After learning what covetousness truly means, I purposefully focused on what I’m grateful for throughout November.
Maybe this only happens to me?
Ready to merge lanes toward the exit, I flick on my blinker. I need to move over but the car beside me copies my speed. I speed up a little bit and they speed up a little bit. I slow down a little bit and they slow down a little bit.
I don’t know them and they don’t know me. But they just don’t want me to get into that lane.
I’ve never understood this and am (unfortunately) not above getting frustrated.
The attitude that emanates from this scenario (and some others) seems like people–strangers or not–simply do not want you to have what you need and prevent you from getting it. I don’t understand it. And it makes me mad in ways I don’t like to feel.
“. . . the opposite of thankfulness.”
The best way I could compare their projected behavior and my fight response is to the opposite of thankfulness: covetousness.
I attended a Bible/book study in the spring that went through Francis Schaeffer’s True Spirituality and brought to light what covetousness looks like in our everyday. (It was a humbling revelation.) Check it out if you can.
Before November first I decided I would try something I’ve always thought about after the fact: Write and share about one thing I am thankful for each day until Thanksgiving Day.
It was a really neat experience and I’m glad I did it.
Here are the twenty-three items (with their original social media messages):
Day 1. My church.
So on day number one what am I thankful for? My church. And here’s why:
Tonight a friend sang Laura Story’s Blessings and Evangelist Kwame Selver preached on intercessory prayer—which was exactly on my mind this very afternoon. So it was just what I needed to hear.
Since we’ve moved to the area in 2017 we love @campuschurchfl more and more all the time and are surely thankful for it. There is no other church in the area that I’d choose.
Day 2. Food.
While I’m home recovering after baby #3, I’m taking time to focus on consuming nutritious, nourishing food.
Oatmeal has been a staple of mine for years and my favorite way to prepare it is a “chunky monkey” which involves banana, pb, and choc chips. Absolute yum.
Since my daughter (#2) I’ve finally come to terms to having a relationship food that is balanced and purposeful as well as super tasty and satisfying.
Yeah, you betcha I’m thankful for food.
Day 3. Hot coffee.
As you may know, coffee that’s meant to be hot tastes best, well, hot. Unless of course it started out iced…
In this amazing season of life I find myself reheating my cup from time to time in the microwave (esp on the weekends) but I’ll accept such small sacrifices.
Day 4. Saturday mornings with my kiddos.
No screens and no plans.
The amazing weather has been drawing us out for walks and just outdoor existence and I am entirely here for it.
Day 5. Water.
I do okay keeping up with my water intake. But the one time I had absolutely no issue staying extra-hydrated was in Sitka, Alaska—one of my most favorite places I’ve ever visited. Sitka was one of the stops our Alaskan cruise made (2017) and where we had a friend from the area give us an amazing personal tour. She began and ended our experience with some ice-cold, pure water from an actual spring. You better believe we filled up our flasks both times!
Day 6. Daily walks.
This is one of those things I will miss greatly when my routine changes in the new year. (I’ll just have to include them in other ways!)
Getting out in the sun and fresh air has so many good benefits and I’m addicted to them all. Even on Saturdays I’ve started a tradition of wearing Grey, pushing the Evvs, while Caeden glides ahead on his scooter (he’s real tiny in the picture).
So glad it’s just the right temperature to be out and about.
Day 7. Autumn.
My most favorite season made extra special this year thanks to our littlest addition.
The first two were born right before spring (February) so maternity leave transitioned into summertime—a very lovely, exciting time. But this year it’s fall into winter.
So much to love about it. And to be thankful for.
Day 8. My grey hair
Comments about my hair color have been fun—more positive than negative, though, not like that’s what it’s all about…
I don’t do anything to it… and it’s kind of embarrassing how it all started… standing appointments fill me with dread and esp now as a mom how in the world could I keep up with covering the roots if I were to color? So I didn’t and don’t.
(But I have grown up in the area of getting regular trims, thank you very much. Took me a long time to get there! But what made all the difference was an amazing, patient hairdresser who never made fun of me.)
And with the lovely frizz here down South I’ve had to learn how to control all that mess. Took me a few years to find the good products that help.
All that rambling to say… I’m thankful for my grey hairs haha have a lovely day!
Day 9. L&D Nurses
Because I’ve had three of the best!
1. Desiree (‘18). She was so pleasant and made 17 hours seem enjoyable.
2. Tonya (‘21). Well, she didn’t exactly deliver… but she was so kind when I arrived.
3. Kate (‘23). Such a fun and cheerful girl! Kept me laughing and believed in me when I thought I was all spent.
Despite all the crazy they sure know how to make a mom feel like a superhero.
Day 10. Books.
Pictured is my read list and I’ve only one shelf left to fill since last summer. I’ve never read so much in a year. Once I started I couldn’t stop… and it’s all because of that one masters class I took.
And I’ve come to the conclusion that these four authors are my top favorites (not in order):
Laters! I’ll be reading!
Day 11. This free country and for those who fought to defend her freedom
Day 12. My little family of 5: (in emojis)
That is all
Day 13. The Toys.
This is a tough one but I am thankful for . . . the toys . . . the toys that often get strewn across the floor a huge stresser but that means happy, healthy kids live here
And I especially love when they happily help me tidy up.
Day 14. My Bible.
Chris gave me this Bible when we graduated from college (ahem) 11 years ago. It had a sweet Easter Lily on the cover but it began to disintegrate on my lap whenever I’d use it. Not cool. But then recently he got this rebound with real leather—and this has really been upped a notch.
During these lovely days I’ve been home with the little man I’ve been thrilled to have some leisure time to read some chapters every day.
Day 15. My Dishwasher.
One of our first apartments here had an unusable one. There were a lot of dishes washed by hand that’s for sure.
And if you’re like me, there’s a loading system. In my kitchen you gotta just jump in—don’t ask how to help—cuz I’m always going to say I’ve got it.
But I will never forget this couple we had over who were just the sweetest. They took over the clearing, washing, and loading. It was humbling and I was so touched to be served in that way. (And I did *not* rearrange the dishwasher after they left haha).
A running dishwasher is a pretty great way to multitask.
Day 16. Sleep.
But not necessarily for me—haha. Sleeping babies are simply precious. And while they sleep I read and get other things done.
When it comes to my sleep, it is what it is. I seem to have noticed an increase in my coffee intake. I wonder why that is.
Day 17. What my body can do.
God has allowed me to bring three children into the world over the past almost six years
I’ve had different fitness goals for each child and as I’m home with the littlest one I’ve challenged myself to focus on getting my core strong again, and to do that with Pilates.
Back when I was about fourteen I did some Pilates (I think they were my mom’s videos) and amazingly straightened out my slight scoliosis—my doctor was surprised!
This has been a rewarding journey so far [for many reasons. Also, the workout program is free
Day 18. Walking Shoes.
When I got this pair I anticipated many walks with my tiny person. And here I am.
Through my lifetime I’ve worn through several running shoes and although I miss my long runs quite terribly I know I’ll have that time again one day—but while missing the days I’m so depended on by little people.
So for now, I take many walks and get them involved.
Day 19. People who are kind to my kiddos.
Pictured is Evvy standing in the doorway of @fairhopesoapcompany . The girls working there were so kind to her and Caeden: not cringing at their interest and even offering soaps for them to sniff.
Kids can be wild of course but when even strangers go out of their way to make my babies *feel important* my heart just melts.
I always appreciate those who will get on their level and ask them questions and play, treating them like the little whole humans that they are—those are the people my kiddos enjoy being around the most. We don’t care much about gifts but personal connection is huge—even at this age.
So to those of you who are genuinely kind to my babies, thank you!
Day 20. Monday Mornings.
I realize this is an unpopular opinion but I’ve said what I’ve said. First of all, mornings remind me that each day is a chance to start again—not because yesterday was a fail but simply another day to enjoy life one more time. And if it’s a Monday this means the same but for the whole week.
I actually kind of love my life which is why I say this.
About the picture: I took this on a run maybe 7 or 8 years ago.
Day 21. Safety.
Proverbs 21:31 says, “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord.”
I’ve been thinking of this verse (especially the second half) recently since I’ve seen several pretty devastating accidents on the highway.
Whenever my husband is taking the kids to school or when I’m driving them I find myself praying for their safety. These kids are such precious cargo. So I am incredibly thankful for the safety we’ve been granted.
Picture: the wee blue-eyed Caeden waaaaay back in the day before I became a soccer/van-driving mom. No shame there!
Day 22. Treats.
There’s a time and a place for sweets in our lives. Of course. We are allowed to enjoy. Moderation is key–and what also helps is when you allow and own your choices every now and again. When we try to deny a craving it honestly just makes things worse and can lead to obsession. Just don’t do it. Your body actually knows what it needs so don’t ignore what it’s telling you.
And being thankful helps, too. Being thankful for your temple, the people around, and the food.
This took me awhile to learn but having a daughter changed how I viewed my health, body, and habits. I’m sharing this as a kind reminder that you ARE allowed to enjoy your meal AND dessert tomorrow. It’s Thanksgiving y’all. Best meal of the year.
Day 23. Thanksgiving Day
The one day we have every year to purposely give thanks for all the blessings we don’t deserve. (Also. Best meal of the year).
p.s. Could you tell the above picture is a paper plate?
So what did I learn?
Somewhat of a challenge
To find one thing about each day that I could be thankful for was somewhat of a challenge. It was easy to highlight those things I love (coffee, books, my kids). But it was good to think about what I’d miss if I didn’t have it. And what’s more, I found myself needing to bolster myself with some extra courage when posting about spiritual things. (I am not ashamed! Romans 1:16)
Redirected energy
Focusing on what I was thankful for redirected energy from thinking fearful (scary world, amiright) and negative (aka ungrateful, anyone?) thoughts to pulling out just one positive from the day. Needless to say, sometimes I had multiple things to choose from–until I ran out of days.
Not enough days
The worst part was there were not enough days to include all the things that I was/am thankful for, both easy to recognize and hard. But I will say that my thinking has been challenged and stretched to consider both with thankfulness.
There is just so much to be thankful for. God is so good.
And when I’m on the road next time trying to merge lanes . . . remind me to think of something I’m grateful for.
Grace + Common Sense 
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