Today I am thankful for…
The weather. The hot sun beating down on me, almost to point of discomfort; the need to keep our terrace doors flung wide open all day, not having to put our car roof up in over a week; for cherry tomatoes ripening in this hot weather faster than we cat eat them, for basil plants going crazy happy in all this sunshine; for a gentle tan covering my arms and shoulders, and white sandal marks on my feet.
Friends. Realising that we have such a wonderful strong community of friends around us after less than a year in this city, and wondering that I ever worried it would be otherwise; enjoying picnics and barbecues and coffee meet ups with people who make me laugh, make me feel safe; for inspiring friends who share their passions, face their fears to do something good, who propose prayer walks in the red light district and want to befriend the friendless.
Work. Imagining new ideas, contacting people with suggestions and hearing positive responses, creating excel sheets and word documents at this little turquoise desk and seeing those papers slowly come to life in real activity; struggling with legal contracts and price quotes and the triumph of figuring it all out.
Reading. Long holiday hours spent reading borrowed and exchanged books; the feeling when my chest tightens and my hands grip the book and I just can’t read fast enough to get to the next page and find out what happens to these characters I’ve fallen in love with; reading the beautiful words of women across oceans from me and feeling a connection, a community, being inspired to live a better life, dream of a better way.
You revive my drooping head;
my cup brims with blessing.
Your beauty and love chase after me
every day of my life.
Psalm 23:5-6
What are you thankful for today?
