My Fireplace, Unbroken, and Lack of Control

It’s been a while since I’ve submitted a Thankful Thursday. I’ve been thankful, but I’ve not felt compelled to write about it.

Today I’m writing because Thankful Thursday is a discipline that I want to keep at least once a month if not weekly.

As my wife drifts off in the bed next to me and slight scent of maple embers floats upstairs, I’d like to express a little gratitude.

1. Our Fireplace: We’ve had fires 5 out of the last 6 nights. While i enjoy a nice, well-used fireplace, my wife absolutely adores them–to the point where she even relieves me from some of the bed-time mayhem when I get home from work to go fetch the firewood. Evenings are a bit more cozy when the hearth is aflame.

2. Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand:  This book of Louis Zamperini’s amazing and harrowing experiences after his bomber crashed into the Pacific during World War II is absolutely riveting. Hillenbrand, who also penned Seabiscuit, writes so compellingly that I could almost hear , smell, taste, and see what Zamperini and his cohorts endured. It has caused great conviction in me when I’m tempted to complain or whine about any circumstance.

You will not be wasting your time if you pick the book up–in my humble, average joe opinion.

3. Lack of Control:  There have been times in my life when I’ve felt the need to control what people thought about me, what they did, and where in the row all my ducks were arranged.  Lately, I’ve not felt so concerned with these things. I struggle a little with not being able to control the listening skills of my kids, but on the whole, I realize that (a) the best I can do is the best I can do, (b) if I make/made a mistake, all I can do is my best moving forward, and (c) my best doesn’t guarantee me anything except for the satisfaction of knowing the effort was there.

I’m supposed to be a man of faith. One of the great things about faith is that I can trust that Someone much smarter, loving, and powerful than I is in control. If, by some crazy chance, there is no such Someone, I still don’t think I’d be any better at pulling all the strings. I’m sure the folks in my life appreciate it when I don’t try to take up the reins.

If I had a fourth bullet point, it’d be that Melissa d’Arabian accidentally linked to my post on cooking tips on her Facebook fan page. I got more hits that day than any other day. Thankfully it surpassed this sad post as my most read piece.

I hope you enjoy your Thursday and the upcoming weekend! If you have a moment leave a comment about what you’re thankful for.

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