Thank You God I am Grateful

     This is a story that was shared with me and it has a great message for all of us.    

     There was a grandmother shopping at the American Girl Store when she noticed a young girl looking at the dolls.  The girl was dressed in worn out clothes, her hair was tangled, and she appeared to be in need.  The grandmother asked the little girl, "Is your mother around?"  The little girl answered, "Yes, she is slepping in the car." The grandmother said, "Why is she sleeping in the car?"  The little girl replied, "That's where we live. Since she was sleeping I came in here to look at the dolls."  The grandmother then asked the little girl, "Would you like one of these dolls?"  The little girl couldn't believe what she was hearing,  She said, "Oh yes, I would love one of these dolls."  So the grandmother told the young girl to pick one out and together the two of them walked to the cash register.  As the grandmother was paying for the doll, the little girl looked up to her and asked, "Are you God?"   The grandmother was so moved at what she just heard, she looked at the little girl with a smile and tears in her eyes and said,  "No honey, I am not God, but I want to be like God and help others." 

     Thank You God I Am Grateful for this story because it has touched my heart so much.  I do not know if it is true or not, but I'm sure there is truth in it as so many people help others in so many ways.  The spirit of God dwells within each and everyone of us.  As I heard this story, I thought to myself, do I bring out the spirit of God within me to touch others' lives as much as I can?  Do I help to heal, to give, to love?  Would a young child ask me?  "Are you God?"   

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     Everyday we go to sleep, and for those who are lucky to have a place to call home and a bed of our own -- it's a treasured spot. But, on most days we never even think twice about it.  Our beds.  The place we can rest that is ours.  When you travel a lot, do you ever get that feeling that you can't wait to get into your own bed?  I'm thinking about my good night's sleep that I'm about to take and I'm remembering to say Thank You God I Am Grateful.  Today, I was reminded how wonderful it is to have that safe and comfortable place that is mine. 
    A friend of mine was sent out of town on business.  After a very long exhausting day, she got to her hotel and it wasn't like the usual hotels her company reserves for her.  The hotel lobby was old and dirty and when she got to her room it wasn't much better.  Exhausted she wanted to cry and thought about sleeping in her car, but instead she called her employer to see if she could go to another hotel.  Her employer agreed and off she went.  At first she didn't want to call because she didn't want to seem ungrateful, but the condition of the hotel and the threat of bed bugs these days provoked her to leave that location. 
     When she finally arrived at the new hotel it was clean and she felt safe.  She walked into the room and wanted to cry, this time the tears were tears of joy.  It was clean and she knew she could relax here.  But one thing she knew,  there was no place like home and the comfort and security of her own bed. 
     Not everyone is as lucky as most of us who are probably reading this.  For some that dirty hotel room would be a gift.  For others, including myself, it would be difficult to sleep there. 
     It may sound silly but I'm remembering tonight not to take my comfortable, safe and secure bed for granted. Think about it.  For most of us, we love our own beds.   So when you get under the covers in your own bed tonight, give a little shout out to God and say "Thank You God I Am Grateful" .
     Good-night.

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   I'm amazed and humbled by the spreading of my "Thank You God I Am Grateful" wristbands.  Irene W. from Arlington, Texas wrote to me and said she was ordering more wristbands this year and her daughter is never without hers on.  Last year, just before Christmas, Irene bought her daughter and her daughter's unit in Iraq wristbands after a mortar narrowly missed them on their base.  Irene says she and her daughter and the unit in Iraq never take it off.  They wear the "Thank You God I Am Grateful" wristband as a reminder of God's grace and protection.  

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      Ten years ago today millions of people started their day like any other day.  What looked like a beautiful day turned out to be one of the most tragic days in the history of the United States.  The face of hate rose with the black smoke and flames coming from the twin towers.  And while that hate caused so much pain and sorrow for so many and a lasting sorrow that some will live with all their days -- Love rose out of the ashes.  Love from people helping people, rescuing others, comforting others.  No matter what color, faith or orientation -- Love rose.   Thank You God I Am Grateful   

    I pray that all of us remember the love that we had for one another and do our best to practice that love.  Let us all continue to raise the spirit of love for one another regardless of color, faith or orientation.  . 

     As I look at my wrist and read the words Thank You God I Am Grateful  -- I am reminded on why I created this wristband, it's to remember to find the good, see the light, and not to dwell in the ashes. 

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     While making my regular Saturday trip to the post office to mail out "Thank You God I Am Grateful" wristbands.  I noticed a homeless man standing outside the door.  I had two large packages and just enough cash on me to mail them both.  The man asked me if he could carry my packages.  I told him I was ok and that I appreciated his offer, and would like to pay him for his help, however I didn't have any extra cash on me.  I told him I was fine to carry the packages alone.  He insisted on trying to help me and told me that it was ok if I didn't have anything to give to him.  When he saw I was managing just fine, he then said, "let me at least open the door for you."  Which he did. 

     Once I paid for the packages, I had one dollar left over.  When I left the post office, I gave the dollar to the man.  It was very cold outside, with lots of snow and he had many layers of old clothes on.  He hair wasn't combed, he had only a few teeth, but he had beautiful, kind eyes.  He thanked me and said "God bless you", and he was sincerely grateful.  What impressed me the most about him was his willingness to still help me, once I told him I didn't have any extra money on me for his efforts.  He still reached out to help.  When I got back into my car, I noticed my briefcase was still in the car from work the night before.  I keep an emergency $20.00 bill in the case.  I reached into my briefcase, grabbed the $20-bucks and walked back to the man and gave it to him.  I told him I didn't realize I had this with me and he was so thrilled.

    Fast forward to one week later.  This past Saturday.  I make my trip to the post office and I see my homeless friend there standing by the door.  I was so touched by his kindness and gratitude last week, that I had money out ready to give to him this time.  I said hello, and handed him the money.  He was grateful and  then said...  "I wanted to thank you for what you did for me last weekend."  He said, "I had a great weekend, I had a nice meal and I was able to give a friend  on the streets $2.00 that she needed.  Here was someone that gave to someone else what little he had. 

    This story is not to suggest you give to everyone you see begging on the streets.  I have been approached by many con artists in my day.  And some say it is best to give to the shelters and agencies that can directly help. 

     But this experience was special, here was a man not begging, but willing to work for his money even if it was just to carry my packages.  He was grateful for what he received, and he had the heart to share it with others.  I gave him a Thank You God I Am Grateful wristband too.  His gift to me was his sincere gratefulness, and the compassion to help someone else.  

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