Happy Thanksgiving

Middle Age Minutes

It's holiday time again! It seems like it was forever ago to me that we celebrated Thanksgiving. Or is it that I don't remember too much about last year just because!? Well hopefully I'll remember this year because things are different around the Barrett house these days.

For starters, working part time since August of this year has allowed me time to reflect on the more important things in life. It didn't come easy though. It was difficult to let go of the full time career path I was on. Working outside of the home was supposed to only last till the last child graduated from college.  BUT 11 years or so after that milestone, I was still working. The salary was very good, after all; how did I get to the point that I made THAT much money??? It was rewarding in that regard, sometimes bordering on prideful. And, you know, it takes energy to manage money. Many lessons were learned there. In addition, the last three years at work had become very stressful causing extra energy just to survive in the job. After those three years (I'm slow to give in; sometimes tenacity isn't a good thing), three weeks away from the job on vacation, and an offer to work part time in a new capacity, I saw things in a renewed light. It took being away from the everyday demands and joys (yes, there were great times too) of the job, I saw and craved an opportunity to grow in a different way. I longed to get to know my kitchen again, my husband again, and my children again, AND to feel energized on my job again. AGAIN means many things which I am realizing each day. I've gotten to know the bread machine and sewing machine again, my husband's great company again and my children's (and grandchildren's) laughter, hopes and dreams more too. One thing I didn't realize I would feel so strongly again  is the pain that poor children experience each day; the pain that abused children feel. This is where my prayers are leading these days. Lord, during this "extra"time you've given me, please help me to help those children who need relief from pain. Show me where to use that "extra time again!"

True religion and undefiled is this to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. James 1:27.

So this Thanksgiving I am grateful for being able to let go of..... for more time with my family and friends, and the needy. There is so much more I've yet to discover again, but this Thanksgiving, I know I will have more time to relish each person who sits around our table of blessing.
Happy Thanksgiving!