Grateful

This time last year, I was basking in the newness of my two month-old son and our new family of four. I was also excited to visit our extended family for Thanksgiving after months of stay-at-home orders.

This year, wasn’t much different. I’m still basking in the joy of my little family and I was excited to celebrate Thanksgiving and all our traditions with extended family.

For example, Black Friday shopping has been an annual tradition for my mother, sister and I. However, it was hard for me to indulge in our tradition this year. I saw a lot of things I needed, and wanted, but the usual thrill behind the shopping wasn’t there.

After nearly two hours in the mall, and only buying one item, I was standing in Dillards when the revelation hit me. Black Friday shopping had been thrilling for me because it was the one time of year I could afford to purchase certain wants and luxuries. I’d wait all year to purchase a TV, a laptop, a phone or some popular kitchen appliance. It didn’t matter if I needed it or wanted it, I was just happy I could finally afford it thanks to the Black Friday deals. 

Thankfully, I’m not that woman anymore. This past year, my thinking about money, wealth, and luxury has drastically changed. I’m no longer trying to convince myself, or God, that those are things I deserve to have. Now, I know that those things are my inheritance as a child of God. My relationship with money is healthier, I now see it as a resource rather than my source. And as a result, I realized that I’ve been blessed to purchase needs, wants and luxuries throughout the year. I didn’t have to wait until Black Friday. <insert praise break>

So, what’s my point?

If you aren’t where you want to be, or, if you don’t have all the things you want or need in this moment, if there’s been any positive growth in your life, be grateful that you aren’t who you used to be. And that alone, is enough reason to give God thanks.