Whenever I'm having trouble being thankful, it helps to think of her.
And, it also helps to think of "it".
She's held down a job for a while now, and we drive her to work five days a week.
Last week was different. Christmas was coming! This year, the Holiday was toward the end of the week, so she was going to be off on Friday, anyway. But then, on Wednesday it rained and, during the night, the rain turned to ice.
When I stopped by to pick her up on Thursday morning, I already suspected that they had closed her work down, today. So, instead of honking the horn and waiting for her in the van, I got out and walked to the front door. I didn't want her to have to get out just to tell me that she wasn't getting out.
That's how I got to see "it".
She had told me about "it" many times.
She would say, "I am so blessed to have 'it'. Without 'it' I don't know where I'd be."
When she opened the front door, sure enough, there "it" was, right behind her in the little front foyer.
I had wondered what "it" would look like.
But, today, with "it" right there, she didn't bring any attention to "it". I didn't mention "it", either. It wouldn't have been the right thing to do. Instead, we were both a little embarrassed.
For a few moments, we busied ourselves with light conversation and the passing of the necessary pleasantries:
"No, there's no work today."
"So, I won't see you again until after Christmas."
"Thanks for coming by to check on me."
"I'll see you next week."
"Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas"
All the while, as I looked past her shoulder, "it" lay there in silent testimony of how blessed she is.
As I turned away and walked back to the van, I was remembering the times she has told me about her previous life.
(Before the addictions, before the DUI's. Before the arrests. Before the jail time.)
"I was quite wealthy," she recounted. "I had SO MUCH."
Then, she would pause and say, "But I was so proud."
She would tell me a bit about the fancy car she drove and how she bought anything she wanted without thinking of the price. "But, you know" she said, "I never thought about anybody else. It never bothered me that others had less than I did. I could have helped them, but I never even thought of them." She pondered, "I think God is allowing me to go through this to humble me. I think He wants me to appreciate what I've got and not take it for granted."
And that's why, this morning and every morning, she wakes up thankful for "it",
There's a little lamp sitting beside "it", on the hardwood floor.
There is no bed-rail to hold "it" up.
"It" is a simple, plain, and tattered old mattress,
lying on the floor,
in the front foyer of a drafty old house.
Every morning, before she gets up, she thanks God for that old mattress, and for the young couple that's letting her sleep in their front foyer until she can afford a place of her own!
Oh God, she may be poor in our eyes, but, in her poverty, You have given her a priceless and precious gift that makes her richer than she ever was when she had all that "stuff". You have given her a grateful and thankful heart.!
Please bless her today, and always.
Thank You, Lord for all Your blessings.
And Lord, . . . . . help us, who have so much, not to complain.
in Jesus' Name.
Amen.
