The Little Things Can Mean So Much

When itemizing those things we are grateful for, we'll often list things that money affords, like our home, car, food, clothes, electronics, and those things that add to our comfort. Since my washer and dryer are 25+ years old, I thank God each time I get my washing and drying done, But this Thanksgiving week, my gratitude goes way beyond the big “things”. I've come to realize that the little things, that money can't buy, mean so much!

Thanksgiving usually brings families "home". "Home" isn't necessarily the brick and mortar of the home we live in. For example, my oldest grandson and wife, and 2nd oldest grandson didn’t make it to Frisco this year and that’s okay. They were “home” where they were. I've realized "home" is WHERE I AM at the time. Home is Austin, Frisco, Tulsa and anything in between where I "light". Home is family, friends, church, the places where "the little things" are really the big things.

My Frisco family and I and an invited guest had our traditional Thanksgiving meal and celebration on Thursday. My "Austin" family, on their way to Muldrow, OK to celebrate Thanksgiving with Shawntel's family, detoured to Tulsa to see Granny for a couple of hours. Granny is my husband's Mom, and at 96, though she's still sharp-as-a-tack and moving about, we just don't know if it could be the last time, so spending time with her is so important. It’s the little things that mean so much.

Then they traveled to spend time with Shawntel's family where 54 family members gathered at her precious 90-year old grandmother’s home for their traditional Thanksgiving meal and celebration. The little things that are really huge things to a sweet grandmother. Then, they made their way to Frisco where I had Bryson's "traditional" scavenger hunt ready for his birthday that was on November 17th. The four cousins helped him decipher the clues and find the treasure. Yesterday’s hunt won treasures for all of them – including the wax lips. LOL! My traditional day-after-Thanksgiving Waikiki meatballs were on the menu. Today, we’re heading to the Wallace’s for breakfast of huevos rancheros then we'll go to a movie -- another family tradition. We'll have our traditional Mexican food for lunch. It’s the little things that mean so much.

Thanksgiving traditions always included my annual family photo being taken. It was a must do that everyone tolerated and because it meant so much to me -- they always complied. I was excited that my big milestone birthday in August meant I could let the family off the hook for another photo. But, my two sweet girls, without my usual need-to-plead, wrangled up everyone for a quick Thanksgiving photo. They know it’s the little things that mean so much to me.

It won't be long before all these grandkids will be grown up with families of their own, so I realize these little things, little traditions; little intentional, purposeful moments mean so much. Yes, I'm so grateful for the blessings of the simple, little things and family and friends that keep reminding me that the greatest blessings on earth come without a price tag.

How often is it that the BIG things are what stresses us out? Notice that the things that fill our hearts with warmth are things that we didn't have to look far to find. It means learning to live our lives as if everything were a miracle, and being aware of how much we've been given. Gratitude shifts our focus from what our life lacks, to the abundance of what we already have. Maybe, the best prescription we could take to dispel the common "woe-is-me" attitude is to offer thanksgiving for the "little things".

It's Just a Photo.....Or Is It?

Day 331 of Photo Inspirations -- It's JUST a Photo....Or is it?
#TBT -- Throwback Thursday and Throwback Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving!  I'm not sure it's that my childhood memories are so vague, or that this season of the year holds SO MANY memories with my children and grandchildren, or that there are so many precious times in this season that I'm in right now, but I can't resist seizing moments and making memories.

For as long as I can remember, getting my annual family photo has been a MUST, much to the chagrin of my children and grandchildren.  This maximum 30 minutes of this on-task photo shoot for Nana, has not come without the usual chaotic moments of determining what to wear, when we can make our schedules work, and strategically finding THAT PERFECT spot where the photos should be taken, and then just getting everyone to give a decent smile.  Me:  "If you would just give me a sweet smile, this would be over.  Please stop making faces.  Please look at the camera.  Please stop talking.  Please stand up straight!"  I know, you know the drill.

I laughed last week, when I saw sweet Jennifer Gooden's post about their recent family photo shoot adventure (with 4 children under the age of 5). What memories it brought back to me.  With all she went through, her final analysis was  "The truth is, family photos (especially what we are wearing in them) are not that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things. But they are something I treasure.

Something I love to see all around my home. God knows my heart. He knows how much I love beautiful photos of my children growing each year. He knew months before our photo shoot that I would need His help. And with His help, we had a great time together!  So I am sure as you look at our photos this year, you see our family laughing, smiling, dressed nicely, and our sweet Natalie all dressed up. Well now you know the truth. The baby was almost photographed in a stained onesie and cream colored tights. But then God stepped in......"   (Thank you, Jennifer, for the reality check -- what's really behind those picture-perfect photos!)

And this first photo inspiration taken in 2007 at Ryan & Shawntel's home in Raleigh, NC was not without similar moments of chaos.  And, neither were the ones taken yesterday.  It was misting outside.  We were losing daylight.  Trying to hustle the kids in to get ready. Part of the family didn't even arrive in town until the last minute. And, the location?  Settled on just a photo in front of my home -- no fanfare.  Just click the photo, sweet Denise Gerrich, who always comes through as my photographer.  But I assure you, like Jennifer said, "In the grand scheme of things, family photos are certainly not what matters most" -- but, speaking from my heart, this Mama/Nana, it certainly comes in at a close 2nd -- especially once those babies are out on their own.....and the remembering is some of your sweetest joys!"

The family that captures memories together......STAYS TOGETHER....in love, in support, in encouragement, and in MEMORIES!   Missing having my oldest grandson and his little fiance in the pics this year -- but, no problem, just expect many, many wedding photos with them next year!  Now, go make some memories on this beautiful Thanksgiving Day!

Springs of Living Water

Day 89 of Photo Inspirations -- Springs of Living Water
Each year I MUST have my annual family photo taken. This one was at the BOK Bear Plaza fountain.  To my grandchildren's delight, the fountain wasn't on, so they could climb all over the bears.  It made for such a great family adventure.

I passed by that landmark just a few days ago and the waters were flowing freely.  I thought about my photo moments just a few months before, but I also thought about the free-flowing "Living Water".  This is Holy Week, the last week of Christ's life, remembering especially His passion and resurrection, and the "Living Water" He gave during His short 33 years of life on earth.

He had been the "Living Water" to those He healed, those He restored to life, those He gave a new future, and those He forgave and made whole.  And those who drank His living water, never thirst again.

I think about the story of the woman of Samaria who had made many mistakes, and when she came to the well for natural water, she left with "Living Water".  Her story is our story too.  It's a story where God finds us also worthy of His love in spite of our mistakes.  As a result of the encounter with Jesus, she, who had been an outcast from her own people, found out what TRUE LOVE is all about.  To be wanted, to be cared for when no one, not even herself, could see anything of value in her -- was grace indeed.   Jesus told her:  "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks THE water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, THE water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. John 4:13

And, THAT "Living Water" she experienced could not be held in, she became an evangelist of Jesus when she ran to tell others about Him.  "Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman's testimony" John 4:39-42

And those words are an invitation that should echo in our ears, too. Jesus stands at the doors of our hearts, offering to us these "living waters".  "If ANYONE is thirsty, let him come to ME and drink."  The first requirement is thirst.  It is an inate part of our humanity -- to have a spiritual thirst.  And, that thirst, is what we bring to our relationship with God.  Drinking that LIVING WATER means aligning with Him, trusting Him, receiving, and believing in Him.  When we believe, we open our hearts to receive what his grace offers. I urge you today..."Come on in.....THE WATER IS FINE!"