With the overarching theme of thankfulness this week, I’ve had a lot of time to sit and think about some of the things that I? take for granite back in North Carolina. Things that I? take for granite even now on the Race.
The first one that came to mind was my bed. At home, I? slept alone in a bed that was big enough to fit three people. In a room that’s been bigger than every room that I’ve shared with me team so far. And there’s 7 other women on my team.
Here in La Pintana, I sleep in a bunk bed; the bottom bunk, and when I? wake abruptly at night I? hit my head on the bars above because the space is so small. And honestly, that’s okay. Each time it happens (which has been almost every night) I just lay and laugh about it for a minute because I’m thankful for a bed. My own bed for that matter. Even if it is one that kills a couple brain cells every time I? try to sit up.
My ministry host says that around here, a family of 5 sleeps together in 1 queen sized bed. Sometimes even smaller.
The other night for devotion, we all took turns listing some of the things that we’re grateful for. I’m almost began crying as I? listened to one of the local girls reading her list. While others said they were grateful for things like chocolate, hot showers, and fidget spinners. She said she was thankful for a roof over her head, clean water, security, electricity, and a bed. Don’t get me wrong, chocolate, hot showers, and fidget spinners are all great things that I? am thankful for, but her words hit me hard. She was sincerely so grateful for the things that we tend to take for granite every day. Things that a lot of the locals in this region don’t have. She said them with such humility and beauty, and it reminded me of why I? chose to do the race in the first place. It wasn’t so I? could go see all the things or sleep on a comfortable bed in different countries. These are just some of the gifts that the Lord has granted me to have.
No, I? chose to spend my gap year being the hands and feet of Jesus. To live on less and minister to those who have less.
This year, I? was completely prepared to not celebrate thanksgiving in the traditional way that I’m used to. And, I? knew that going into the race. I? got to see thanksgiving for what it truly should be, this year. Giving thanks to our Father in heaven for such a sweet life. For such a sweet love that He gives us, a love that He gives freely. A love that we don’t deserve. And y’all it was so good. I? was in a pure state of true thankfulness this week. And on top of that, I? ATE TURKEY.
My momma gave me a letter to open this month that had a journal in it. On the cover of the journal it had one word: “Thankful”. So in light of receiving the journal and thanksgiving being this week I’ve decided to journal something that I’m thankful for each day.
Here’s my journal entry from Thanksgiving day:
I’m thankful for a God who provides. A God that gives good gifts and meets you where you are. A God who doesn’t care about finical standings.
Y’all the Lord is so GOOD and there is so much to be thankful for.
With love,
Gabby
