At training camp a month or so before the Race, we all learned a game called “The Thankful Game”. One plays this game when circumstances on the Race (or in life) are not ideal which can be the majority of the time. The purpose of the game is to be aware and be thankful for what one does have rather than focusing on all the things that are going wrong or can go wrong or are not how one would like them to be.
Some examples of this game being played on my Race are:
· I am thankful that while on a broken down bus to Cape Town, South Africa, I had food, water and a place to protect me from the Africa bush.
· I am thankful that while I ate the same food everyday in Mozambique, that I had plenty of food and never went hungry.
· I am thankful that while sick in Peru, I had a nice bed and roof over my head to recover.
· I am thankful that while it was freezing in Romania, I had a warm comfy place to stay.
· I am thankful that while in Albania, I had two good working legs to walk 3 miles to ministry every day (and then back home at night).
· I am thankful that while in Bolivia, I had energy and strength to both dig a 6ft hole and play jump rope with a big group of kids.
· I am thankful that while in Ecuador, I was able to experience small town jungle life and was able to speak the language.
· I am thankful that while in Swaziland, I am able to experience God’s love and power through the beauty of the mountains and the thunderstorms.
This past Saturday, I had a really bad day. I woke up in just one of those moods. I missed home, I missed my mom, I missed my dog, I missed my family, friends and church and communication with home. I had no motivation to work out and quit the team workout early. I came back and went back to bed. I had no desire to do anything or to see anyone. Before lunch, I had enough energy/motivation to redo the workout, but hurt my leg in the process. After lunch instead of moping around I decided to go on a hike to a waterfall. The hike started off nice until I thought I could gallop/skip down this part with tall grass (snake danger) and while skipping/running down the mountain, I step incorrectly and next thing I know I am tumbling down the mountain. Everyone stops and watches trying to figure out what the heck just happened. I get up laughing because it is so ridiculous. We never really made it to the waterfall, it was tougher than we thought. On our way back we stop at the river for a little rest. While sitting there I decide to play the thankful game. As I look around at the beautiful mountains of Swaziland, it hits me that I have no reason to be upset or angry at anything really. I am in this gorgeous place and though I may miss home and different aspects about home, God has me here and is letting me experience His beautiful creation for an entire month.
Sunday in church, Family Force 6 was in charge of the service. Our theme? Thankfulness. How apt it was that my terrible day was the day before and because of ‘The Thankful Game’ I was able to overcome it. It was good to be able to share with the congregation about ‘The Thankful Game’ and challenge them to be thankful even when they are having a bad day.
(Emily and I during the skit) (Our team speaking during church)
So my question for you is:
What are you thankful for?
