighting to keep the doors open and I didn’t even know if I’d even have a job in 3-4 months!
Once again, everything worked out so that I had no reason to stress. There was a cancellation for my surgeon and they were able to get me in within several weeks of my doctor’s visit. And in spite of the fact that there was no guarantee we would have any students to teach in the fall, my wonderful employer refused to terminate the staff members. The leadership was holding down the fort and fighting back dissenters like they were defending the Alamo, which meant I had health insurance to cover my surgery.
There’s a song by Rend Collective, “Counting Every Blessing”:
I am counting every blessing, counting every blessing
Letting go and trusting when I cannot see
I am counting every blessing, counting every blessing
Surely every season you are good to me
Sometimes I don’t see right away that the gifts I’m being handed are from God. People try to say it’s just luck, good fortune, or things just working out the way I want them to. But I know that every good thing is from heaven above. I’m so humbled and thankful that God sees me in the tiny part of earth that I occupy. That He knows what I need and He’s providing it before I had the sense to ask.
I can think of so many more examples of how the important thing we needed was made available just when we needed it, but I don’t want this to be all about me. Good things come to those who seek them. If you’re not on the lookout for blessings to come your way, they probably won’t.
Be thankful.
Be positive.
Share your joy with others.
Friends, people need to hear your story of unexpected blessings. In this world where tragedies and injustice are rampant, we crave good news. You can share yours in the comments below, or with someone you encounter today. But please don’t let your blessings go unappreciated. I told you my story. Now go tell yours.
