GRATITUDE REFLECTIONS 05.07.10

I’ve made it to the end of another week. This week I saw my fair share of ups and downs, but I’ve survived another week, and isn’t that what matters most?

The week started with an awesome choral performance. Both the men and women did a great job, and I am so proud of this group and the good that it has done in our community and in the lives of those involved with it. I’m grateful for the friends who were able to be there to support me. There are others who wanted to be there, but were unable, and that’s completely understandable. In this case, it truly is the thought that matters most to me. Following the concert, I went to the monthly gospel drag show at the club on seventh. It may sound crazy, but I get a lot of spiritual energy out of the drag show, especially when I’m there with Ghraant and he’s putting on his show. The boy has some soul and spirit and to be honest, it’s infectious.

Knowing it was past time for a trip to Sam’s for a tire rotation, I stopped in on Tuesday to have the work done. I’m grateful for the providence of God and the mercy of the angels and saints. It seems that I had, at some point, run over a screw or possibly a drill bit which was deep within the tread of my front driver’s side tire. The lady at Sam’s told me that I was lucky that I hadn’t already had a blow out, because the tire was cracked with only about ten pounds of air pressure. When I thought of how I drove to Atlanta and back last week, I thought how very blessed indeed I am. The tires on my car are special order tires. There’s a minor miracle in this situation. They just happened to have the exact tire that I needed IN STOCK at Sam’s. I’m grateful that I was able to get this situation taken care of, and, while it cost me a little bit for the replacement, I’m sure it’s a far less price than I would have had to pay were I to have had a blow out or even worse.

On Wednesday, I had a job interview. It went, well, it went. On Thursday, I received a call from my representative at the staffing agency telling me I had been selected! Excitement and Gratitude abounded. Today I went in to fill out a piece of paperwork at the agency, and then got a phone call around 5:00 with the bad news. The company had backed out of the contract. Easy come, easy go? I’m still maintaining my faith, trusting and knowing that all will work out in the time it is supposed to work out. The window that was closed in my life a few months ago is going to open to an even wider door when the time is right. I’m being patient and trusting with incredible faith and gratitude in what will come my way.

I’m grateful for the gifts of time and opportunity. I’m grateful for the experience of the last few months. While certainly less than ideal, I know this is not happening by accident. I don’t have all the answers, but I am fairly certain that I’m going to come out the other end of this situation with clarity and a better sense of self. It’s exciting to look back even now and see the fingerprints of a power mightier than I at work.

Tonight I heard from Morgan who lives in Nashville. I’m grateful that she is safe and sound from the flooding and devastation going on in that city. I’m grateful for Morgan’s friendship. We haven’t spoken lately, but she’s another one of those friendships that just picks right up where it leaves off and there’s no need to fill in many details. That’s the beauty of an “old” friendship. Speaking of old friends, I’m grateful for the many people who have been brought back into my life through facebook. I’ve connected with so many people from all parts of my life and am grateful for the places we hold in each other’s lives. I’ll be writing more about these people in upcoming blogs.

Here’s my confession: As I evaluate where I am in life, I am simply grateful for the hands that have guided me so gently to where I am. I’m grateful for my friends and their loving care for me. I’m grateful for memories, dreams and hopes. I’m grateful for yesterday, but hopeful for the unchartered path to tomorrow. With the dawning of each new day I see opportunities which amaze me. It is my hope that I seize each day and live it to the fullest, that I offer each day as a gift of gratitude to the one who created it, and that I learn at least one thing each day that makes me a better person. I’m grateful for the many things in my life which have yet to spring forth, but my faith remains strong, my heart steadfast and I, myself, ready. It is my hope and prayer that gratitude is not just a word I utter, but an action I live in my life every single day, even as I struggle with the constant ups and downs of life.