Followers

January 15, 2012

Gratitude, it isn't just a word

A'salaamu alaikum ya'll. So I like to think of myself as a grateful slave. I noticed I sure say it often enough. Guess in case no one is really paying attention. "Yes my life is hard, I work xx hours a week, I'm a single mom, BUT look how grateful I am???" Cue picture of me smiling, baking cookies with Aaminah.

OK so to cut me just a bit of slack I seriously try to cultivate a grateful attitude but I realized tonight how seriously lacking I truly was.

Aaminah vomited. Not really sick just an upset stomach. Normally, as a seasoned mother of 3, it ain't gonna phase me. A little puke, a lotta puke, whatev right? Well let's factor in my xx hour work week ;-) and the fact I don't have a washer and dryer in my apartment (making a late night laundry load impossible) and it becomes a big deal quick.

So I'm feeling a bit stressed and a lot crapped upon. Yes I'm gonna admit it. Today would have been the one day I had free to actually get to a laundro-mat to do the wash and now it's bedtime and little mama is exhausted. So what do I do??

Make dua? Call a friend and ask for help?

Nope. I facebook!

:-(

I post: "Aaminah vomited all over our bed. Worst part? No time til next Sunday to get to laundromat as I haven't gotten a washer and dryer yet. Alhamdulillah. (Praise God in all things.)

Yes look I me! I tacked on that "alhamdulillah" lest someone think I am ungrateful. I even translate it so my non-Muslim friends can get in on the action and admire how, even in the face of puked-on, stinky laundry, I can still praise ALLAH in all things.

So I roll up the offending pile of covers and re-make our futon (still waiting on those movers!) and settle down. Can't sleep yet, make dua???

Nope, check facebook.

And wow. Honestly I am crying right now. I had 6 people offer to wash them for me. All my bestest of best friends, my closest family members right???

Wrong. How about my middle school (daaaaang UofA, how long ago was THAT??? 27 yrs ya'll) English teacher and a friend from my school days, a sister I know at the masjid but am not tight friends with and a few others.

Wow, it was such a humbling thing. So I post something about how can I complain about ANYTHING when I have so many who would drive so far (an hour!) to pick up my dirty laundry, wash it, and return it???

My dearest sisters, Allah is truly merciful. We sit here and we feel alone and we struggle and we do our best and we fail. Yes we fail, not just in these earthly endeavors but we fail in our responsibilities to our Creator and what do we get in return?

Blessings past counting. That's what I get and it awes and amazes and humbles me. I cannot fathom the love Allah, the Creator of the WORLDS, the Merciful, the All-Powerful, has for me, His most imperfect of creations, that I should be so blessed in so many ways.

My lesson learned tonight was true gratitude and how to fully experience a humbleness of spirit that uplifted me. 

So let's all say "alhamdulillah!" and mean it. 

Ma salaama ya'll. :-)  

6 comments:

Dee said...

Alhamdulilah! <3

Angelle said...

Alhamdulilah, and I mean it.

zanjabil said...

Masha'Allah!

Karima said...

alhumdulila i loved reading this post, made me have a think.

Anonymous said...

Wa Alaykom Asalam,

By now, inshahallah, everything has settled at your home and gotten clean-up, sanitized and de-puked. No matter how many kids, that surprise spew is upsetting on everyone.

This is the first time I'm reading this, though it's been a month. In that month, I made a decision to end FB. So far so good. I really read in your words the number of times you found yourself going to people (on FB) instead of God. Almost in the same way people would go to idols who could not really help them either. Obviously, you're not meaning to worship your friends---I know and please don't misunderstand me. What I mean is...on FB we get only a feeling of help but not actual help. It's virtual help from a virtual friend. Though those people write that they'd come over, they don't. They can't. They are unable. In the end you still have to do it yourself.

I'm still coming to terms with my decision to end FB. Your blog helped me to see another reason why I'm glad I have. Thank you for sharing.

SippingChai said...

Wow, great post. Loved the twist in the story. Hope you're feeling better and things are getting easier IA! Haven't seen a post in awhile. Looking forward to reading your next post.