Gratitude

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. - Thorton Wilder

A couple of weeks ago, our church began a church-wide Bible study called One Month to Live: 30 Days to a No-Regrets Life. Like the title implies, the study gets you to focus on how you would spend your life if you only had 30 days left. Richard and I have been reading the book together and discussing it with our small group.

Many things have changed in my life but most directly my relationship with Matt. I tend to get caught up in house duties, keeping him "in line", or other things that I miss the big picture. The study has helped me focus on my little boy and realize, that's what he is, my little boy. I catch myself trying to rush his "growing up" and not savoring the moments. Since I began the study I have become much more aware of this and when these moments arise I savor them and praise God for them.

You are probably thinking, good grief what kind of mother are you? You didn't do this before? I thought I did, but now it's different and it's not just with Matt but with everything. Anyways, today's chapter focused on gratitude. Here is an excerpt:

If you only had one moth to live, you'd want to make the most of it.

To laugh and fully engage with the people you love.

To appreciate the little things, the ones that might seem silly to others

but that delight your soul, and to give God thanks for allowing you to experience them.

At the end of the chapter you are asked what you are grateful for and/or what you take for granted. I have to say, something I take for granted but love and will miss dearly one day is being able to hold Matt's little hand all the time. I love how his small fingers curl around mine and how he just automatically reaches for my hand when we are walking. One day, he will be too big to hold Mama's hand and I will miss that so much.

So what about you, what are you thankful for?