Thanks-Skipping

I have a close friend who absolutely loathes the fact that everyone seems to skip right over the top of Thanksgiving. To be perfectly honest, it has always bothered me very little. Until I realized WHAT we as a society are skipping over.

When you think of Thanksgiving, what exactly do you think of? The first thing that comes to my mind is Thursday. A bit odd I'm sure, but it's true. This thought is followed closely by the colors of autumn leaves and images of a great feast. For many people football and Black Friday deals quickly drown out all thoughts of food and family. But how many people think about being thankful? Or take time to remember the original Thanksgiving feast between the Pilgrims and the Indians? Certainly not the department stores that have Christmas decorations and music up and playing November 1st.

There's certainly no crime in Christmas, football, or screaming deals. The problem is selfishness. Ever Googled "Black Friday deaths and injuries?" There is no shortage of stories. People are trampled, crushed, pepper sprayed, and on some occasions, even shot- just because someone else simply couldn't miss out on a good deal. All of this the day after Thanksgiving. Devastating.

This week I've been trying extra hard to focus on the things I'm thankful for, and less time focusing on other things. So here's a list of a few of the things I am most thankful for:

1- My Family. They have their weird little quirks, but what family doesn't? I love them more than anything in my life and don't know what I would do without all the love and support they offer me in everything I do.

2- My friends. I've heard it said that friends are the family you choose. The same can be said for these guys as for my blood relatives. They are great examples to me, and always take the time to lift me up when I'm feeling low.

3- The roof over my head. Having a home is something that I often take for granted. There are so many people in the world who don't have a warm place to sleep at night or a safe place to go when the weather gets rough. I may not live in a luxurious mansion, with hot tubs, heated sidewalks, and walk-in closets, but I have soft pillow to rest my heavy head on at night, and shelter from the harsh elements of mother nature, and that's good enough for me.

From the gift of my sight, to the warmth of my home, my "Gratitude List" could go on for days. I just don't always remember. So in all of the holiday excitement, the rush of sports and shopping, as well as the fantastic feasts, let's not forget what this time of year is really all about - giving thanks, rather than skipping it.

A Mother's Wisdom

I recently found myself at one of those crossroads we often stubble upon in life. For once, I actually knew which way to go without a second thought. Little did I know of the many challenges this road would bring. You see, I belong to a Christian church that recently made adjustments to the missionary ages, which now allows me to serve an 18 month mission sooner rather than later. While I've never been more excited, I'm a month and a half into my preparation, and I've already been bombarded with more challenges than I could have possibly imagined.

One of the seemingly smaller difficulties that has presented itself, has done perhaps too good of a job reminding me of a lesson I learned as a child. Growing up, my mother was very fond of hanging meaningful quotes ALL over the house; from the refirgerator to the front door words of wisdom hung as gentle reminders of the lessons she would teach. One of the quotes (the one from the front door) has been resounding in my mind as I have been preparing. "Don't give up what you want most, for what you want at the moment."

As you may remember from my last blog post, I am a music fanatic, and one of the instruments I have picked up through the years is guitar. I own a beautiful Fender Squier I have lovingly dubbed "Autumn." She is my baby. This guitar has extra special meaning to me, for she was a high school graduation/birthday gift from my mother.

Okay, so what does a guitar have to do with a religious mission, and a mother who put quotes up all over her home? I promise it all ties together.

For my Mother, who loves pink and sunrises.

Missions are not inexpensive things. And although my family is willing to support me, I feel a deep need to be as financially independent as I can. My typical job is a nice place to start, and having a photography business on the side certainly doesn't hurt, but it only scratches the surface. Since it has come to my attention that while serving a mission, I will have little need for the majority of my belongings, I have begun sifting through them creating piles, and filling boxes. I have things to sell, things to give away, and things to store until my return home. My guitar is the one item in my possession that I have not been able to categorize. Should I sell it? Or should I let her sit for 18 months unused, and useless sitting in some dusty corner?

"Don't give up what you want most for what you want at the moment." How much do I want to keep this specific guitar? Quite a bit. But how much do I want to go on a mission, serve people, and lose myself in the Lord? Even more. Sure this guitar means a lot to me, it reminds me of my mother. But my mother had a saying, "People are more important that things." Though this guitar is important to me, so are the people I will soon be serving. And I don't need a guitar to remind me of my mothers love, because she gave me something so much greater and long lasting - her wisdom.