On a road trip years ago we had ventured into unchartered (by us) territory. I was behind the wheel; my husband was navigating. Anticipating our exit, we were uncertain whether it would be on the left or the right ahead. Scouring the map, my husband gave a command which I wasn’t sure I had heard correctly. “The left?”, I asked as it drew ever nearer. “Right, right, right”, he shouted as I changed lanes looking for a non-existent exit on ….ahem…the right.
Turns out it would have been more productive if he had shouted, correct, correct, correct when I asked if the exit was on the left. Language is funny that way, it is only as helpful as our ability to use it well.
It has been a week of language used well, and for this I am truly thankful.
It was Youth Sunday at my church last Sunday. (I didn’t have a photo of my church, but this window at Notre Dame provides an acceptable substitution.) Three of our high school seniors told their personal story about growing in their faith. I was Director of Children’s Ministry for ten years and watched these kids grow up which was a joy in itself, but when they spoke about the experience, it affirmed years of my work.
They touched my heart with words of gratitude, words of promise, words of affirmation and words of love. Not to mention their love of the word.
My son has me learning German online. He hopes to study in Germany this fall and wants us to come and share some of the sights and experiences. We are still in the planning stage and don’t know yet if it is all going to come together, but he set up an account for me at Duolingo.com so I can chat with the locals just in case.
I am thankful that the huge world is more manageable than it used to be to allow travel and the experience of other cultures. I am thankful for the opportunities my kids have. I am thankful they are eager to share their world with us.
I am thankful for the language of love which we celebrated with a very nice Valentine’s Day. And for a new little person born on 2/12/14, my newest Great-niece, Charlotte Anne. And for Charlotte’s mom and dad, Laura and Nathan~may they enjoy parenthood.
#355 through 365 of my 1000 Gifts.
From the archives...a list of blessings from 2014 that is still meaningful to me today having just seen little Charlotte over the weekend and knowing my son is looking into opportunities for grad school in Germany for next year.
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Penny for your thoughts.