Stopping To Say Thank You...

My daughter and I were toddling along the library sidewalk on a warm golden Fall day recently.  She was taking in the scenery: her feet tapping the sidewalk, the rocks to our left, the doors ahead of us, the leaves falling all around us at a steady pace, the cars pulling into the parking lot behind us. And then, in what seemed to me to be a random thought she said...

"Ake yew Mama."  Translation: Thank you Mama.  In three months she will be two years old.

I wondered...what is she thanking me for?  Bringing her to the library?  Holding her hand as we walked?  Keeping in step with her teeny tiny pink velcrow tennis shoes?  Or maybe she just likes the feel of the new words crossing her lips.

And my thoughts turned to the One who holds my hand.  Do I stop, in the middle of nothing, to say thank you?

Maybe she was simply basking in the wonder of what was around her.  The rocks that make that clacking sound she likes when she throws one on top of another. Those shoes she loves to wear now that she can walk in them.  The door she finally has enough balance to help open.  That sound she hears from the leaves that makes her say, "cwunchy weaf".  And maybe she didn't know who else to thank so she thanked me.

Lord, as I take care of this little one for You, I ask for wisdom to teach her naturally worshipping heart to worship You, and to thank You for the good gifts she sees every day.  

I count my own gifts from you today...
#55 Moments that seem to be nothing and turn into life lessons
#56 A child who seems to be amazed by your creation all day long.  She reminds me to be amazed too.
#57 A cool-ish head in an emergency
#58 For keeping Anna breathing as I drove her to the doctor
#59 For a husband who extends grace over and over
#60 Hot dogs on the grill
#61  Body Step and Roxie
#62 The return to Fall after a week of Summer in October
#63 A quiet night at home
Thank you, Lord, for these...