I am grateful for the newest Audi commercial with the ice cream truck music, because it reminded me of the pure happiness of hearing the ice cream truck coming down the street when I was ___ years old. Still gives me a tinge of happiness when I hear the music, because I think of the desire to grab a dollar and run as fast as I can to meet the truck and get an ice cream bar or sandwich. I’m fairly certain I never had that experience of actually getting to spend money at the ice cream truck that was probably non-existent in Haven, but for some odd reason, the thoughts evoke some pretty pleasant emotions. Maybe it was the ice cream truck in San Antonio, and maybe I actually led my girls out to the sidewalk to buy an ice cream. Or maybe it’s all a dream.

I’m still grateful for those pleasant thoughts.

I am grateful for Deb’s devotions that arrive in my inbox every day. I am grateful that I am still on her list.

I am grateful that I have learned to delete negative emails that arrive in my inbox about politics and about social issues. I don’t always agree with my government, but I know what dwelling on those negative emails does to my attitude, and as a Christian, I cannot fill my mind any longer with hate and pass on the messages – if I am going to DO love, I have to do it in this area as well.

I am grateful for my wise generation Bingo players who had no idea what a Pixie stick was, let alone a GIANT pixie stick. Not one of them had ever seen a pixie stick. It was fun to introduce them to the simple pleasure of flavored, tart sugar in a straw. I can just imagine them all sitting in their apartments last night, reclining in their chairs, watching the Royals, and tilting that enormous straw back and getting a mouthful of powder that makes you pucker and squint. I am also grateful that I have plenty of extra to take to the reunion this weekend.

I am grateful for Grace, my Bingo-helper and friend  – when we say our goodbyes in the parking lot every Tuesday evening, she always includes, “Love you!” I love her, too.

I think every bone in her body is pure sweetness.

And finally, I am grateful today for a kick in the proverbial pants from the Holy Spirit. I’ve been talking the talk lately, but I’ve been pretty slack in walking the walk when it comes to loving and serving without conditions and expectations. Funny thing is, when we get to a place of complacency in an area of our lives, God has a way of gently tapping, knocking, nudging, and then finally resorts to kicking in the pants to get us to wake up and learn the lesson that has been in front of us the whole time. I got comfortable in my skin, comfortable in feeling like I’m a good person, doing the right things for the right reasons, but all the while, I was ignoring that sense from the Holy Spirit that I needed to pay attention and listen to His conviction.

I write about my affliction A LOT. Most recently:

I am grateful for the lesson I am still learning that even though I sometimes don’t receive a thank you note or even verbal thanks when I give out of love, if I expect it in return, I didn’t give for the right reason.  It’s kind of the Matthew 6:1-6 lesson that Mom always tried to teach me…

I write about really appreciating when someone gives a gift, when someone does something nice for you. I write about the negative feelings I feel when young people neglect to say “thank you.” It’s a theme with me, and this morning, I was knocked in the head/kicked in the pants and flat out told that it’s a theme for a reason.

I have the opportunity to do something kind, and I hesitate because this person has not “appreciated” my kindness in the past. You know, not receiving a “thank you” makes you not want to give a gift next time…

How utterly pompous of me. How pharisaical of me. How unlike Jesus of me. And I am convicted. I am sorry. I do not want to be this way. I need to change, and I’m asking to be forgiven, once again.

So, God has been placing these lessons in front of me, through the new book by Jen Hatmaker, through real-life “duh!” moments, and now, this morning, through this blog post. I first started reading it as an accident, just wanting to scan and see what he was going to say about the “poor people who are not worthy.” But, as I read, the light turned on. And the further I read, the more convicted I became, and the lesson in the second half of his post glared, “PAY ATTENTION, RHONDA. SWIFT KICK INCOMING TO YOUR BACKSIDE…RIGHT…NOW.” Please take a couple of minutes to read:

There’s no such thing as the worthy poor.

Ugh. I have such a long way to go on this journey. I am grateful that He hasn’t given up on me. I am grateful that I am covered in His grace. I am grateful for this lesson I am learning.