Thankfulness Defined

As I was enjoying our day of feasting and conversation I realised my heart was full. Full with memories made and life lived. I was over flowing with appreciation for the breath of life given to me. The very idea that I was created to be part of a community, whether seen or unseen, is a daunting one. That God thought about me and where I would be (and where I WILL be) is more than my brain can compute.

How does one define or describe thankfulness? Websters states the definition as "conscious of benefit received", "expressive of thanks" and "well pleased". For even further description I searched a thesaurus. The words I read were "grateful, appreciated, gratified, pleased and much obliged". Again, all of these apply yet not fully the description I was looking for.

I've been led down this path of abandoned thankfulness in even the most inconsequential and simple of things. Things that have recently brought me up short. The rise, fall and slope of a mountain. The smell of a candle. The sound of the boys dropping the seat and flushing (is this heaven? Pinch me!). The fact that my family is near and healthy. That I live in an imperfect world and country for a reason. The seasons. My body. Bad days. Joyful days. Sick days. Hard days. Easy days. Nail polish. Facebook. Cell phones. A house. Heat. Shelter. Air fresheners. Transportation.

All of the things that I'm most grateful for are the ones that are the most difficult to describe. God knows my heart. When words fail He hears the gratitude my heart hums to the song of his playing.

I have learned gratitude because I have learned to step aside and let Him lead (notice I didn't say that I ALWAYS follow =). I pray that I follow His every step to the point of abandoning my wishes and desires. No longer can it be said that Katy is her own girl. This is His song; His life. I'm just the follower.

That is the description I was after; thankfulness lived.

That is beauty.