Thankful Thursday: Little Things

There are plenty of big things that I could thank God for, but sometimes it’s the little things that stick out the most.

This week I’m thankful…

…for compliments
I wore a springy green tiered skirt and a teal shirt today, topped off with a blue and green beaded belt and some blue dangly earrings. I worried a bit that my outfit would be a bit too informal for work–but lost my worries when several of my coworkers complimented my outfit. How nice!

…for humbling moments
At lunch, I shed my white ballet flats and curled up on the couch to write my grocery list. When I was done, I slipped my shoes back on and got in the car for work. As I was walking in the door, I looked down and realized that I hadn’t slipped the white ballet flats on–I’d slipped just ONE white ballet flat on. The other was a hot pink ballet flat from yesterday. Of course, there was too little time to return home–and since Thursday is grocery shopping day, I got plenty of weird looks as I went to my three different grocery stores to fill my list.

…for bloody butchers
I started some tomato and pepper seeds several weeks ago and have been faithfully watering and lighting them since–but hadn’t seen anything until a few days ago, when three little hybrid tomato seedlings sprouted. A little was better than nothing, but I’d hoped for more (I planted 6 seeds each of four different types). Then today, I looked at lunch to find two little seedlings popping out. The heirloom “Bloody Butcher” tomatoes had sprouted. This evening, I looked again and saw another two sprouts. Yay!

…for Facebook conversations
I posted my excitement regarding my bloody butchers on Facebook, and got responses from my sister-in-law, a cousin, my mother, and an aunt. The ensuing conversation was a delight. I’m so thankful I have opportunity to connect with family this way.

…for an expected package arriving unexpectedly
The UPS man arrived during my lunch, dropping off two packages for Daniel Garcia. I didn’t know Daniel had bought anything recently, so I texted him to ask him about the two packages that appeared to be books. (I didn’t open the packages like I normally would because it IS my birthday tomorrow, and I wouldn’t want to ruin a planned surprise). Daniel figured he knew what one of them would be, but not the other. When we got home this evening, we opened them both to find that one was…the copy of Megan McCardle’s The Up Side of Down that I’d won from Carrie’s giveaway. The publisher apparently doesn’t go for the formal and dropped the “Mrs.” before the “Daniel Garcia” in my address :-P

…for repurposed curry
Once upon a time, I had a chicken curry recipe that had much more “sauce” than we could use with the meat. I got the brilliant idea of turning the sauce into a soup and my newest recipe-creation-craze began. This Tuesday, I made coconut crusted chicken (a kinda Indian curry) for Happy Food – and, for ease of preparation, used boneless skinless chicken breasts instead of the whole chicken parts I’d used the last time I made it. The boneless skinless breasts had apparently been injected with significantly more saline than the whole chicken had, because I ended up with flavorful crusty meat on top–and six or seven cups worth of sauce (it’s supposed to be a dry fried-chicken type recipe!) I decided I’d repurpose this one–and did so by simply adding fresh basil and zucchini and pouring it over rice. Voila – from Indian curry to Thai fusion in twenty minutes.

…for this man

It’s hard to believe that we’ve now been married a year. A year out and we’re still newlyweds. I asked him if he’d be up for a walk tonight – he said he was. We walked to the liquor store down the street (can’t buy alcohol in grocery stores in Wichita) to get a wine for the stew recipe I’ve been wanting to try. Then we walked to the Braums a little further ’round the block to get milk and buttermilk. We held hands and talked and enjoyed the lovely weather. I am a most blessed woman.

Looking at what I’ve written so far, I realize I’ve only mentioned today’s thankfulnesses-actually only a segment of today’s thankfulness. I haven’t mentioned a conversation about midwifery, reading a devotional before bed, getting a good deal on vitamins. I haven’t mentioned the good evaluation at work or the prospect of Pizza Hut pizza and my favorite wine for my birthday tomorrow. I haven’t mentioned time to read and fascinating conversations sparked by books. I haven’t rejoiced in the research I’ve been able to complete or the breakthroughs some clients have had.

Yet I have so much to be thankful for. Maybe I should start writing a thousand gifts list, like Ann Voskamp (still working on reading it, will give opinions when done.) Maybe I should start recording ten thousand.

“The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul, worship His holy name
Sing like never before, O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name

You’re rich in love, and You’re slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul, worship His holy name
Sing like never before, O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore”

~Matt Redman “Ten Thousand Reasons”