Thankfulness Journal - Monday

What a crazy day! It started out so well, too. After a whole week of letting exercise slide, we were up and at the gym by 6:00 a.m. for a 35 workout on the crosstrainer. I had taken such care to make sure I had everything I needed to change and head to work. However, when I went to the locker room to change, it hit me that I had forgotten my shoes. I decided that I really didn't want to spend the day in a skirt, sneakers and socks. I had enough time to head back home and get my shoes, although that would mean no time to stop for a cup of tea and Bible time. So I was feeling a little grumpy as I dashed into the house. As I went through the kitchen I noticed that the message light was flashing on the answering machine. I almost didn't listen to it, thinking it had been Bill trying to get ahold of Ryan before he left the house. But I did. It was Deneen, Popdaddy's caregiver. She wasn't feeling well and had a sick baby she needed to take to the doctor. She didn't have my cell phone number so if I hadn't come home I wouldn't have gotten her message. So for Monday I am thankful for a forgetful brain blip.

I am thankful also for forgiving staff members. Monday was Souper Monday and I had signed up to bring a pot of soup. I had cooked potatoes in chicken broth all night and planned to take it to church and thicken it and add the milk to make cream of potato soup. However, there was a little miscommunication about kitchen use (and I will forgo those details) and I was unable to use the stove. So the staff had to make do with one pot of soup and since many of them were counting on soup for their lunch I am sure some went home hungry. But everyone was very gracious about it and today I am preparing the soup all at home and bringing in two pots to try to make up for my blunder yesterday.

I am thankful for our small group on Sunday and the lesson that prepared me for Monday. As I left the gym to head home I just felt overwhelmed with sadness. It just seems that I am really feeling like I can't cope with the many directions I am pulled. I really felt I was beginning to feel what it was like to be truly depressed. Because I had a little extra time at home (I called my sister, Peggy and asked if she could come earlier than her normal time and she arrived at about 9:00) I was able to have that Bible time. I remembered our assignment from small group was to have a plan to pray for each of the fruits of the Spirit. And so as I sat down with my Bible I just asked the Lord to replace my sadness with His joy. And He did--although it was tested when I arrived at school to be twarted in my soup making attempts, and I succumbed to my own spirit, He was able to send encouragement and put a smile back on my face and eventually my heart as well.) So I am thankful for friends who encourage and lift me up.

Deneen took her baby to the doctor and found that she has a strep infection so won't be here again today. So again I am thankful that I have a boss who is flexible and compassionate and is allowing me to come in late again. And providing his wife to fill in until I get there! It turns out that today is Pastor Appreciation Day at school and there is a breakfast at 9:00 a.m. so Sherry will come in with Dave and cover my desk until then. God is good! If I could just remember that minute by minute and not allow Satan to overwhelm me. I am still a work in progress!

So I am also thankful for two extra mornings with Dad this week. That time in the morning over coffee is really precious.