I don’t personally know the majority of people who read this blog. I don’t know where you live or your real names. So it goes without saying that I don’t know your religious beliefs. With the exception of a few of you, who I know can’t eat bacon.
I don’t know your beliefs and I don’t really care. I tend not to judge people because I feel that in the end, the judging will be done by someone slightly more powerful than Momo Fali. I think all human beings are flawed, including me, and that’s why I never write about religion. Except for today.
Something happened yesterday that I can’t really describe in any other way than to say I was slapped in the face and then kicked in the shins by God Himself.
I have a reader, named Alison, who hasn’t been around here much lately. It may be that she’s tired of my writing, but a more likely reason is that she just had her colon removed because of Crohn’s Disease. Oh, and she has Lupus too.
So the slap came in the form of a comment from Alison on my post in which I was complaining about my ongoing sinus infection.
A month ago, when Alison was desperately in need of medicine and was dealing with insurance atrocities, she asked her readers to pray (not for her) but for the woman at the pharmaceutical company because she might be “stymied and frustrated” in her job. Yeah, she’s that nice.
The kick in the shins came when I found a brown, tattered, piece of paper laying on my living room floor. I picked it up to find an old Dr. Abby article I cut out over a decade ago. It’s been on the side of my refrigerator ever since…exactly right where I never see it. But there it was on the floor of a different room where I needed to pick it up and look at it. How it got there, I will never know.
Things to be Thankful For
-Be thankful for the clothes that fit a little too snug because it means you have enough to eat.
-Be thankful for the mess you clean up after a party because it means you have been surrounded by friends.
-Be thankful for the taxes you pay because it means you’re employed.
-Be thankful that your lawn needs mowing and your windows need fixing because it means you have a home.
-Be thankful for your heating bill because it means you are warm.
-Be thankful for the laundry because it means you have clothes to wear.
-Be thankful for the space you find at the far end of the parking lot because it means you can walk.
-Be thankful for the lady who sings off-key behind you in church because it means you can hear.
-Be thankful when people complain about the government because it means we have freedom of speech.
-Be thankful for the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means you’re alive.
Me? I’m thankful that I can still recognize grace when I see it.
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Comments
MommyTime
This is beautiful. Thank you.
I am in the midst of writing a post about living in the moment, and this is just what I needed.
Stella
The slaps in the face can be hard but they are so worth it!
Thank you for sharing this!!
Melisa with one S
Amen. I needed that today, too. 🙂
And it figures, I finally get linked in that cute way you like to link people from your blog posts, and I’ve done a new post on how everyone poops. Nice.
But I’m still thankful. 🙂
Bean
I read this twice. There’s hardly a person who wouldn’t benefit from reading this. Wonderful post, Mo.
Bee and Rose
That is definitely grace-ful! I needed to hear that today too! Thank you so much for sharing it with us:)
OHmommy
-Be thankful for the clothes that fit a little too snug because it means you have enough to eat.
A million thanks. You are so right, as always. Many thanks.
Erin
Oh, that is very nice. Thank you for sharing!
Sadia
Thanks. We all need to be reminded to put things in perspective from time to time.
Lisa@verybusymomwith4
Thank you for sharing this! We ALL need to keep our minds in a thankful spirit, not a complaining one!
I am happy you are feeling grace today 🙂
Tara R.
Amen. I need to make a copy of those and put it on the FRONT of my frig. Thanks for sharing.
Teri
I needed to hear that today. I’ve been in a funk. Thanks. Grace for me, too. Take care.
WeaselMomma
I call that a light bulb moment. God certainly has unique ways of making a point.
Middle Aged Woman
Back in the day, when I used to do the whole God/church thing, a preacher said, “Grace, which, by definition, is that which we do not deserve…” That really stuck with me.
FrankandMary
When I ran an oncology practice I would FREAK OUT at how a secretary would be whining that her bf's son was coming for the weekend or the doctor would be pissed an employee didn't do something EXACTLY the way she said, in 2 seconds time. We are dealing with moms & dads & sons & daughters dying-Doesn't that ehh "affect" you? Doesn't it make you see how terribly lucky you are?. I don't care if someone took your f-ing stapler.
That job was many years ago, but the lesson I carried with me. ~Mary
kaila
What a wonderful way to enter the weekend. Put that list on the front of your fridge, Momo.
Ashley
I love that at the end. How easy it is to forget the things we have when things aren’t perfect…
Undomestic Diva
We need to be humbled every once in a while.
(Although to be honest, I don’t see you as someone who needs to be humbled, really.)
Kiera
Thank you thank you thank you. I needed to be reminded of all of my blessings. I really do love your blog. 🙂
JunkDrawer Kathy
This is so going on my fridge. I’m moving all the goofy magnets, pictures I don’t look at, and coupons. It’s going right where it can slap me in the face.
Creepy how it moved, huh?
Anonymous
-Be thankful for the taxes you pay because it means you’re employed
Since when are taxes a good thing? You also pay taxes regardless of whether you work or not – land tax and taxes on goods and services. in USA most taxes go to fund murder abroad.
-Be thankful that your lawn needs mowing and your windows need fixing because it means you have a home.
The lawn does not need mowing – but I will be fined a large amount and can even be evicted from my house after it has been pronounced derelict.
-Be thankful when people complain about the government because it means we have freedom of speech.
We do not have free speech. People can complain because they do not have enough man power to catch us all(same reason people still speed)
Heather
Good post today. I needed to read that too.
And of course, any post that mentions bacon is stellar.
Chuck
Another great post with even better timing. Much needed. Thanks Momo.
Kat
Amen Momo. You know I have always said that first God whispers to you, then he pinches you, then he shoves you, and then he hit you with a brick in order to get you to listen. Thanks for listening to the whisper.
Smart A$$ Mom
I love the idea of being thankful. Thankful, I’ve got under control.
Now being happy with what I’ve got and not wanting for more? That I need to get a grip on.
NUGO
gratitude is the only prayer we ever need.
NukeDad
Dear Anonymous;
Thanks for your cynical analysis of this post. I can’t get enough angst from the daily news, so your bleak outlook on the world is totally refreshing (and original!). Thanks! Really!
Maybe if you mow your lawn you can get your car off of the blocks and in the garage where it belongs.
Oops! Was that too much free speech? Maybe you can dispatch an evil American to murder me when I travel abroad.
Mark
We all have much to be grateful for! It is all a matter of perspective! Thanks for sharing.
AlisonH
But…but…I didn’t/I would never slap!… And yeah, I hear exactly what you’re saying, and what I’m saying back is, don’t be hard on yourself. It’s all just life.
Moonshadow
This kind of thing has happened to me on more than one occassion. Falls under the “Penny from Heaven” category.
NukeDad, Thank YOU! for your comment. Anyone that posts anonymously such things is a coward. They KNOW they’re being jerks or they’d post in a manner that we could reciprocate on their blog (if we chose to).
Bean
Way to GO, NukeDad!!! Thank you.
Corey~living and loving
GREAT post. a reminder that many of us need often. Thanks!
Rhea
I admire people who can stop and take a moment to reflect and backtrack and perhaps learn from something they’ve done wrong or just not-quite-right.
Great post. Good message.
I think Anon missed the point completely.
Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing]
Perfection & perspective.
Ed (zoesdad)
Nice.
Mr Lady
Since when is public school a good thing? Since when do we need bridges built? And who the hell came up with Fire Fighters?
Heather
I loved this. I needed it today.
And I DO hope you start feeling better soon.
xo
Otter Thomas
This is my first visit to your site. Great post. God can work in amazing ways. I will be coming back soon.
David Peters
That was a great post Mo, thanks. Nothing really quippy or sarcastic to add… just a really good read. We’re thankful for you because you give us a 2 minute break most days out of our busy, stressful lives to just enjoy some good reading and relax for a sec. So… thanks.
Ann in NJ
I find it bittersweet that no matter how many lemons life hands you, there is always someone who has it worse. And thank you for the reminder of all the good things we do have – so often it is hard to recognize the everyday.
Jaina
Definitely kicked in the shins. I like that article…talk about powerful. Thanks for sharing Momo.