It was a cold December day six years ago. I was a college freshman trying to earn some money by working as a part time nanny. My charge was a five-year-old girl who tended to drive my 19-year-old self crazy. I don’t have a lot of detailed memories from those months with her, but one memory stands out very clearly.
This past week, I discovered that one of my kids had left a bottle of McDonald’s chocolate milk on the top shelf of his locker. I have no idea how long it had been there… but… long enough, if you know what I mean! It was tipped over on its side, and because of the souring effect, it had leaked. The smell was enough to make me nauseous. I had smelled something all week whenever the kids were at their lockers, but the times I smelled it, I just assumed that one of the kids’ coats or backpacks had a strange odor. I couldn’t ever pinpoint the smell, and never really took the time to look! The poor kid wasn’t tall enough to see it up there on the shelf where he had stashed it some morning past…
This morning I woke up determined to give thanks in any and all circumstances of my day. It was my goal to be in a constant mindset of thanksgiving. I have been reading Ann Voskamp’s 1000 Gifts this week. It has really been a reminder to me of how important it is to be thankful. It is so powerful in changing our attitudes, and thus our lives. And when it comes down to it, we are commanded to give thanks to God. In everything.
I’ve lost my balance. I fell from the trapeze. This act isn’t easy.
I’ve been under water. This storm has been raging. These nights are not sleeping. My dreams are now strangers to me. The last few weeks have been tough. I’ve really been struggling, not something I’m quick to admit. The details aren't as important; it's just been one of those hard months. |
AuthorHannah is a 1st grade teacher, health and fitness nut, favorite auntie to 3 Archives
November 2015
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