thanksgiving

A month ago we were in Myrtle Beach for the half marathon.  I had reserved a highly discounted beach front "suite" which turned out to be the smallest three rooms you can imagine.  A tiny room for the boys, a hallway kitchen/master bedroom, and a bathroom you had to step over the toilet to get into.  I almost changed rooms 5 times.  But the price was right,  we were on the third floor,which we liked, and this picture was our view from the balcony, which we loved. 

Early Monday morning I avoided claustrophobia by wrapping up in a blanket and sitting on our balcony.  I wondered how I could get the same view next year from a bigger room.  I wished I could have cut 5 more minutes off my race time.  I wanted a couple more days off before heading home.


And then I remembered a sermon I had listened to in the car that week.  I had almost skipped it because it was on money....and I don't have enough of that.  But I liked the speaker, and wanted to fill the time.  He talked about how we always compare ourselves to people that have more then us and we feel discontent.  He said when we are using our money in spirit filled ways, we look at all the people that have less than us, we are filled with gratitude for all that we have, and we look for ways that we can bless others.

I interrupted my longings for bigger rooms, faster times, and longer vacations with a realization of how fortunate I was.  I had run 13.1 miles and lived to tell about it. I was cheered across the finish line by my son, husband, brother, sister in law and niece, who had also run.  I was spending my Monday morning at the beach.  And as the sun came up, I was on a balcony, with my favorite book, listening to the waves, while my three men slept peacefully inside.

Meister Eckhart wrote that If the only prayer you ever pray in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.

I think that is because the more I say Thank you, the more I realize I have enough. More than enough.  A lot more than enough.

So again, on Thanksgiving and every single other day....Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.

roadside assisstance

I was cruising along on I 40.  All of a sudden the car in front of me slowed and stopped in the left hand lane.  Across the right lane I saw an upside down truck.  The wreck must have just happened.  I was the second one on the scene.

I didn't know what to do.  I thought I should stay out of the way.  But then I saw a man standing at the upside down truck trying to force the door open, and thought maybe I could help.  So I put my flashers on and joined a couple other people making their way to the truck.

The driver was a young woman, wrapped around the steering wheel and hanging upside down.  Two men got the truck door pulled off.  A woman and man helped pull the driver out and put a sweatshirt under her head.  Someone found her purse and tucked it under her arm.  I heard someone call 911.  I still didn't know what to do.  Then I realized that while everyone was busy, the woman was laying on the road alone.  Now there is a job for a chaplain.  I knelt next to her, held her hand, and spoke soothingly.  Just another day at work!

While on the road, I watched as people jumped out of their cars and came to help.  A few men cleared the road that was scatted with CD's, clothes and papers that had fallen from the truck.  A woman on the phone directed the emergency vehicles, while a man helped point traffic around the wreck. Numerous people came up to offer their help.  It hit me that this world is full of good people.  It's easy to forget after weeks of watching thugs, trouble makers and selfish people on the news every day. But here were good people streaming over.  Regular, going to work or school, willing to stop everything and help a stranger, full of goodness kind of people.  I was glad to be part of them this morning, and glad to know they are all over my town.

ps: I found out on the news tonight that the woman came through with minor injuries.  So glad.  Her car was not so lucky.