She is left speechless. Perched on a blue plastic chair, she opens a 25-cent pencil case wrapped in colored paper.  Her eyes light up at the eight markers within, all with tight lids and strong ink, and she gingerly unfolds the hidden treasure inside–three whole dollars.  She clutches handmade cards in small brown fingers and reads her name written on each one. She giggles at the pink icecream cone that drips from the tropical heat quicker than we can light the candles, and she revels in the attention of a crowd singing to celebrate her six years.  And a little girl in Thailand can't speak for the joy, the gratitude, of such an occasion.

Her name is Lilly*, and she is one of the 44 girls living at the Christian Orphanage in Chiang Mai, Thailand, which my husband currently directs.  Lilly was born into the world, defeated.  Were it not for her opportunity at the orphanage, her road would have led to little education, daily hunger, and perhaps a life of prostitution or abuse. But, thankfully, that is not Lilly's story today.  This precious soul knows Rescue, tastes hope, and even enjoys icecream once in a while.

In the past, birthday parties for my own three children have been lavish affairs.  We've brought pancakes on fancy trays to beds, and we've planned elaborate scavenger hunts for party games. We've dressed up as pirates and jedi knights and princesses, and we've made crafts and baked chocolate cakes. And there have always been presents.  Lots of them.  Mostly from generous grandparents, but also from friends, and of course, a few from us.  And my children are grateful, generally. They play with their toys and thank their friends who spent the morning at our house.  They blow out candles and enjoy the attention, as well they should.

But, inevitably, tomorrow comes.  And the shiny car runs out of batteries or the doll loses a shoe. Newer toys are desired, the memory of the party fades, and suddenly the writing of thank-you notes seems an insurmountable task {for all of us}.  Eventually, the gratitude lessons, and discontentment begins to creep back into little hearts.

But Lilly is different.  She stays grateful, longer.  This is human nature, after all-having less, we tend to appreciate more. But the opposite is true, as well–having more, we naturally appreciate less.

And while my time spent outside of the United States continues to remind me of all that my hands hold, I am finding that I often act just like my children two days after the party.  I forget the Redemption and complain about the comfort.  I neglect the bigger picture and whine about the pixel.  I close my eyes to all I've been given, and

I lust for more, for new, for easy.  

And before the icecream even has a chance to melt, the joy of the celebration gets snuffed out by this all-encompassing me. 

So, if you find yourself in a place of need today, be thankful for the gift of greater gratitude.

And if you find yourself in a place of abundance, get close to those in need so that you'll remember how much your cup overflows.

And regardless of the more or the less, choose to celebrate those around you. With parties or words or gifts or time.  Maybe even with a little dripping icecream. 

You can click HERE to watch a 45-sec video of this particular birthday celebration for Lilly and another girl at our orphanage in June.

Are you in a place of abundance or need today? How does that affect your ability to be grateful?

*Lilly's name has been changed.  

  By Laura Parker, Life Overseas

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