A Week of Tender Blessings

Sometimes writing a ‘Focus on it Friday’ post is difficult as I try to pinpoint one specific experience during the week for which I am thankful.  It’s not that I can’t think of a moment, but I’m not sure how to capture the experience through my writing or convey it in a way that sounds eloquent and thoughtful.  As I was struggling for ideas and words this morning, the thought hit me that the point of this exercise is not to improve my writing or write an awe-inspiring post but to cause me to reflect and bend my knees in thanks.  And if that’s the point of this post, I have no problem writing today, whether or not my words reach anyone else.

I want to remember that this week I felt hope.  Matt and I are attending a small group and working through Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. As I sat next to Matt and watched him prepare a detailed budget on Monday night, agreed or disagreed as he input the numbers, I actually felt excited.  For one of the first times in our marriage, we had a plan for the month that didn’t end in an argument or frustration.  And even though I knew in my heart that life would throw us curve balls to screw up our beautiful plan for the month (three, to be exact, before we even got to  October 1), I knew that we were on the right track.  And finding hope after it was lost for a time is something for which to be thankful.

I want to remember that this week I felt loved by my little boy.  Nothing amazing occurred yesterday, but I went to bed with a heart that was ablaze. For the whole day, Caleb went out of his way to listen, to please me.  Anything I asked, he answered, “Yes, Ma’am,’ and was the most helpful four-year-old a mother could imagine. I told him how much I appreciated his help, and he hugged me multiple times throughout the day, which is rare because Caleb is not overly affectionate with hugs and kisses.

As the day went on, I noticed that Caleb felt very warm.  When the thermometer flashed the numbers indicating Caleb had a fever, my first thought was “So he’s sick–no wonder he’s behaving!” But I quickly scolded myself–Caleb normally responds to sickness by acting whiney, and I was wrong to discount the effort he was making.

My children are determined to bring on winter, and they went to bed in the warmest pajamas they could find.  As I finally made my way to my own bed, I tiptoed in Caleb’s room and began pulling off his warm clothes, knowing he needed to dress lightly if he had a fever.  In a semi-conscious state, Caleb allowed me to lift his shirt over his head and pull his pants over his feet, and then he lay his head back on his pillow.  I whispered, “Goodnight, Caleb,” expecting the grinding of teeth or smacking of lips to serve as a reply.  Instead, the sweetest little voice responded, “Goodnight, Mommy.”  And for some reason, when the word “Mommy” hit my ear, my heart warmed.

I know my son loves me, but I heard it in his voice last night. And feeling love, especially from one’s child, is something for which to be grateful.

For what are you thankful this Friday?  Leave a comment below, or include a link to one of your own posts.  Have a great weekend!