By 7 a.m., my husband had left for an early morning meeting, my son had been picked up for volleyball camp. My daughter, who is fighting a cold, still jet-lagged, and well, 17, is still asleep.
The kitchen is a mess–we had friends over last night for dinner and sat around visiting instead of cleaning up. I hate to waste the precious moments of quiet doing a chore. I’ll likely press my daughter into service when she awakes.
But meanwhile, the prospect of a few moments of quiet are tantalizing. I should work, of course. I’m currently juggling working on a book proposal with an on-going freelance gig for a marketing company. I should walk the dog before it gets any hotter, although even at 7, the heat and humidity were intense.
If I take a moment to listen, to be still, the call is clear: be grateful. The days that I begin with a few moments of thankfulness end up being days to celebrate, even in the midst of struggles. I have to call the insurance company, I have to finish a work project, I have to do the dishes–or get someone to do them. But before the obligations, I will be grateful. I will acknowledge God’s quiet working in my life.
Today, I’m thankful for a daughter home safe after several weeks traveling in Spain. I’m grateful for clean white sheets on a hot summer night. I’m so deeply thankful for my work, and the fact I can do it from home.
I’ll pour another cup of coffee, fill the quiet space in my home and heart with thanks. I’ll pour out thanks, and be filled up.
What do you do with a bit of quiet space in your day? What are you thankful for?
I love days with quiet spaces – especially if they aren’t expected. Today I had a little of that and I went for a run. It was a gorgeous, sunny morning (well a tad bit hot for running), but I am so grateful that this almost 50-year old body still allows me to run and I am especially grateful for new running trails that I am discovering in the new neighborhood we are living in. All of the green is so refreshing and stimulating, both physically and spiritually, to me. Spain is such a brown country at this time of year and spiritually it is very dark, so today as I ran I really was grateful for the abundance of green around me and the chance for my soul to be refreshed with the plethora of Christian resources available here in MN.
thankful to see the hand of God at work in the little things…
thankful for safety through the storms of this morning…
I like to listen to the quiet – and perhaps grab a quick nap in the afternoon, or read a book.
Thanks for reminding me of the most important way to start the day, no matter how much you have to do that particularly day. And that it`s important to take the time to do so for the result of that day. It`s easy to forget. God bless you both during your quiet times and when you do all the chores and obligations that you have to do 🙂 Greetings from me in Norway.