On Slowing Down and Giving Thanks
My mother is constantly telling me to slow down, to rest. And I know she’s right. For the past two years I’ve been trying to slow down, to determine to take in the moments and live the life of thanksgiving that every child of God should live. It’s the life of Eucharisteo that I’ve learned—no, I’m learning—from Ann Voskamp.
When Mom pleads with me to slow down, warns that I’ll get run down, she speaks with conviction. I’m just like her.
Mom playing hopscotch, Mother’s Day 2011
Women of action. With a primary love language of Acts of Service I struggle to do or not to do—it’s always the question.
Last week Mom fell down her stairs and broke her ankle, the first bone she’s broken. On the eve of Thanksgiving she’ll have surgery. She has no choice but to slow down. It’s been said that housework is something that’s rarely noticed unless it’s not done. When a person is unable or not around to do what they do daily, the details become painfully obvious.
What struck me those first few days after her fall was Mom’s lack of complaint. Surgery will take place over one week after her fall. One week broken. On the week of Thanksgiving when she anticipated attending every single service of Camp Meeting she could attend, and this year greeting for the first time {something she was eagerly awaiting}, Mom will be laid up. Mom loves Camp Meeting. She loves cooking and especially for family, for Thanksgiving. Though her cries have indicated her level of pain, not one single time has she complained.
I stopped by on Friday to check on Mom, home alone, to do what I could. During my visit she shared with me a dream, a nightmare, she’d had several days before her fall. She hadn’t mentioned it to Dad, to anyone, until after her fall down those stairs.
In her dream she was standing at the top of her stairs with a long robe-like garment. She doesn’t currently have a robe. Layers of material dripped from her arms covering her hands, draping all around her. She recalls thinking, “I can’t go down there like this. I’ll surely fall.” Then, as if she knew she was going to fall, she screamed to my Dad, “Jim! Help me, I’m falling down the stairs!” Her screams translated into muffled nightmarish groans, waking my dad, niece, and nephew. They quickly woke her.
Mom talked with me about how the Lord tries to get our attention, yet we often refuse to slow down and listen. “He who has ears to hear, let him hear,” He tells us throughout Scripture. But we’re too busy to hear. For now, Mom must be still. And I can assure you she’ll be listening intently, her heart of gratitude opening the gates for His presence.
I’m taking notice, wanting to learn from her fall, her experience, rather than my own. All the while I’m preparing to be available, to be present, for this mother who is there at a moment’s notice for her family. It is an honor and a privilege, yet an intimidating if not terrifying realization.
Understand that it’s not busy people alone who need to slow, turn their eyes to Him, thank Him for the very moment, the very circumstance, the very trial, to count it as grace, and listen. You don’t have to be a Martha fussing over pots to be too busy to hear Him, to sit at His feet. Busy about your facebook’s business, you can miss Him. Swimming in the muck and the mire of your own mess, you can miss Him. And yes, fussing over the pots and the potty training, you can miss Him.
Though I wouldn’t wish what Mom is going through on anyone, I know she’s right where she needs to be. Broken. Still. And thankful. And there He is. Always.
I’m an awful wretched mess. Slow to learn, I’ve done my share of fussing just these past few days in spite of her amazing example. My own layers are threatening to trip me, cause me to fall. Yet though I stumble, though I fall, I’m learning.
Christianity isn’t about growing good, it’s about growing grace-filled — Christ-like. ~ Ann Voskamp
Someone is going to have to be busy about cleaning Mama’s pots. What I hope to learn from this is to slow first, to give thanks in everything, to give thanks for those pots, and count it as grace. And while I scrub, to worship. Because His presence can be found even while scrubbing pots.
Hello i am kavin, its my first occasion to commenting anywhere, when i read this piece of writing i thought i could also create
comment due to this good article.
What’s up, its fastidious article concerning
media print, we all be familiar with media is a fantastic source of
data.
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if
you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates.
I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like
this. Please let me know if you run into anything.
I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look
forward to your new updates.
This design is wicked! You most certainly know how to keep
a reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was
almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!)
Wonderful job. I really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how
you presented it. Too cool!
I visited many web sites but the audio quality for audio songs current at this web
page is really superb.
Stunning story there. What occurred after? Thanks!
When I originally left a comment I seem to have clicked
the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment is added I recieve 4
emails with the exact same comment. Perhaps there is a way you are able to remove me from that service?
Kudos!
The other day, while I was at work, my cousin stole my iphone and tested to
see if it can survive a thirty foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now destroyed
and she has 83 views. I know this is entirely off topic but I
had to share it with someone!
Greetings from Carolina! I’m bored at work so I decided to browse your blog on my iphone
during lunch break. I love the information you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get
home. I’m shocked at how quick your blog loaded on my cell phone ..
I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, amazing site!
It’s remarkable to pay a visit this web page and reading the views of all colleagues about this post, while
I am also zealous of getting knowledge.
I don’t know if it’s just me or if everyone else encountering problems with
your blog. It seems like some of the text within your content
are running off the screen. Can someone else please comment
and let me know if this is happening to them as well? This could be a issue with my web browser because I’ve
had this happen before. Kudos
Hi there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my myspace group?
There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your
content. Please let me know. Many thanks
Yes! Finally something about http://pandora.nla.gov.au/external.html?link=https://squareblogs.net/archerpaint2/the-entire-process-of-minecraft-servers.
Hello to every body, it’s my first pay a quick visit of
this web site; this weblog consists of awesome and actually fine stuff designed
for readers.
I really like what you guys tend to be up too.
This type of clever work and coverage! Keep up the fantastic works
guys I’ve added you guys to blogroll.
you are really a excellent webmaster. The website
loading speed is amazing. It kind of feels that you are doing any distinctive trick.
In addition, The contents are masterpiece. you have performed a excellent process on this topic!
I am sure this paragraph has touched all the internet users,
its really really fastidious post on building up new blog.
Spot on with this write-up, I really feel this website needs a great deal more attention. I’ll probably be returning to read more, thanks for the information!
Do you mind if I quote a couple of your posts as long as I
provide credit and sources back to your blog? My website is in the very same
area of interest as yours and my users would genuinely benefit from a lot of the information you present here.
Please let me know if this alright with you. Regards!
Hello! Someone in my Facebook group shared
this site with us so I came to look it over. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my
followers! Exceptional blog and terrific design and style.
I like the valuable information you provide in your articles.
I’ll bookmark your blog and check again here regularly.
I am quite sure I’ll learn a lot of new stuff right here!
Good luck for the next!
Hi i am kavin, its my first time to commenting anywhere,
when i read this article i thought i could also create comment due
to this brilliant article.
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your website. It’s
a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for
me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a
designer to create your theme? Great work!
We are a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community.
Your site offered us with valuable info to work on. You have done an impressive
job and our whole community will be grateful to you.
Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging
on blogs I stumbleupon every day. It will
always be helpful to read through content
from other authors and practice a little something from their web sites.
Hi there! I just would like to offer you a big thumbs up for your excellent information you’ve got here
on this post. I will be returning to your website for
more soon.
What’s up friends, good post and good arguments commented at this place, I am genuinely enjoying by these.
Wow! Finally I got a blog from where I be capable of truly obtain valuable information regarding my study and knowledge.
Hello every one, here every person is sharing
these know-how, so it’s pleasant to read this weblog, and I used to visit this
web site everyday.
I’m no longer certain the place you are getting your info, but good topic.
I must spend a while learning much more or figuring out more.
Thank you for great information I was searching for this information for
my mission.
Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all
of us you really realize what you’re speaking approximately!
Bookmarked. Please additionally talk over with my
site =). We may have a link trade arrangement among us
Greetings! Very helpful advice within this article! It is the little changes that make the biggest changes.
Thanks a lot for sharing!
Oh my goodness! Impressive article dude! Thank you so much, However I
am having troubles with your RSS. I don’t know the
reason why I cannot join it. Is there anybody having similar RSS problems?
Anyone who knows the solution will you kindly respond?
Thanx!!
Outstanding quest there. What happened after? Thanks!
Hey I am so excited I found your blog, I really found you by mistake, while I
was browsing on Digg for something else, Anyways
I am here now and would just like to say thanks a lot for a marvelous post and a all round interesting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to
browse it all at the moment but I have bookmarked it and also
added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to
read much more, Please do keep up the superb work.
Everything is very open with a precise description of the issues.
It was really informative. Your website is useful. Many thanks
for sharing!
Incredible story there. What happened after? Take care!
Greate article. Keep writing such kind of info on your
site. Im really impressed by your site.
Hey there, You have done an incredible job. I will certainly
digg it and individually recommend to my friends.
I am confident they’ll be benefited from this web site.
You’re so cool! I don’t suppose I’ve truly read
through a single thing like that before. So good to discover someone with original thoughts on this issue.
Seriously.. many thanks for starting this up. This
web site is something that is required on the web, someone with a
bit of originality!
Good day! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering which blog
platform are you using for this site? I’m getting fed up of WordPress because I’ve had issues with
hackers and I’m looking at alternatives for another platform.
I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.
I’m really loving the theme/design of your web site.
Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility issues?
A number of my blog audience have complained about my website not operating correctly in Explorer
but looks great in Firefox. Do you have any advice to help fix
this issue?
Interesting blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere?
A design like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog stand
out. Please let me know where you got your design. Appreciate it
Great website. Plenty of useful info here. I am sending it to a few pals
ans also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thank you to your sweat!
Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to assert
that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts.
Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently fast.
Excellent post. Keep posting such kind of information on your site.
Im really impressed by it.
Hey there, You have done a great job. I will definitely
digg it and in my view suggest to my friends.
I’m confident they will be benefited from this web site.
My brother recommended I might like this web site.
He used to be totally right. This publish actually
made my day. You can not consider just how a lot time I had spent for this info!
Thank you!
It’s really a cool and useful piece of information. I’m
satisfied that you just shared this helpful information with us.
Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
I’ll immediately grab your rss as I can not
to find your email subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service.
Do you’ve any? Kindly permit me realize in order that I may just subscribe.
Thanks.
Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account
your blog posts. Any way I will be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.
Howdy! This blog post could not be written any better! Looking through this article
reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept talking about this.
I’ll send this information to him. Fairly certain he’s going to have a great read.
Thank you for sharing!