I'm Rich!

 

I follow a handful of RV travelers on Instagram, and one of them (@shaylaasmith) shared a multi-slide post the other day that started with “I’m Rich.” Each slide proceeded to offer a reason she feels like her life is rich: her dog, the beauty she gets to see each day in her travels, relationships, etc.

                It made me think about my own life and the things that make me rich. It’s an exercise we could all stand to do, really. In this world that makes us feel like we most certainly are not enough and do not have enough, we have so much that makes us rich. Today I celebrate the reasons I’m rich, and I hope you’ll do the same!

                I’m rich with the love of my sweet husband…who goes above and beyond every single day to take care of me, to make me feel special and chosen, and to lead us well. He prays for me, tends to all the icky household chores, and always makes time for conversation and joy.

                I’m rich with a beautiful and loyal puppy…who makes us laugh every single day. Her mannerisms, facial expressions, and personality are also rich, and I’m so glad she’s ours. Who would have ever guessed that the tiny little peanut with eyes still newborn-shut would end up becoming such a blessing to our lives?

                I’m rich with a warm and cozy home on a lake…a dream I never could have imagined would actually come true in my lifetime. The views, the quietness, the comfort are all exactly what I would have imagined lake-life would be like, and it really, really is.

I’m rich with so many little things that make life friendlier…all first world luxuries that I too often take for granted. The fuzzy blankets and full wardrobe, little kitchen gadgets and a cupboard full of tasty food, electricity and heat (and air conditioning in its season), a comfy couch and equally comfy bed…how many people wish for these things?

I’m rich with a job I love…after so many years of struggles to find the place that fit me best…that I fit in best. I love the staff I get to do life with every day, I love the things on my job description, and I love how every single day looks different.

I’m rich with a robust library…filled with books that have enriched my heart and some that are yet to enrich my heart. While the reader in me finds a robust library a life necessity, I also know it’s really not, and to be able to own so many books is a gift.

I’m rich with memories…captured and preserved in my photo albums. Ryan often thanks me for taking so many pictures and taking time to do something with them, because we both appreciate the richness of the memories before our faces.

I’m rich with friends…who take time to encourage me, send me happy mail, and do the dailyness of life with me. Moving around like we have done so frequently in the past five years has changed up the dynamics of most of our friendships, but I’m grateful for each one, regardless of how often I do or do not get to see them right now!

I’m rich with family…my own and those I’ve gained by marriage, who have shaped me into who I am today. Learning from them has provided me so much that I need to live the life God has created me to live.

I’m rich with words…and have been reminded multiple times lately that writing them is a gift that not everyone enjoys. I can’t imagine a life without words spilling everywhere, and I am freshly thankful for them.

I’m rich with abilities…that I too often take for granted. I might often pick on myself for my lack of strength at the gym or my inability to run distances, but I can move around freely in ways I know many others wish they could, and for that, I am grateful.

I’m rich with resources…to learn and to live in ways that didn’t exist not that many years ago. For all that is readily at my fingertips, I am thankful and hopefully thorough in how I use it.

If your days feel long and heavy, I encourage you to make a list of the ways your own life is rich! You might just be surprised at how quickly the list grows!