in Friday Five: Grateful Edition, to share with us five things that cause you to be grateful
- My spouse. She is the living, breathing grace of God to me. Despite my moods, my doubts, my disorganization, and my started-but-not-finished projects, she stands with me, supports me, defends me, and encourages me. I know God's grace is bigger, but Mary's grace is tangible and helps me to imagine how big God's grace is.
- God's grace. Yes, many people would make this number one, but we need ways to understand the transcendent, which is why Mary gets #1.
- The people with whom I have been fortunate to minister. I have been blessed by the opportunity to minister with homeless people, with patients and their families at a hospital, with students and faculty from my seminary (including during Pride!), members of several congregations, and other people in my life who may or may not be believers. I am grateful for the ways they have opened their lives to me, and made it safe to at times open my life to them.
- The many people who have mentored me in one way or another. This includes parents, grandparents, teachers, pastors, friends, coworkers, and friends who have taught me - most effectively by example - what it means to be an authentic human being.
- Opportunity to share. Though I am a member of several classes that would be considered marginalized, I also have a lot of privilege. On the one hand, privilege hinders me from seeing the struggles people have, while being marginalized helps me see them. On the other hand, the privilege I have affords me the ability, responsibility, and opportunity to partner with people to make a difference. That may mean blogging, being visible, contributing money, contributing time, supporting, or just standing with others in their struggles. This opportunity is an amazing blessing, though it took me years to see it.
Do you have five to be grateful for? Post something and hop on over to Rev Gal Blog Pals to link to it!
This really spoke to me today.
Thank you.
This is beautiful. Your loving and lovely words about Mary remind me of what I tell my grown children about marriage--the right relationship is where you help each other grow into better people. So far my two oldest children show that in a marriage and in a partnership. Thank you.
this is so beautiful, thanks! and yes, I also played today with gratitude; Peace!
WOW I love you, you are a wonderful woman and mean the world to me. I am just happy that you are in my life. You make this world a much better place. I will always be here for you. I wish I had the words to tell you how great I think you are. I Love you.
Especially appreciate your #5. Great list, thanks.