Gratefulness

Sooo… how was your Thanksgiving? Did you love it? Did you hate it? Did you travel? Did you stay local? Did you eat too much? Did you grab any of those Black Friday deals? Did you donate to a worthy cause? Did you share with the homeless?

I had a fabulous Thanksgiving. I got nominated for a Stellar Award! For those of you who don’t know what that is, it’s the Grammy’s of Black Gospel Music. And I just got nominated for one! Not by any official board or delegate but by my mother-in-love. LOL. She caught me giving a full praise and worship concert in the shower. I’m telling you I was giving it all I had. It got so good that Jesus showed up and sat on the edge of the tub. It was a Hallelujah good  time. I only wish I had recorded it. I want to say Mom was eavesdropping, but I was so loud she couldn’t help but overhear. According to her, I deserve the award. I agree!

In all seriousness, this holiday was so sweet to me. I got to travel to Tennessee with my babe to spend some time with my bonus Mom and Dad. We enjoyed some fantastic meals (and leftovers, yum). Can I tell you I needed a break very badly? I’m grateful for the work I get to do and the lives I get to impact every day. And I’m also grateful for the time I get to rest and refuel. Ministering to people and helping them uphold their lives is hard work that takes a lot of focus and energy. It’s like championship fighting. So the rare time I get off is like money in the bank to me.

This past week was such a blessing to me, and all I did, for the most part, was sleep and eat. I was actually surprised by the amount of time I spent sleeping. It wasn’t that I felt bad; it was the opposite. I was so at peace, so chill that I just drifted right back to dreamland. My normal hour-long or 90-minute naps became three hours long. Pure relaxation. 

And I must say that every time I woke up safe and warm and could go to a clean bathroom or stocked kitchen, I had to send up a praise. Thus the enthusiastic shower performance.

Now, on my way back to life, back to reality, I think of the less fortunate. I don’t take it for granted that there are those who go without every day. I’m grateful for the work we’ve done this year in sharing with the homeless and hungry, but we’re not done. I’m committed to helping them get access to necessities. I’m committed to putting my faith into action.

As I’ve gotten older, I have come to appreciate the simple things in life. I didn’t dress up, and I didn’t do a lot of shopping over the holiday. I enjoyed so many laughs and watched some great television. I’m refreshed for the fight and the work ahead. It doesn’t get any simpler than that.