Simple Thanks

One of the things I love about my relationship with my father is learning from his perspective on life. Jeffrey (yes, I call him Jeffrey) has lived a full life with tragedy and joy. He lost both of his parents by the time he was in his mid-teens and grew up poor in Trinidad and Tobago, Through his faith and perseverance he moved to the United States, earned a PhD., and is an amazing professor and soccer coach. I could go on and on about what he had done and continues to do.

My father is my go-to person for my questions about life and faith. One day he and I were talking about prayer and my father told me that when he prays he doesn't pray for anything. I asked him for clarification on this. I mean surely if nothing else Jeffrey must pray for guidance or discernment, something, Right? Wrong. My dad doesn't pray for anything. My dad's prayers consist of thanks. Nothing more than thanks. I was amazed.

In Untitled this week we were talking about when we are thankful...during the obvious times right? When we get something we have been hoping and praying for, when we just miss crashing into a car on the freeway, when our nephew is born healthy, or when a loved one goes into remission. That is when we are thankful. But how about just getting up in the morning? What about being thankful for merely breathing? We forget about the mundane or routine because we have come to expect it. Who remembers the little things.

And the conversation with Jeffrey came right back to me. His prayers are mere thanks--for nothing but thanks.

I am working towards that...

-RXW