Rant about thankfulness

[hittman]

In today's ever growing search for a reason to be offended ....... too bad more folks aren't just thankful for the good things they have.

This morning for example I woke up at 5 as usual. First thing that came to mind was my 7 a.m. root canal appointment! Oh the joy. The anticipation. :roll:

Then I remembered tonight I get to attend the funeral visitation for an 18 year old girl who had an AVT flip over on her Sunday evening.

I feel sure her mom and dad would love to trade problems with me today.

The dentist thought I was unusually cheerful when I arrived bright and early at his office a tad before 7.

 

[Bob Wright]

Good thought!

Being thankful for our blessings is a good way to start the day.

Old axiom:

The optimist wakes up with "Good morning, Lord."
The pessimist with "Good Lord, morning?"

"This is the day the Lord hath made. We will rejoice and be glad in it."
Psa. 118 : 24



Bob Wright

 

[bogus bill]

There was a woman in church who said "Praise God! to every sentence the preacher said. Finally it got to the young preacher and he took her aside and said, look, you are old, poor, fat and homely. Why, you only have two teeth! Why do you always say "Praise the lord?" She said, Praise the Lord! At least they meet!

 

[Big Old Boy]

I wake up each day thankful I’m still able with my wife dogs and family.

 

[Kevin]

hittman, That was a nice post. You’re right about the parents wanting to trade problems with you. Kind of puts things into perspective.

 

[Pat-inCO]

When I wake up in the morning, the first thing I do is to look up. If there are no roots
I know it is not bad. The second thing I do is to look for those IV stands, if there
are none of those, I know it is good. 8)

 

[LAH]

Hitman I'm very thankful for my days. Even the bad ones.

 

[Mike J]

Some days I feel more thankful than others but I am always aware that God has been good to me & I am blessed.

 

[blackhawknj]

Yes, at age 69 and enjoying robust health I know there are an awful of people who would trade places with me.

 

[BDM1]

Well spoken, good advice for all, thanks for reminding us of God's grace and mercy.

 

[Fox Mike]

Having spent some time in a hospital bed, both times with a room mate that was much worse off than I was I can explain to you why I am thankful. Two different guys, two different years, and both of them in BAD shape compared to me. I had tubes going into and coming out of me in various places but no matter how bad I felt, and I truly felt awful, I honestly was thankful I wasn't in their condition. It made me look around at the world in general and remember how fortunate I really am.

 

[wolfsong]

Hitman I'm very thankful for my days. Even the bad ones.

My sig line used to be "Every day is a good day. Some are just better than others."

There are no bad days.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

Well said, hittman!!!

 

[SamV]

Many years ago when our oldest child was born, she had a really rough time of it. Six months in the hospital, mostly ICU. More life support than you would ever want to deal with. A stroke, severely damaged lungs, and unlikely to survive. But she did with oxygen for several years, and permanent lung damage leaving only about 1/3 functional lung tissue. We had every single person we knew praying for years, and she survived. We believe a true miracle. Even three decades later, doctors still don't understand why she functions as well as she does, not that it is great.
When she was about year old, she lost her hearing. When we were given the information about her deafness, most people thought we were oddly not concerned. We were sent to special schools and parent support groups. In the support groups, we were the odd ones, not crying or grieving deeply over having a deaf child. Quite frankly, at that point, we were delighted that it was only deafness, and not something much, much worse. Heck, having no hearing was a cake walk at that point. We were unbelievably grateful that we had her alive and didn't really care about that particular disability. Dealing with hearing loss was nothing compared to life or death ICU stuff. We wanted her, no matter what.
Actually, I think she was helpful to other parents at that school, in that they also could see that their child's hearing loss, as devastating as that was, really wasn't the worse thing that could befall their children.
But then and now, I can certainly look around and see people in far worse situations than hers. Still grateful for all that we have, even though I may whine a bit here and there.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

Sam, thanks for the powerful comments. I'm glad you still have your little girl with you. How many doctors would encourage parents to have an abortion because they might not have a perfect child. Prayers, have worked wonders for your family.

 

[Rick Courtright]

But then and now, I can certainly look around and see people in far worse situations than hers. Still grateful for all that we have, even though I may whine a bit here and there.

Hi,

Just looking at those who have it worse than I do, in whatever fashion (and there is ALWAYS someone), is enough to keep me from whining! I don't hear it as much today as I did as a kid, but "There but for the grace of God go I" has stuck with me, too.

Rick C

 

[gramps]

I have worked in Public Health in two states. My first wife griped and complained about the “hovels” we lived in. So, I took her to visit some clients. The one, who in the winter had holes in the walls clear to the outside, where a sheet metal wood stove was burning so hot it was cherry red, and the client’s bed had snow on his woolen blanket 3 feet away. Interestingly, that family didn’t think of themselves as poor! Neither did my ex-wife after that. A good thread. Each morning I walk the dog on my property, “while the dew is still on the roses”, so to speak. We live like Kings and Queens, and we have all the disease process of royalty to prove it!
gramps

 

[contender]

Definitely a good thread here.

I too look at each day,, and thank the Good Lord for all my blessings. My family is not exempt from strife's & sorrows,, but it's our outlook that makes the difference. When I say my prayers,, it's not for me,, but it's a thanking of God for my blessings. And for Him to bestow his grace & protection on those in need.
Miss Penny & I often discuss life & just how blessed & happy we truly are. As we like to say; "You can get up each morning & it's your choice to be happy or not."

Sadly,, I have a friend,, who as time has passed,, has become more & more negative in general. He's actually a great guy,, but his outlook on life & how his has turned out,, well,,, always negative. When we try to gently offer small suggestions for help with a particular issue,,, he has excuses & complaints. His name is Bob,, and now,, between just a few folks,, my nickname is "B*#t*)i*$ Bob!
He fails to realize how lucky he is in many ways.

 

[LAH]

SamV your post was a blessing. I know a woman here whose husband was covered with a roof fall in the mines. His head took much of the weight. She was told if he lived he would never be right. She prayed Lord I want him no matter how he is. That's love. He is Pastor of a local Church & doing fine these days & her testimony will raise the hair on your arms.

 

[ronto]

At my age I'm thankful I even wake up every morning. Don't worry, be happy.

 

[SamV]

Sam, thanks for the powerful comments. I'm glad you still have your little girl with you. How many doctors would encourage parents to have an abortion because they might not have a perfect child. Prayers, have worked wonders for your family.

Sadly, We had more than one "well meaning" person tell us that it was too bad that we did not know that she was going to be disabled, so that we could have had her aborted before her birth. More than one.

Not that it matters, but this was not some genetic or developmental malformation, simply a wicked infection that my wife got that set the cascade of events going.

 

[caryc]

I think the Lord gives me things to complain about once in a while so I don't get bored with the life he gave me. :wink:

Like they say, "variety is the spice of life".

 

[SAJohn]

I have never been an especially religious man. The idea of eternal happiness bothers me because I cannot imagine how happiness can be appreciated without some suffering.

Bob is an example of holiness that I truly respect.

Sam just joined that list with his post.

A next door neighbor's son could not speak and had Down's syndrome. He was a joy to be with. You cannot believe how much fun he had with our dogs and cats. The children of another neighbor learned sign language just so they could play with him.