CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON -- The Moral of the Story

“God has two dwellings -- one in heaven and the other in a thankful

heart.”

-- Izaak Walton

I had a very full weekend two weeks ago. I had a full house and a full

heart. I had a pretty full stomach too.

Friday night and Saturday, my husband Jon and I had the fun of having

nine college girls stay at our house. Our daughter Kelly brought eight

friends home with her to go to a football game.

Having nine girls of any age together in one room is guaranteed to be

lively. But having nine bright enthusiastic, energetic young women

together was incredible. It was so much fun to be around them and so nice

for us that they wanted us around.

I wish I could have measured the decibels of laughter and the

magnitude of fun. They clearly love learning and obviously love life. I

was also impressed with their love for one another, for their families

and for God.

Our house isn’t particularly large, but it was large enough. My

kitchen isn’t very big, but it was big enough for all of us to cram in

happily together.

The girls moved furniture and slept in sleeping bags on the floor in

one room. The room isn’t huge, but it worked and they were happy. My food

wasn’t gourmet, but that didn’t matter either because the entire time was

seasoned with love and fun. The girls were all very appreciative of

anything and everything.

“Thank you so much for letting us descend on you and take over your

house,” one of them said.

“This is such a treat for us, you’re welcome any time,” I answered.

I meant it too.

The house was deafeningly quiet after they left. But the next night

our kitchen and table were filled again. This time it was friends we

hadn’t seen for a while. When I invited them for dinner, I told them how

busy we’d been and that whatever I cooked would be simple.

“I don’t care what you serve. I’m just looking forward to being

together,” one of them said.

And that’s true. I could have served cereal, and we would all still

have been happy and satisfied. We just enjoyed being together.

We talked about each other’s lives and what we were thankful for, as

well as how we could pray for one another.

The next day I talked on the phone to a friend who was depressed. By

the end of the conversation, I noticed a change in her voice, and I asked

why.

“While talking to you I looked around and saw pictures of my friends

and realized how blessed I really am. I don’t have much, but I have

enough,” she said.

By giving thanks for what she did have, she was blessed with a new

attitude, a thankful one.

Next Thursday is Thanksgiving, an ideal day to thank God for the many

blessings we do have. You may or may not be with family, and you may or

may not have a feast to eat. But if the meal is seasoned with plenty of

thanks-giving, then it will be a feast indeed.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at o7

[email protected] or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140-No. 505,

Newport Beach, CA 92658.