I am Grateful

It is not often that I write here but when a picture is worth a thousand words I would rather save the time...

I have contact with a family of fourteen and to be honest 2009 has not had a great start for them. A week in hospital with two broken bones being the least of their concerns, although the child involved would doubt that. My main concern is the 13 and 15 year olds and how the family relate to them and to each other.
While I was wondering about the whole dynamic I realised something..

I am grateful! Wow that came out of left field! But I am...
I am grateful that I was brought up in a family that respected each other. I am grateful that I was brought up to treat other people the way you would like to be treated. I am grateful I NEVER remember being sworn at by my parents or grandparents and I was never called a Bitch or Stupid to my face let alone in front of other people or my siblings. I am glad I was brought up in a loving home and not just a house. I am grateful I had people who led by example! I was never expected to do something they did not do themselves.

I am grateful I was taken to a church that made God relevant and fostered a personal relationship with Him through times of prayer and Bible Study. I am grateful Church wasn't just something that was to be endured once a week. I am grateful I was taken every week! (Hey, sometimes I even went twice, because I wanted to!)

I am grateful that I have friends who don't do things to excess, except have fun! (Pooparders morning marathon around Prague is the only exception and even he would say it was enjoyable!) I am grateful that there was never any peer pressure to not go to school (bunk, wag, truant), drink, smoke, have sex. In fact we support each others choices even if they are not ours.

I am grateful that at least a hundred years ago my great great grandmother thought certain values were important and instilled them in her children and that all these generations later, they are still prized. I am delighted other families did the same!

I am grateful I am part of a clan that if one person has a real need many will jump at the call.

My uncle used to have a verse on his bedroom door...

I shall pass through this world but once
Any good thing therefore that I can do
Or any kindness that I can show
to ANY human being
Let me do it now
let me not defer it or neglect it
For I shall not pass this way again.

It is nearly his birthday. Thank you for thinking this verse was important enough to stick to that door. It made an impression on me. I try to live it! I see you try to live it too!

As we hurtle into 2009 please pray that love and respect will flourish in homes.
Pray that I may have wisdom and strength of spirit to keep demonstrating a path that is different to the children I come into contact with.