I forget that there are mothers whose children will never walk.
I forget that there are mothers whose husbands are not tender and patient.
I forget that there are mothers whose hands are not strong enough to hold their children, whose arms cannot hold them close.
I forget that there are mothers who have no one to surround and support and love them.
I forget that there are mothers who cannot feed and clothe their family.
I forget that there are mothers who cannot let their children play outside without worry.
I am breathing grace like air, and I don’t even notice.
Bits of Grace this day:
1. Our first story hour with Oliver at the small library nearby. He sat there, stiff as a board while they sang “Oliver’s here today– Oliver’s here today– stand up and turn around; Oliver’s here today!” Nothing. Very subdued in public situations. Oh- help him not be like his mother please!
2. A good nap. For both of us.
3. His little lip smacking noise while he ate peas from the vine in our yard. We stood there and ate peas for ten minutes.
4. I am able to come to my mom’s and use her internet while Oliver plays on the patio and mom watches him outside.
5. And tonight it is I who will read him a book, tell him a story, light the candle and sing a song and say a prayer with him. I get to hold him “just one minute” while he falls asleep.
God meets our ends in a way that lets me stay home with Oliver all day. Chad comes home every night to be with us. And on and on…there are so many things to be grateful for. And when I am grateful, it changes everything.





7 comments
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June 15, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Kathleen
Rachel – I have followed your blog for awhile and thought it a good time to delurk. I am so glad that your are writing and publishing again – you are such a beautiful writer and I’ll look forward to your words. Thank you.
June 16, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Allison
I, also, would like to take a moment to leave a comment and delurk…Rachel, I found your blog through Sara’s at Walk Slowly Live Wildly and absolutely love it. You are a beautiful writer and I always look forward to reading your posts. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, and please continue to do so!
June 16, 2009 at 5:41 pm
Eva
I’m so glad your posting again!
I’ve been beyond crabby and impatient with Noah lately. He feels it, and often tells me… but really he’s such a great kid and I have so much to be grateful for each and every day. If I could just get beyond my whining and complaining!
June 17, 2009 at 11:36 am
Alexandra
So glad to have you posting with frenzy again! I’ve been lazy and have spent my blog posts putting up other people’s quotes.
You are right; being grateful changes everything. It moves our perspective from what we don’t have to what we have…more specifically, what’s been given to us.
When we don’t give thanks, we are being selfish. And that makes us crabby.
The words of Colossians 1:11-12 come to mind:
“joyously giving thanks for the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.”
Give thanks with joy!
Grin from ear to ear, throw your hands up in the air, and say in a girlish whisper, “Thank You, Jesus, for the gorgeous flowers!”
Murmer softly as you tuck your little son in bed, “Thank You, Lord, for this incredible gift.”
Sing songs of joy and thanksgiving when you sweep the house, and who cares if the chickens hear you?
(And you have such a lovely voice that the chickens will WANT to hear you. They will come up to your garage door and squawk: “Encore! Cock-a-doodle-encore!”
Something like that.
Thanksgiving. It’s not just for November.
Alex E.
June 20, 2009 at 2:45 pm
greenchickadee
Thank you for your precious words today. I need to spend more time remembering what I have and being thankful for what I don’t have! Beautiful!
June 22, 2009 at 5:49 am
Judy
This was a perfect post. I have battled deep depression for the last year-part of the reason is because I don’t focus on the bits of grace in my life….I am SO glad you’re writing again Rachel.
June 22, 2009 at 10:12 am
Rachel
I think we should make bits of gratitude a written-in-stone part of our day. There’s a reason we’re commanded to rejoice and live in thanks-giving!