17 September 2009

Half Full

Pearl and Divine were shelling pistachios for dinner because to buy them that way costs significantly more. Pearl began to complain that it was hard and it was taking too long. I replied that many people don't even have food to prepare to eat (a typical mom response, right?). Divine chimed in, "yeah, and at least we have fingers to crack the nuts because there's a boy at school that is missing two of his fingers he was born that way."

Why is it so easy to see what is lacking among our countless blessings? We will be happy when we're making more money or when we get a bigger house. If only I had the energy like Ashley, or a way with words like Jordan, or the patience and sincerity of Ann. The propensity to compare ourselves to others seems natural. We want everything that everyone else has. Well, everything except their trials, right? We are asked, however, to avoid the natural man. Look at the list of blessings, talents, and gifts we've each been given. Instead of focusing on that one thing that {seems to be} missing, we should be concentrating on refining and magnifying those we already have.

In addition to telling our favorite part of the day at dinner, I also ask our girls to come up with something they're grateful for. Divine said last night she started thinking about how she wished she had something and then said to herself, "no, I should just be grateful for what I have."

9 comments:

  1. Thank you for teaching what is the real meaning of our lives.

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  2. I am grateful I lived in Oak Hills for a few years so I could meet amazing friends!

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  3. In the world we live in today , we all should be so thankful for anything we have. Thank you for reminding us of that! You must be an excellent mother to have such grateful children! :o)

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  4. thank you for this, Katy. i needed it today.

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  5. ...or the creativity, ambition, and fortitude of Katy...

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  6. I don't know anything better than when you see your children getting it. Like Divine. Like you.

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  7. I'm thankful for you and yours

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  8. Just what I needed today...trying to remind my kids the same things, and yet I seem to be forgetting some of the simplest elements.

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Be a lamb & tell me what's on your mind.