A Lesson in Thankfulness

I played bingo again on Saturday.

Shhhhh...

It was totally innocent, though...no gambling...just playing with my sweet Granny. :)

She was so cute to watch putting her chips on the cards. She won a jingle bell necklace and a bag of chips (which I'm sure she devoured as soon as I left...). It's always fun to play with her.

I was on a schedule crunch, though. We had tournaments at school that day, and I was supposed to be back there by 3:30 or so to help with that. But then the nursing home worker in charge of bingo announced the "cover all" round of bingo was coming up and showed off the glorious grand prize: a Christmas bear music box.

Granny's eyes lit up. "Oh, that's cute," she said. "I'd like to have that."

So, we stayed a bit longer and played. It was a long, grueling match. I began thinking no one was ever going to win! Finally, one old dear was down to 1 number left to cover; Granny was down to 2. I began praying that Granny would actually win (partly because I wanted some kind of "reward" for having stayed way past schedule and partly because I just wanted to see her happy!). The nurse called out the last 2 numbers--Granny's numbers!

"Say 'Bingo!'" I whispered. She covered the last number and called, "Bingo!" With elation, she received her little wind-up bear. She kept playing the music and smiling. ALL the other older folks were jealous. :)

She had to tell all the people we passed en route to her room that she had won and show off the bear. I had to show her roommate and the nurse who came to get her dinner order.




She was so thankful for this dollar store prize; I was thankful to see her happy. And now that I think about it--I need to learn the kind of thankfulness she displayed. Being grateful for the littlest blessings, thankful for ALL God gives, and happy in what He provides--even when it's not the grandest, greatest, or even what I think I want.

There is so much to be thankful for each day. I'm reminded of an Elisabeth Eliot quote.

"We accept and thank God for what is given, not allowing the NOT-GIVEN to spoil it."

Thank you, Lord, for all we have, all you give, and all You are. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!