Four-eyes and Metal Mouth

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. (Psalm 107:1-3 ESV).

Thanksgiving brings so many thoughts and memories to us. Last year I had my eyes checked. I was amazed at how much my right eye had weakened. However after the new prescription was written and new glasses fitted, I am amazed at how much clearer the world has become! That experience took me back to the third grade when I first began to wear glasses. For whatever reason, we had not had my eyes checked until then. What a difference it made in my life to be able to actually see things I had never before seen! Of course, wearing glasses had its down side. This being well before the time of contact lenses. I had the popular black heavy frames that some of you may remember from the 1950’s. I was the recipient of many schoolyard jokes. “Four eyes” seemed to be the most common tease, though there were others. That same year was when I made my first visit to the orthodontist. And, of course braces were put in also! So, now I was “four-eyes” and “metal-mouth” all at the same time.

There were days when I dreaded going to school. Of course I am now very happy to be able to see and have straight teeth. Isn’t it funny how easy it is to be grateful after the pain? It is hard to remember to be grateful during the daily grind. I mean, of course, when the Thanksgiving holidays arrive we give our annual token speech of giving thanks for the air we breathe, the friends and family which surround us, the plentiful supply of food at our table, and most importantly our state of health. But actually THINK about it. There are countless numbers of people who don't have food, except for maybe a bowl of rice a day. What if that was all you had to eat - the same white, soggy rice one time a day, seven days a week, fifty-two weeks a year. Or what if you had an unusual illness that wouldn't allow you to speak or walk or even nod your head yes. These are things we take for granted.

And what of the non-necessities in life? How many times have you thanked God for the cute little Christmas ornaments for your very first Christmas tree with your newly wedded spouse? Or for that parking place you found close to the front of the mall so you don't lose that "holiday spirit" while having to park a mile away. Or maybe for that hug someone gave you when you found out your dog ran away. Or even for your eyelashes because without them we would have a hard time keeping dust and particles out of our eyes. These are things we never stop to think about and I actually have never thought of until now. But we must not take these minuscule things for granted. Everything is a blessing. Nothing is guaranteed. That is except for God and His Son, Jesus, who came down to earth to save us from the depths of hell. He gave us eternal life - all we have to do is believe. Words cannot express our gratitude to the almighty Creator of the Universe. This Thanksgiving, think about all the things, small and great, to thank Him for providing.