“Each thought that I express is an accumulation of what’s been poured into me…”
Before I decided to start my blogging journey, I thought about my thank-yous. Why would I think about the thank-yous before I even write?
Because the thank-yous are why I write. They’re the reason the words flow. It’s because each thought that I express is an accumulation of what’s been poured into me, an extension of those who spoke into my life, walked beside me, or sat and silently shed a tear. It’s the result of laughing together over a cup of tea at our local Starbucks. Each time I write, you’re hearing them. You’re seeing the flowering of a seed that was planted in my soul.
“I’m on a journey home, and this walk is necessary.”
The Journey is Important
Oddly enough, one of my thank-yous would be attributed to a group called We are Messengers. During a Kentucky concert, Darren, the lead singer, stopped in the middle of the concert, and spoke to me from the stage. He spoke things that only God could have told him to say. (Without knowing a thing about my situation. We were complete strangers.) He connected with things I was carrying that I chose to carry alone. After the show, he pulled my youngest son aside and spoke to him. The love and compassion he showed was immeasurable. The encouragement, the charge. That’s what every mom wants to see for her children. Sometimes, it needs to come from someone like this; a caring someone. Later, he told a story about his wife walking to the store. It seemed so odd to Americans. Some made comments. Why would anyone desire to walk so far to the store? He went on to explain the importance of valuing the walk, the journey, the hard work required to get to where you’re going. Everyone wants to display the trophy, but no one wants to put in the long hours required to get there. He explained how crucial the walk is. It’s where change happens. That’s what you’re getting when I write. You’re seeing me learn to enjoy the walk, realizing that this is not my home. I’m on a journey home, and this walk is necessary.
“sometimes I need to tell people what I see in them, because they may not be able to see it for themselves.”
When you hear me write, you’re hearing my pastor who taught me that God is moved by my faith and not my circumstances. You’re receiving a glimpse of my counselor, who tried earnestly to convince me that I was a good mom, despite my objections. She taught me that sometimes I need to tell people what I see in them, because they may not be able to see it for themselves.
All of Us Feel Nervous When We’re Travelling New Terrain
When I write you’re listening to dear moms who’ve lost a child, who know how to mourn and comfort in the best of ways. They reassured me and let me know I wasn’t crazy. That reminds me that all of us feel nervous when we are travelling new terrain in life, and if I’ve been there before, I’m going to share my map with you. “Here take a peek!”
Allow People to Change
My family is heard through my voice. They’ve taught me to allow people to change. Refuse to put them in a box. Instead, give them room to explore who they are and accept the new person that emerges from growth and hard work.
God’s Big Enough!
I thank God for teaching me that He’s big enough. I don’t have to be strong enough, dynamic enough, talented enough. He’s enough.
“without the thank-yous, there’d be very little to write.”
Finally, when you read my words, you hear a collection of your voices who have encouraged me relentlessly. You’ve read my posts, while being on the mountain top and never chastised me for being where I was. It causes me to fill my words with the grace and hope you’ve shown me. Thank you.
So, without the thank-yous, there’d be very little to write. I hope that the seeds sown will continue to grow and be fruitful for years to come. But, mainly, I hope that they continue to trickle down from person to person causing a beautiful, cascading effect.
What about you? Are you trying to write before acknowledging your thank-yous? Have you asked yourself, what it was, specifically, that a particular group or individual contributed to your life? Have you asked yourself what that looked like, sounded like, felt like? How can I do that for someone else? Is there a way I can teach another what that blessing encompassed? How can I show them the flowering seed planted within my soul, ensuring the lessons learned live on? This is why I think about my thank-yous. I don’t want to waste what’s been entrusted to me.
Stuck?
Are you walking through life missing all your thank-yous? Take time today to process the lessons in life we often miss.
Here are some questions for you to ponder.
What legacy are you leaving for those around you?
Whether they realize it or not, everyone’s leaving a legacy. Some will leave nothing but pain and heartache. Some will leave a list of grand accomplishments, with nothing for they heirs, friends, or community to build upon. Yet, others will leave a strong foundation for growth and expansion. What type of legacy do you want to leave? What are you doing now to leave that legacy?
How are you investing your thank-yous?
Investing your thank-yous, learning from your past, and enriching the community around you requires active participation. You must actively invest your thank-yous if you expect for them to make a difference. Remember, investments accumulate. Small chunks, invested little-by-little can make a huge difference. How do you plan to make long-term change will small, periodic investments?
Are you placing the urgent over the important?
Sit down and ask yourself what’s truly important. Now, look at your day, your weeks, months, and years. How much of your time has been devoted to the urgent over the important? Search different areas of your life today. Decide what’s important in each area; your health (mental and physical), your family, your finances, faith, community, etc. Then, decide to value the important (according to the values you’ve identified in each life area) over the urgent.
Ready to Try?
Go ahead. Take out a sheet of paper and get started on your thank-yous! I can’t wait to hear about what you discover. Change the world around you one thank you at a time.
xoxo,
Rachel
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