Country music.
It’s a love-hate sorta thing.
Meaning, you’re either someone who loves it, or you’re someone who hates it.
I happen to be a country music lover–despite being raised in a state of mostly haters.
So it wasn’t strange that I was blasting my favorite country station as I headed out to tackle my looong to-do list this Saturday morning. And it wasn’t strange that I was singing the tunes at the top of my lungs despite the inquisitive looks of those driving by. It even wasn’t strange when I shed a few tears listening to Brad Paisley’s Letter to Me–that song gets me every time.
What was a bit out of the ordinary, was the moment I had–right there, on the freeway, in the car, by myself.
One of those moments where you become overwhelming grateful for the life you’ve been given.
One of those moments where suddenly your problems, stresses and trials cease to exists–and you’re merely focused on your blessings.
One of those moments where you feel inspired to call up your spouse and say something like:
Do you know how lucky we are?
Do you know how good we have it?
I’m so happy being married to you?
Thank you of all you do!
Give our son a kiss for me.
And then naturally your husband agrees, but likely he hangs up confused as to what prompted such a moment of gushing–especially since you have been doing nothing but nagging him all morning about the garage that has yet to be cleaned out and the nursery that has yet to be set up.
While I’m frequently grateful,
I don’t feel overwhelmed as often.
I tend to get caught up in the rush.
Sprinting through each Saturday, checking things off my list.
But after I hung up with Ben,
I eased my petal off the gas a bit,
and I took a deep breath.
I wanted this moment to last.
I began to think about every other person in the world,
who, at this very moment, may be sharing the exact same overwhelming feeling of happiness and gratitude.
I thought about a new Daddy holding his baby for the first time.
I thought about the 22 year old young lady walking across the graduation platform at that very moment.
I thought about the couple holding hands in the park in celebration of their 75th wedding anniversary.
I thought about the teacher opening a letter of gratitude from a student she had 20 years earlier.
I thought about a Mom beaming with pride as her child bravely jumped into the pool for the very first time.
Somewhere in the world, at that exact moment,
these emotions were being felt…
these experiences were being had…
these people actually existed…
And acknowledging this fact,
and knowing that I was likely sharing this emotion with thousands of others,
prolonged my moment a bit longer
and increased my gratitude even more
and ultimately, made this Saturday better than most.
What are you grateful for today?
29 Comments
misty
May 7, 2012 at 2:12 amThat was nice, I have those moments too. I am grateful that I am able to enjoy them today, that I have peace, and God in my life today. That my family is happy and healthy, while I may not always have everything I want, I always have everything I need.
Love, Misty
Lau
May 7, 2012 at 2:13 amLOVE THIS! I have those moments and look over at my sweetheart and express my love and gratitude for all that is ours and shed a few tears…
But today, i am grateful for that one moment while I sat in church, OVERWHELMED by the LOVE God has for me. He never leaves my side. He ALWAYS knows what is best for me. And today, I felt that love, so strongly I could almost feel His arms wrapped around me. Incredible amounts of joy!
Sp, today, i am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father. One who doesn’t just give me what I want, but what I NEED!
LIFE IS SO GOOD!
Stacey
May 7, 2012 at 2:27 amMiss your posts!!! More, sister, more!!!!!!!!!!!
Heather
May 7, 2012 at 3:28 amEvery Shabbat during silent meditation, I think of something I was grateful for on each day of the week. It’s not quite the same as the kind of moment you’re describing, because those are few and far between and that’s what makes them so beautiful. But it’s nice to have space to think about what I’m grateful for each week, as I let go of each day and move into Shabbat, the space between one week and the next.
Heidi
May 7, 2012 at 3:42 amSuch a wonderful post. I am grateful that 3 years after a messy divorce I am realizing that the pain brought me to where I am today and that I am truly a better person and a better mom now than I’ve ever been before.
kendall
May 7, 2012 at 4:04 amLove this post – Actually, I love that I always leave your blog feeling inspired 🙂
kendall
songbirdsandbuttons.blogspot.com
Ilene @ Much Love, illy
May 7, 2012 at 4:19 ami love your writing so much and i love the perspective you have, friend.
i am so grateful for you.
grateful that i am headed to GA to see my fiance.
gratefulness is something i’ve been praying more and more especially when it’s so easy to just wish the next season was here already. thanks for this reminder, girl. love you!
Jackie
May 7, 2012 at 4:31 amthis is such a beautiful piece of writing 🙂 I was that 21 year old girl on Saturday walking across the graduation platform. So thankful for the fact that I finished school, but even more greatful for the group of people who love me and support me so much cheering when they announced my name. Saturday was full of people who love me and I was so so thankful for every second of it.
Angie
May 7, 2012 at 4:52 amToday I am grateful for the sweet baby boy growing inside me and for his big sister Ella and that they will be able to meet in a few short weeks (or any day now).
Jade
May 7, 2012 at 5:40 amI am amazed at your ability to type out thoughts that you had while driving earlier. That might not make sense, but I have some of my best blog post ideas and thoughts while I’m driving, and by the time I get to the computer, my mind goes blank!
Last July I started a challenge…every Thursday I write out 20 things that I am thankful for on my blog. I’ve done it every week and noticed some amazing things. I tend to look at things through a “grateful” filter a little more often, and I love it! Thank you for this great post! It’s so touching!
Roberta
May 7, 2012 at 7:45 amI too have moments like this while watching movies or listening to music! Husband too gets confused when I declare my love at unexpected moments! I had one today watching TV, when unexpectedly our wedding song came on “in a tv wedding” and I burst into tears. Was it because husband is away at work this week, was it cause I too am sick and feeling sorry for myself, was it cause at that moment I realised how alone I felt living 1000kms away from all my family. No, its just because I love him so much (and a little crazy at times too)!
Brittan
May 7, 2012 at 9:42 amThis is such a wonderful post. You had me hooked on every word on the screen. I love moments like that…and country music.
BTW, great picture of you!
radiomomrhetoric
May 7, 2012 at 11:41 am🙂
I am grateful for my job in country music–and listeners who realize that the music is always telling a story. Making us think about the lyrics and how they affect us all. There are so many haters out there that have never stopped to LISTEN to the stories that country music tells. I have heard countless insults to the Country Music industry, I try to defend sometimes…sometimes I have to chalk it up to ignorance. And…I will say I am grateful for the country music artists. After being in the music business for almost 20 years, each of those artists are so much more REAL and in touch with their listeners than other genre artists I have met. In my experience, they have always been the genuinely “thankful” ones.
I am glad to hear you are a “country girl” 🙂
Jamie
May 7, 2012 at 11:41 amI am often filled with an overwhelming sense of thankfulness when I play with my 2 year old. When she is not whining and fussing and being a 2 year old, she is so sweet and silly. I feel so lucky to be able to be her Mom.
Amanda @ lillys&lollipops
May 7, 2012 at 12:13 pmI love country music, but I’m a southern girl, I live in Georgia and I’m from Florida so it’s really no surprise! I remember when I was pregnant I was driving and busted out in tears to ” it won’t be like this for long” by Darius Rutger. Then came home and made my husband listen to it and started cryin again! Talk about cray preggy hormones! I also get this same overwhelming feeling of being blessed, and like all of the sudden everything is going to ok bc everything is perfect. I wish I had this happen everyday. ” dear God, thank you for this beautiful life, and forgive me of I don’t love it enough”
Dani
May 7, 2012 at 12:53 pmI had that moment sitting in church yesterday, realizing that all those small things I was sweating this week was not what I should be worrying about. I should be grateful for my children husband and my life in general because I have such a great life filled with loved ones both family and friends!
Amy Critchlow
May 7, 2012 at 2:12 pmI love your posts. You are awesome!
Rachel Nicole
May 7, 2012 at 4:26 pmThis is gorgeous. I’m grateful for my parents. I just hod tonsillitis surgery, and i’m recovering, and its no fun, but they’re always there to help me through the tough spots.
Jennifer
May 7, 2012 at 6:01 pmLoved this. : )
Brittany @ Love Stitched
May 7, 2012 at 7:30 pmit’s nice to have those moments and to treasure them when they are there.
Jessica
May 7, 2012 at 7:44 pmI am a new reader. But I have to say I have felt this way this week. My husband is in medical school, which is an program in the Caribbean. and a lot of our friends have to repeat the semester. But he passed and it was quit a humbling surprise.we felt an overwhelming feeling of being grateful and have been on cloud nine ever since.
Kassi @ Truly Lovely
May 7, 2012 at 10:57 pmCountry music will do that to you, right?! So thought provoking! Some songs anyway. I’m a country music lover to obviously. 😉
Lisa A
May 8, 2012 at 2:28 amFirst off, I wanted to say that growing up in Cali, I HATED country music. However, that all changed when we moved to Wisconsin. Now I am a big fan and Blake Shelton is my all time crush 😉
I love that your post went from country music to something so deep. Today was a tough day. It was stressful, busy, E was grumpy, the house was a mess and I found myself in a bad mood all day long. This helps me put perspective on life. Even with the bad day and stress, I am so grateful. Grateful for my husband and son. Grateful for having a house to call our own. Grateful for spending my days with E.
So thank you for turning my bad day into a grateful night.
Maria @ All Things Luxurious
May 8, 2012 at 3:44 amI have moments like this, too, every once in a while — and they are truly magical. Through prayer, I find that I have more and more. God’s blessings are so great, and I am so thankful for the love I have from my husband and my family. Blessings to you and yours! 🙂
Michelle {the Momma Bird}
May 8, 2012 at 7:19 amI’m pretty sure you and I experienced the same “feeling” mine was just days before yours. I ended up tearing up to “good life” by One Republic. My hubs was over in the UK while I was visiting our family so I wasn’t able to call him without getting a hefty charge on my phone but I didn’t care.
We are certainly blessed with our lives aren’t we?! I’m so glad you posted this. I needed to read that there are others out there that still have a heart and care about all of the many blessings our Lord gives us.
xoxo
Tracy
May 9, 2012 at 4:26 amI have these moments more often since having my second child and after my dad (at 56) had a major stroke. Thank you for this post. It’s nice to know that more positive vibes are being put into this world.
Kasey Williams
May 10, 2012 at 6:01 pmI love reading your blog and loved this post. Very uplifting and gave me warm fuzzies! It is easy to get in a slump and start looking at all of the bad in your life, but if you take a moment and reflect on the good, the bad doesn’t seem as big anymore. God is awesome and so big!!
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May 21, 2012 at 1:08 am[…] I came home rejuvenated and and overwhelmed with another one of those “moments“. […]
Toni
May 22, 2012 at 1:11 amSomeone should really do a study on the relationship between pregnancy hormones and country music! I remember sitting in the walmart parking lot bawling my eyes out because we had just heard – If you get there before I do by Collin Raye. My husband (who never listens to song lyrics) just sat there staring at me like I was a nutcase covered in snot! lol
I didn’t have words to explain what I was feeling (and he wouldn’t have understood through all the blubbering anyway), but you’ve done a lovely job describing was going through my head.