be thankful, be thankful

Last updated on: August 2, 2011 at 12:01 am by Micha Boyett Hohorst

be thankful, be thankful 2011-08-02T00:01:56-07:00 Micha Boyett Hohorst

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

What a week it’s been. I’m writing this after just returning from “Cousin’s Camp” with my parents, my brothers, sisters-in-law and my boys’ five cousins. We rented a house in the mountains and had the sweetest time, with a few massive tantrums (my child) and a couple of poopy pairs of underwear (my child) laced in there for extra fun.

Then I returned to the world of internet to find that my friend Lance is still in the same condition. (For more information on how to pray for him and his family, click here.) And then, I received an email from a dear friend in San Francisco who has just learned she has cancer. It’s severe and she starts intense treatment tomorrow. She has three children.

Why, Lord?

I’m reading One Thousand Gifts (by Ann Voskamp), which I’m pretty sure is going to change my life. I’m serious. If you don’t buy it right now, I’ll remind you over and over and you’ll finally give in because I won’t stop talking about it from here on out, okay? This is what I read today that’s been ringing in my ears all night:

I know there is poor and hideous suffering, and I’ve seen the hungry and the guns that go to war. I have lived pain, and my life can tell: I only deepen the wound of the world when I neglect to give thanks for early light dappled through leaves and the heavy perfume of wild roses in early July and the song of crickets on humid nights and the rivers that run and the stars that rise and the rain that falls and all the good things that a good God gives … Rejecting joy to stand in solidarity with the suffering doesn’t rescue the suffering. The converse does. The brave who focus on all things good and all things beautiful and all things true, even in the small, who give thanks for and discover joy even in the here and now, they are the change agents who bring fullest Light to all the world (58).

That’s why in spite of the tears that have been shed on the couch in my parent’s living room tonight and the wadded up klennex beside me, I’m going to show you this and say: Look at how beautiful this world is!

I’m thankful for:

Bestie cousins in matching “Cousin’s Camp” shirts (Seriously, your family really made t-shirts for Cousin’s Camp? Yes. We’re that family. Except they’re well designed because they were designed by this guy.) eating ice cream together and sharing in the kind of bliss that only 3- and 4-year-olds can have while eating ice cream.

The way my family all cared for me and took turns watching/snuggling/playing with my kids while I was there without my husband.

My dad and brother who gave up two hours to drive to the nearest pharmacy (45 minutes away) when I got a fever and infection Friday night.

Laughing late at night with my brothers about the same exact memories we always laugh about. I never laugh harder than when I’m in the same room with both of my brothers at the same time.

I’ve been an aunt for 11 years and I love my nieces and nephews dearly. How can I say thanks for the chance to see them dancing to Lemonade Mouth, collecting rocks, writing a cheesy song that they performed, inviting me to help write said cheesy song, and faithfully playing with both my boys–their littlest cousins?

Watching the stars at night with the grown ups: My father points out what he thinks is the US Space Station. My brother asks: “But I guess it could be the Russians.” And my dad, a man whose brain is crammed full of a laughable amount of knowledge, says in all seriousness: “No, because the Russians don’t travel that direction.” Oh, of course you know that the Russian Space Station orbits North to South.

Sunday night, my brothers and I actually performed a skit for the family. (It was spur of the moment. But, yes, we are that family, too.)

My heart is heavy today, but what a wonder it is to remember God in the beauty…

P.S. My grandmother is 90 years old today! Happy Thankful Birthday, Deenie!

Previous Post

July 29, 2011

Pintastic!

Next Post

August 3, 2011 This Way to Austin...

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category A Deeper Church Beautiful Beautiful and Broken Books Broken Deeper Story Family and the Christian Year Family Life Found Friends Guest Post Invitation Motherhood My Chalkboard One Good Phrase Pinterest Place and Stability Poetry Practicing Benedict Thankful Tuesday The Daily The Mama Monk the Praying Life The Pursuit of Enough This Sacred Everyday Uncategorized Vlog Women and the Church World Vision

Select a Month March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What city did God command Jonah to preach to?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Jericho Tyre Babylon Nineveh