Holly J Campbell

In the waning moments of this November Thursday, a few thoughts.

Gratitude is highlighted on this day, but I would posit that even the darkest, hardest days can be stitched in gratitude. Perhaps today is one of the darkest, hardest days for some. With all the scenes of family and friends gathering, tables brimming with food of every kind, people looking forward to the beginning of this season, it can feel overwhelming when the scenes you face are so very different.

This time of year can bring a painful reminder of loved ones no longer with us, or a family that is no longer happily together. Perhaps there has never been a glowing family gathering in our past. That is a reality for some of us. Watching others’ lives go by can be difficult. That is a time to step back and consider our own life.

What memories do we have that bring a smile to our face? What do we have in this moment that we can take into account and spend a moment of gratitude noting?

A coat?

A place to sleep?

A meal?

A view of the night sky with all the stars?

The sound of birds? Of waves? Of a song we can’t help but sing?

This is a reminder to myself as well: when the stress or weariness of feeling “less-than” creeps in (and it is a creep!), think small.

What is the smallest thing you can find to be grateful for?

A breath? The color of your eyes? The color of the leaf on the ground in front of you? The smallest green sprout of grass between the concrete squares in a very grey space?

Our Creator sees us. Our Creator knows us. And while I don’t have answers for all of the difficult situations we might find ourselves in, I know He loves us. I pray we are all able to see Him in the smallest details around us. That we would take note of the beauty He has surrounded us with – and not beauty as the world might see, but His creative, wondrous, unique beauty. The beauty He placed in us as His most precious creation.