I am thankful for many things. But as I become aware of what I am thankful for, I am also aware of the fact that I don't say "thank you" enough. I often take for granted things that I have become used to having.
I'm reminded of Misty, a young woman that I met a week ago. She approached me in a parking lot, sobbing and asked me for a ride. She told me that she just tried to sell herself to make money for her children - she has 3 kids and another one on the way. I quickly got her in my car and took her home. She asked me what I did and I told her that I work for a church on the west side of Madison. She looked at me, and asked me if I would pray for her. (Now, she could have asked me for money, but she asked me to pray for her. I was so thrown off - it was not what I expected to hear and all I could think was "shame on you, Meg," because I had judged.) I told her that I would LOVE to pray for her and all of her kids. We talked a bit more - she asked if I thought she was crazy for doing something like that to make money? I told her that as a mother, I believe that she would do absolutely anything to be able to provide for her children. I also told her that I think there are better and safer ways to get money. We pulled up to her apartment and I handed her the only money I had ($15 - I wish I had more!) She looked at me with tears in her eyes and said, "You promise me you'll pray for me?" She sounded so desperate. "I promise," I said. And then she was gone. I should have gotten her address. Crap. Talking to someone so lost, afraid, and desperate, reminded me of my many blessings.
This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for:
God - for never giving up on me.
My family - for always being there for me.
My Fatty. Brad and Amy. My job. Fr. David. My high schoolers.
New York City. Stacy Lynn. Jesus. The Green Bay Packers (10-0 baby). Good music.
Tessa - for loving me for who I am and welcoming me into her family with open arms.
Bridget Yallaly. A home. A warm bed. Fr. Chad. Hugs. My ability to sing. Prayer.
A good martini. Laughter. Jon and Amanda. My NYC family. For my education.
Pictures. Blankets. Health insurance. Three meals a day. South Dakota Mission Trip.
Maggie. Mary Beauclair. Board games. Friendly competition.
A good sense of humor. Cold water. My baby grand piano. A good cry.
Freedom. Love. Church.
For everything else I didn't list.
This time last year I was going through some major changes in my life - changes I could not have ever imagined for myself. Changes that would cause me to re-evaluate everything that I thought I was about. I started going back to church. I started listening to God. I am so unbelievably thankful.
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good: for his steadfast love endures forever!
(1 Chronicles 16:34)
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