And a fine family...

The world looks around me as I struggle along
They say I have nothing, but they are so wrong.
In my heart I'm rejoicing, how I wish they could see
Thank You, Lord, for Your blessings on me.

There's a roof up above me, I've a good place to sleep.
There's food on my table, and shoes on my feet.
You gave me Your love, Lord, and a fine family.
Thank you, Lord, for Your blessings on me.

I know I'm not wealthy and these clothes are not new,
I don't have much money, but Lord, I have You,
And to me
You're all that matters tho' the world may not see.
Thank you, Lord, for Your blessings on me.

My Granny had this song handwritten in a little spiral notebook with many of her other favorite songs to sing. She taught it to me and I remember the tune from childhood - I guess she really was the one who taught me to be thankful for things, and to respect my elders and try to watch out for and take care of other people.

I've heard this song a couple of times since then. It was played on the organ at her funeral, and it was a song that my Dad picked out for the youth choir to sing not too long ago in church. I don't even know if he knew that was a song she had taught me, but it was bittersweet to hear the little kids singing it like I sang it with her in her house years ago.

Last week I was baptized, and I looked out from the front of the church out onto many of my family and friends. It hit me how lucky I am to have such a wonderful family - it has gradually dawned on me in the past few years, and very much so lately.

I focused for a long time on how much I regretted not being here for so many years, and not spending enough time with my Granny before she passed away. For the last few years of her life I spent more time thinking about how I really needed to get home to see her, than I actually spent with her. It was too late when I actually did move home to spend time with my family, and I got caught up in regretting that for a long time once I moved back.

A month or so ago, my Papa got up and sang a song at church, even though he said he hadn't been feeling like he'd be able. Tears streamed down my face as I looked up there and listened to him sing - and saw the joy he had to be up there singing and praising God.
I looked up and thought - I'm a part of this, and he's a part of me.

The past two Fridays I drove over to see Grandma and Papa and stayed for about three hours. Just sitting and talking. No television noise in the background, no distractions. We talked about his doctor visits, we talked about church, and he talked to me about my theology classes. I love to hear him discuss the Bible because he has read and studied the history behind he Bible and numerous commentaries - and even at his age he remembers it all. It's amazing how much knowledge he has about the Bible - and how much he enjoys sharing it. These past two Friday nights have been such a blessing to me, and I left smiling and feeling loved and loving their company.

For almost 27 years now, I've had this wonderful family and plenty of time to enjoy it - and I was always distracted and not spending enough time where I should have been.

It's funny how simple happiness is when we get the distractions out of the way.

Thank you Lord for letting me appreciate the present this time, rather than looking back at the past with regret. Help me continue to do so.