Well it’s Friday thank the Lord. I thought I woulld share a story with you this morning. But before we get started Buttercup’s it’s gonna be a bumpy ride this morning because we have some things to talk about! 😂 So grab your coffee, pull up a chair, and come sit on our digital front porch for a little while. I’ve got a story to share, and as I look back on yesterday, I can’t help but be grateful, thankful, and blessed.
Sometimes we make plans, and sometimes those plans change so many times that we don’t know what we’re doing until the very last minute. Yesterday was definitely one of those days! But you know what? Sometimes the Lord has a way of working things out when we’re busy trying to figure everything out ourselves.
Let me tell you what happened. But first let me remind you When Plans Change, Sometimes There’s a Reason and many time yesterday I was reminded of this. I was sitting in my room talking with Charlie about Six Flags. We had been trying to figure out who was going to go, and since Bradley had wigged out after the last two events, I told Charlie he needed to see if Joseph wanted to go.
So I reached out and texted Joseph, and he was SO excited! He even asked his mom if he could go. His mom was working, but Lisa and I were talking, and I’m glad we’re able to do that. That’s a good thing, too. Or is it because sometimes I think she pushes limits she should push.
Then came the part that made me laugh a little. Charlie finally admitted that he really didn’t want to take Bradley. He just didn’t want to hang out with him because he wanted to bring Ghost along. Honestly, I had kind of suspected that all along, but sometimes it takes a while for our kids to tell us what’s really going on.
But I was proud of Charlie when he did and I can understand why he didn’t want to take them and I’m glad he didn’t push it. Then Charlie asked if he could invite his friend Andrew, and I told him absolutely! I love Andrew. Unfortunately, Andrew had to work and couldn’t go.
Then Charlie asked if he could invite another friend, John. I don’t know John, but I told him that was fine, too. But a little later, Charlie came back and said he really wanted his dad to go. And I said, “Oh, okay. That’s fine. We can do that!” When David heard that he couldn’t stop smiling because him and Charlie haven’t done anything together in a while.
Meanwhile, David had already called and texted me to remind me that we were going to Six Flags on Friday because I hadn’t been able to find anyone else to go. I said, “Oh, okay! This Friday?” David said, “Well, yeah, this Friday!” Apparently, I hadn’t quite caught up with the plans! 😂
So I started scrambling to get things done. But as the day went on, the plans came together, and we figured out what everybody was going to do. Now Charlie, Joseph, and David are going to Six Flags together! And here’s another little detail that surprised me. Charlie gave Joseph one of his really good watches. He didn’t even ask about giving it to Bradley, which caught my attention.
Our kids sometimes show us where their hearts are through the little things they do. I’m not going to pretend I know everything Charlie is thinking, but I can tell you that yesterday gave me plenty to think about. Not Every Conversation Needs to Become an Argument and thank the LORD it wasn’t and Charlie didn’t throw in the towel before we got everything figured out.
Later, my phone started blowing up with messages from Bradley. He had heard that we were going to Six Flags the next day at four o’clock. I told him yes, we was. But we hadn’t called him because I had figured he would need to pick up his girlfriend from work because that was what he’d been saying.
Then he wanted to know what time we were going and what time we would be home. Well, how was I supposed to tell him what time we’d be home when I didn’t know myself? We didn’t even have all the plans figured out! I told him that Charlie might have found someone else to go with, and I left it at that.
Normally, I don’t like drama. I don’t want to get in the middle of everybody’s disagreements, and I don’t want a simple outing to turn into a big production. Sometimes, the best thing we can do is step back and let our families work through their friendships and decisions without us trying to manage every single detail.
Later that evening, David went to check on Charlie because Charlie seemed a little down. I’m not entirely sure why, but I know our kids have their own feelings and things they’re working through, even when they don’t tell us everything. Earlier, Charlie had come into my room and said, “Mom, I’m leaving.” I said, “Oh, okay!”
He went out to do DoorDash with Joseph. Now, mind you, they only made eight dollars. But do you know what? Charlie had eight dollars in his pocket that he earned himself. He didn’t have to ask David or me for the money. And I thought that was wonderful! He used it to put gas in the car showing me he is growing up.
It might not sound like a lot of money to some people, but when you’re a young adult learning to make your own way, earning your own money is something to celebrate. I’m grateful he had that opportunity. Sometimes the Blessing Is Simply Getting Through the Day
Now, let’s talk about David. Earlier in the day, he had gone to Walmart, and when he came out, his truck wouldn’t start. We still don’t know what’s wrong with it. He called his brother, who followed him to AutoZone, and they checked things out and said there was nothing wrong so they said.
Well, something certainly wasn’t right because that truck wouldn’t start! But David managed to get to work this morning, and for that, I am thankful. When something like that happens, you start thinking about all the things that could go wrong. How are we going to get where we need to go? What is it going to cost to fix the truck? What if it happens again?
I don’t know about you but I can drive myself crazy worrying about things I don’t have answers to yet. Especially when I forget to hand the problems over to the LORD. So today, I’m choosing to be grateful that David made it to work. We’ll deal with the truck one step at a time.
And there’s another blessing I don’t want to overlook. David’s workdays have changed to Tuesday and Wednesday, which works better for us because I’ve been picking up events on Tuesdays instead of Thursdays. Isn’t it funny how one little change can make other things easier? Sometimes we don’t recognize the blessing until we look back and see how the pieces are beginning to fit together.
This is why I’m grateful to have a Husband Who Shows Up for His Family.When Charlie returned from DoorDash, he went to his room. Later, he came into my room and asked if Bradley could come over for a little while. I had some things I wanted to say but before I could David said shh. So, I said, “I guess so.”
I suspected Bradley wanted to find out what was happening with Six Flags, but I didn’t go into Charlie’s room to say hello or get involved in the conversation. I stayed in my room, and eventually, I fell asleep.
I don’t know exactly when Charlie took Bradley home. When I woke up around three o’clock in the morning, Charlie was still awake, but he’s sleeping now so he can be ready to go to Six Flags with his dad. And y’all, he picked out the most beautiful outfit to wear!
He might not want to admit it, but I think he’s starting to get excited about the day. And as his mom, that makes me smile. I’m glad Charlie and Joseph are getting this time with David. My husband works long hours. He comes home tired, and yesterday he was dealing with a truck that wouldn’t start, too.
Yet he’s willing to take the boys to Six Flags. Whose husband works all day and then volunteers to take the boys to Six Flags, even though he’s tired? Mine! That’s who! Buttercup. And that, my friends, is love. Not fancy flowers or diamond rings which is nice but so is the time David makes for his family.
When your thinking about love remember it isn’t always a bouquet of flowers, a fancy dinner, or some grand romantic gesture. Sometimes love is getting up, putting your tiredness aside, and making memories with your family. Sometimes love looks like a dad spending the day with his son and his son’s friend. And sometimes love looks like a husband making sure his wife gets to have a day of her own, too.
My Turn to Make Memories. While David, Charlie, and Joseph are off enjoying Six Flags, I’m getting to go out with my friend Debbie! We’re going to Hideaway Pizza, a place I’ve never visited before, and I’m excited to try something new with a friend. We’ll get to enjoy dinner together, spend some time catching up, and share another new experience with our Greatful Moments readers.
I love finding new places and experiences to share because I know there are other families out there looking for ideas, too. Sometimes you don’t need a big vacation or an expensive outing to make a memory. Sometimes you just need a friend, a good meal, and a willingness to try something different.
And who knows? Maybe this will turn into another fun post for Greatful Moments! That’s what I love about what we’re building here. We get to experience things, share what we discover, and hopefully help another family find something wonderful to do without breaking the budget..
And Greatful Moments Is Growing, Too! Yesterday brought another reason to smile. I met a new lady online, and we’ve been talking about doing a giveaway together. I’ve also talked with two more friends who may join us! Then I thought of 2 more friends to join us so I know this is the LORD guiding us.
I’m excited about these possibilities because I want Greatful Moments to continue growing into a place where families can discover new products, meet wonderful people, find experiences to enjoy, and learn about small businesses and the people behind them.
I don’t know exactly how everything will come together yet. And that’s okay. I’m learning that I don’t have to know every detail before I can be thankful for the opportunity. We take one step, then another. We meet somebody new. We have a conversation. An idea comes along. A door opens that we weren’t expecting. And before we know it, something that once seemed out of reach starts becoming possible.
That’s why I keep working on Greatful Moments. I want to share our lives, our family, our faith, and the things that bring us joy. I want our readers to feel like they’re sitting here with us, hearing about the good days, the hard days, the funny moments, and the blessings we might otherwise overlook.
Because life isn’t perfect, and neither are we. But there is still so much to be grateful for. Our Greatful, Thankful, and Blessed Moment As I look back on everything that happened yesterday, I keep coming back to one thought. Don’t give up just because things aren’t working out the way you expected.
Yesterday, we had changing plans, unexpected conversations, a truck that wouldn’t start, and questions we couldn’t answer. I didn’t know exactly how the Six Flags trip would come together, and I certainly didn’t know everything that would happen with Greatful Moments. But the LORD brought back a client I didn’t think was going to accept my offer and her post is running her a $150 and that is a Godsend for our familly.
I would like to ask you to look at the blessings that showed up along the way. Charlie earned his own money. Joseph was excited about going. David made it to work. His schedule changed in a way that helps our family. Charlie gets to spend time with his dad, and I get to spend time with Debbie.
New friendships are beginning, new giveaway possibilities are opening up, and Greatful Moments has more opportunities to share with our readers. None of us knows what tomorrow will bring. We can make plans, but sometimes those plans change. We can worry about what might happen, but worrying doesn’t give us the answers.
What we can do is keep going, keep praying, keep looking for the good, and trust the Lord to guide us through whatever comes our way. I’m not saying every situation will turn out exactly as we hope. I’m saying that even when things are uncertain, we can still recognize the blessings right in front of us.
Today, I’m grateful for my family, thankful for the opportunities we’re being given, and blessed to have a husband who shows his love by showing up. And I’m thankful for every one of you who joins us here at Greatful Moments. Thank you for letting us share our lives with you.
Today’s Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for another day and another opportunity to recognize the blessings You place in our lives. Lord, sometimes we get so caught up in our plans, our worries, and the things we don’t understand that we forget to stop and look at what is going right.
Help us remember that we don’t have to have every answer today. Help us be patient when plans change, kind when relationships become complicated, and grateful for the people who stand beside us when life gets difficult. Thank You for our families, for the little opportunities that help us grow, for the friends who make life sweeter, and for the moments when we can see love in action.
Please watch over our loved ones today. Give David, Charlie, and Joseph a safe and wonderful day together. Bless my time with Debbie, and continue guiding the work we’re doing at Greatful Moments. For anyone reading this who feels discouraged, overwhelmed, or ready to give up, please give them the strength to take one more step. Remind them that they are not alone and that they can bring their worries to You.
Help us see the little blessings we might otherwise miss and trust You even when we cannot see how everything will work out. We don’t know what tomorrow holds, Lord, but we can face today with faith, gratitude, and hope, which will keep us grateful, thankful and blessed.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A Little Reminder From Our Front Porch
If you’re going through a bumpy season right now, please don’t give up. Take a breath. Say a prayer. Look around and see if there’s a little blessing you might have overlooked. Maybe it’s a family member who shows up when you need them. Maybe it’s a friend who makes you laugh. Maybe it’s a small opportunity that puts a little money in your pocket. Or maybe it’s simply making it through another difficult day. Whatever it is, let yourself be thankful for it.
The Lord doesn’t always show us the whole picture at once. Sometimes we have to keep walking in faith, trusting that He will guide us one step at a time. From our family to yours, may your day be filled with reasons to be Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed always..
And remember, y’all: sometimes the ride is bumpy, the plans get changed, and the truck won’t start. But there’s still love to be found, blessings to count, and reasons to thank the Lord. We’ll see you from our front porch at Greatful Moments! ❤️🙏
Grateful. Thankful. Blessed.
GreatfulMoments.com
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
