It has been a few years since we have lived somewhere that has allowed us to enjoy the beauty of fall. From pumpkin patches and apple picking to staring in wonder at the vibrant trees that surround us, we have definitely attempted to soak it all up before we move again next summer.
Recently, while driving home from our morning adventure, I pointed out several particularly colorful trees.
“Mark, look at those beautiful red and yellow trees! We should thank God for them.”
“Mommy, I am going to thank God for ALL the trees.”
Well there you have it, straight from the mouth of a preschooler: Be thankful for everything, not just the pretty stuff.
Although Mark often tends to be a contrarian simply to see how far he can push boundaries, I couldn’t help but think about what he said the entire afternoon.
There are a lot of less than beautiful things in our house at the moment such as the piles of unfolded clean laundry covering the couch and the stack of dirty dishes. How often do I stop and thank God for them as well as my washer, dryer, and the food in our refrigerator?
I frequently thank God for Isabelle but omit the intense grief that accompanies her name. Should we be thankful for the pain of losing someone close? Should we look to the heavens and thank God for our loved one and also for the overwhelming pain that accompanies that loss?
Yes.
The pain is a reminder that we have loved so deeply that the grief brought us to our knees. What a beautiful gift to love another like that.
The pain is a reminder that God does not guarantee us any number of days so we should be thankful for the ones that we are given. The very concept of pain should remind us to be thankful.
It has taken me quite a while on my own grieving journey to even be strong enough to attempt this prayer. I admittedly don’t pray it well. I certainly don’t feel thankful when I get that stabbing pain in my heart each time I hear my daughter’s name.
But wouldn’t it be great if we always thanked God for “ALL the trees?” In scripture, Jesus mentions becoming like children to enter the kingdom of heaven. Perhaps we should take Mark’s words to heart and make a sincere effort to thank God for everything in our lives, not just the pretty stuff.
November, a month focused on thankfulness, gives us the perfect opportunity to evaluate our mindset. Do we thank God for the red and yellow trees or for all of them?
