Texas weather is a funny thing, particularly in the months from October – May. Wet, dry, hot, cold…it’s never quite the same from day to day or even from minute to minute. The constantly changing atmosphere certainly keeps our forecasters on their collective toes.
But in the midst of this meteorological unpredictability, there is one thing you can count on with nearly 100% accuracy: on any given night, between December and February, you’ll find me relaxing – whether it be snuggled under my warm comforter in bed, or lounging on the living room couch, or even puttering in the kitchen or working on a project upstairs – in my comfy & cozy flannel pj’s. It’s not that I don’t have other options to wear. I do. But nothing else soothes my tired soul and relaxes me after a long, busy day; nothing else gives me the excuse to stop and be still; nothing else forces me to slow down and gives me permission to rest than donning the soft warmth of my flannel pajamas. They’re comforting.
This week in particular, I’m grateful for comfort. In the midst of an emotionally exhausting season, I’m grateful for those people and things that remind me that God really *does* care. He does listen. He really *is* there. He does understand, and He knows how I’m feeling. Over the past seven days, I’ve felt – almost tangibly – God’s comfort and encouragement, wrapping me in His warmth like my favorite flannel pj’s…and reminding me of all I have to be grateful for.
I’m grateful for the warmth and comfort of my church. Even when the message or worship doesn’t quite reach where I am, I’m grateful to be part of a church that is committed to teaching Truth, to worshiping God Most High, to truly being a place where people help people find and follow Christ, even when the journey is difficult.
I’m grateful for the simple truths expressed in children’s worship. As we enjoyed the children’s choir performance on Sunday evening, we were reminded of the true joy of Christmas: the celebration of Christ’s birth, ushering in God’s plan of salvation for a lost world. I’m grateful for those who pour their hearts into my children’s lives, helping to develop their faith and deepen their understanding of their Creator.
I’m grateful for our Life Group. We’ve been privileged to be part of 3 (yes – count ’em – THREE) Life Groups in our 2+ years at Christ Fellowship. And all three of them have been amazing, wonderful groups that forged friendships we still enjoy and introduced us to people we still cherish. We’re grateful for each of them. But our current group is different. Over the past year, the members of our group have dealt with very difficult circumstances, which have allowed us to truly reach out to one another and “do life” together. We are not just members of the same group…we are truly friends, connected and interconnected in ways that go beyond a mere discussion or study group. And on Sunday, our Life Group gave us an unexpected gift of encouragement (and I’m not simply referring to the yummy meal at Fuzzy’s Tacos) that was a tangible expression of God’s care and provision.
I’m grateful for my virtual friends. If you’re my friend on Facebook, it’s because I know you personally. It’s because at some point in my life, we shared face time. So I feel comfortable sharing my thoughts, feelings, and emotions through that social medium. I’m okay with having my blog feed into my notes. It’s okay that my life is “out there” on facebook. Because this week, you have been my “flannel pj’s” in a virtual sort of sense. God – in His infinite creativity – used different ones of you, people who I have known through many different and varied seasons of my life, to be His encouragement. You have written the words I needed to hear. You have spoken His life back into the dying places within me. In some cases, you have been the slap in the face that dragged me out of the pouty, pity-party, self-centered mush pit I had been sitting in and set my focus in the right place.
I’m grateful for co-laborers in ministry and service. This week, I helped coordinate the annual teacher’s cookie exchange at Webb Elementary, the school our church has adopted. Even as late as the night before, we were doubting we’d have enough cookies to allow the teachers even ONE dozen. Honestly, I was hoping and praying for a miracle like the loaves and the fishes, wondering if God would consider cookies for 70 staff a worthy enough cause. He must have, because on cookie day we had enough cookies to fill FOUR large conference tables full to overflowing. The spread was beautiful and festive, thanks to several other women who gave generously of their time and talents. And, in true “feeding the 5,000” fashion, we not only had enough to give teachers their fill, but boxes of leftovers to spare. I’m grateful to the women who baked, the women who helped, and one particular special friend who offered my family a gift of encouragement out of the generosity of her heart.
I’m grateful for our families. It’s hard to ask for help. And so a lot of the time, I don’t. I think my family recognizes that, after sharing life together for so many years. And without asking, without me even trying to play the sympathy card, they have reached out and gone above and beyond what we would have expected or even anticipated. They have assumed – and correctly so – that this Christmas would be difficult, and have given ALL of us the opportunity to enjoy the holiday. Though we live far away, the little surprises we’ve received in the mail have reminded me how close we are in spirit, and how blessed I am to claim them as my own.
I’m grateful for El Roi, the God who sees. I’m grateful that God saw my tears last weekend as I cried out in desperation for encouragement. I’m grateful that He saw my frustration on Tuesday as I sat, with tears in my eyes, in the aisle at Albertson’s…and sent a manager my way to give me a blessing I certainly didn’t deserve. I’m grateful that He saw our desperate financial situation and has provided the funds for us to stay solvent as we face year-end obligations. I’m grateful that He saw my broken heart and gave me joy through my children’s accomplishments to end this semester on a positive note. I’m grateful for friends who reach out with offers of free Starbuck’s or fro-yo or Saxby’s eggnog chais…but whose real gifts are the time we spend together, talking and laughing until our sides hurt, sharing our hearts and our lives in small cafes, giving hugs and smiles and friendship and love.
Comfy, cozy, soft and warm. God’s wonderful gift of encouragement. I’m so grateful for that this week. Even more than my flannel pj’s.