We all have so much to be thankful for. I know that each one of us could list things that we are thankful for and find worthy of celebrating. For some it may include the people in our lives; for others it may be prized possessions, or food, or a home, or warmth, or employment, or health. All are worthy blessings, to be sure. Sometimes, however, we get lost in a process of ranking them in an order from what we consider the most splendid to the most mundane, using criteria rooted in guilt, or monetary value, or social status.
When we gather with others we may start recounting the recent vacations, or big work accomplishments, or valuable material items we acquired recently. We proudly add home and family to the list. Does our car measure up? Is this party impressive? Did we feel the need to one-up someone in conversation?
Did I lift up what I know are my real blessings when I was asked?
It is harder and yet so very important to look at something that doesn’t make the top 5 grandious cut and realize it is that small and subtle and seemingly insignificant thing that is the real object worthy of thanksgiving.
The things that are truly important are often the intangible and simple ones like love and peace and joy. Finding these things in our surroundings regardless of how humble, and in the people around us no matter how quiet, are the real blessings in our lives.
As we drove home on Thanksgiving Day after a truly wonderful meal with warm and loving family, I found myself looking over at my husband and the tranquil landscape through the window beside him. The sun was already below the horizon line and the light was peaceful and subtle. It was not a glamorous sunset. There were no fancy fields or lovely farmsteads right there. I saw no dramatic silhouetted trees against the fading light. What I saw was the simplicity of the day’s end and the whispered, peaceful prayer of Thanksgiving for the day. What I was seeing was overwhelmingly beautiful.
I’ve tried to capture that image for you on this 16″ x 20″ oil on canvas. I am not ashamed to say that I have fallen quite short of that goal but I feel better for having tried. I had planned to have fancy sales for black Friday or small business Saturday but for this moment I’m OK with my choice to sit at the easel for both days. I hope you did have some fun and added to your list of blessings through these holidays, and that maybe you even supported a small business.
I pray peace to you all and may your blessings be plentiful and ranked first by the joy they bring your heart.
Kelly E. James 