As we have a 5 year old in our house again, I am reminded of the constant lessons we try to teach our children. One of those lessons is to be grateful for what we have. A lifestyle of focusing on what we don’t have, more often than not leads to a life filled with bitterness, strife and frustration. While an appreciation for the many blessings around us is a path to contentment with life in general.
And yet, many adults, including me, so quickly forget this life lesson we try to instill in our children. An example.
We plan and plan for just the right solution. We discuss, we evaluate options and we think we have it all figured out. But our plan that we have so carefully crafted requires a lot of resources. Both our time and money will be taxed to realize the ideal plan we have drawn out in our minds. So we sit there and plan some more and wait for the right opportunity and time to arrive. Or perhaps for that moment where some unexpected financial boon will cross our path and we can more easily afford the financial contribution without having to sacrifice too much.
But then, unexpectedly, someone else sees the need and decides to go ahead and provide the resources needed to make it happen. They step up to the plate and deliver the much needed change. And while they did all they could and contributed to the best of their abilities, it’s just not exactly what we wanted. It’s not exactly what we had so carefully laid out. It’s not perfect. How quickly are we to criticize what they did. How quickly are we to point out the flaws. After all, our plan was better than what they ended up doing. Perhaps we feel they didn’t “step up” and more like they “stepped in” and “took over”. Perhaps we just feel left out or sidelined. Whatever the reason, it doesn’t take much reflection to realize all of a sudden the focus is on us. The focus is not on what was done, but on how “My ideas” and “My plans” weren’t incorporated into what “They did”.
How about that Sunday school teacher that so graciously takes care of our children each Sunday morning. They forego the corporate worship, they spend the time and energy preparing the teaching. And on Sunday morning they are in a room without the ability to connect to other adults. How often do we think to ourselves that we could have done it better ? How often do we criticize the art project or silly crafts that are quickly glued together ? Or are we indeed grateful that they sacrifice their time and perhaps even their sanity in taking care of our children while we worship and do “adult” things ? And if we are grateful, do we express that gratitude ?
Some of you know I have for many years organized the Church camping trips. Due to work related travel, I had to step back from organizing this for several years and others have stepped up to the plate and assumed those responsibilities. Was what they did always the way I would have done it ? No. Was I hurt and upset that they didn’t follow the carefully laid out plans I had perfected over the many years of organizing this ? Yes. Until one day someone pointed out to me that I should be grateful that someone did step up to the plate and did the best they could. If not for them, nothing would have happened. If not for them, no plan, however carefully laid out, would have come to fruition. So is it better to have something more so than nothing ? Even if it isn’t perfect ?
I think so. And isn’t that what we are being called to ? Be grateful for the blessing we have even if they are not perfect. Since after all, nothing in this life is perfect. So let’s give thanks for those around us trying to help instead of focusing on how imperfect their help can be.
When we teach out children that they don’t always get what they want or that they should be thankful for what they have, how quickly are we to forget to do the same.