Today I’m taking a little break from the Christmas prep and usual posts to share an email from my personal inbox. A couple of years ago I met Elece at a Writers’ Conference in Chicago. A seasoned writer and experienced conferee, she took me “under her wing” and I discovered a true kindred spirit! Elece sends out occasional “What’s Good About Home” posts to her mailing list, designed to encourage women at home. I hadn’t received one for several months, until the following email arrived this week. It’s a long-ish read, but worth it! You’ll be blessed, as I was.

 My friend Penny nudged me. She said,

” You know, there are many good things about home.

There are still lots of good things.”

“Yes, lots of good things,”

 I agree.

 There is a crackling fire in the woodstove this morning and I have on my favorite red sweater.

There are walls that keep out summer’s heat and winter’s cold wind. I listen to rain on a good roof.

There are warm blankets on all the beds. We are not cold.

 There is comfort.

There is food in the pantry and I am not hungry. My children do not cry of hunger in the night.

There is bread in my kitchen and butter and jam to spread on it. There is clean water to drink.

There is a bowl filled with fresh fruit on the table.

 There is plenty.

There are trees outside my windows  I can trust for shade in the heat of summer.

 There is sunshine streaming in to light the rooms and sky I can see from every window.

There are windows to open to let in the fresh air.

 There is goodness.

There is quiet here in the country. I can hear birds chattering. I sing while I work.

There is a son at the piano plinking out a tune and singing and another son whistling in the hall.

There is happiness and security in this family.

 There is joy.

There is my good husband here who brings me steaming coffee every morning.

There is the good man who loves us and shows us by praying and sitting down to supper with us.

There is Daddy who is happy to come home every night after work.

There is work.

 There are books of all sorts here—books of stories, of poetry, of pictures.

There are Bibles that we can read freely. There are newspapers, magazines, internet.

There are desks for the children with textbooks full of information.

There is light.

 There is a cellar to shelter us from storms, a garage to protect our car. There is safety.

There is a lock on the front door that we don’t need. There is law. There is security.

There are no threats—no soldiers with guns in our street. There is peace.

There is freedom.

There are things for the grandchildren to play with when they visit—dolls and tea dishes.

There are happy shouts when they race in through the back door and open a drawer full of toy cars.

There is commotion. There is laughter. There is love.

 There is family.

There are uncommon treasures—every day. There are riches.

There are voices we love. There are prayers. There is hope. There is beauty.

There is rest and strength. There is home.

 There are blessings because—

There is God.

What’s Good About Home! Copyright Elece Hollis 2009 

You can sign up to receive What’s Good About Home posts by emailing Elece at cehollis at familynet dot net (replace at with @ and dot with .) Include your full name, and put Subscribe to Moms Column in the subject line.

I also enjoy The Inspired Nutmeg, a frugal healthy family blog by Elece’s daughter, Audra–lots of good recipes, (mmm, gingerbread anyone?) happy photos and friendly posts here!