There are many points in the Old Testament where the Hebrew people are referred to as “stubborn and stiff-necked.” The context is such that this is clearly meant to be a negative description of their character. When I was much younger I found this somewhat confusing. Being raised in New England, I was taught from the cradle that character traits such as stubborn and stiff-necked were something to be sought after. They meant that one would be able to withstand the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune with little assistance from others. So it made the text of those passages rather dim for me.
Then I discovered that the reference to stiff-necked was to oxen. It meant something to an agricultural people who used oxen to plow their fields and pull their carts. An ox who is stiff-necked does not respond to his master. He does not take direction from the dude in charge. He requires a much harsher prod and harder discipline in order to provoke the desired response. This gave me new perspective on the Old Testament description. I also suddenly realized that I did indeed have much in common with those heros of old … but it was not to be desired.
All of which is to say I learn hard. Academics come easy to me. Life comes hard. Learning the lessons and turning my life around … listening the voice of my Driver … well … I am stubborn and stiff-necked.
One thing I am slowly and o so painfully learning is how to be thankful for what I have. How to see my life for the things I have and not for the grass on the other side of the fence. I have learned a great deal in this regard from a wonderful woman in Texas who (tongue in cheek) refers to herself as “The Princess of Quite A Lot.” She has a thankfulness list every Thursday and invites her readers to share in that. So, in a small attempt to begin to bend my stiff neck, I’m going to follow her lead. This first list is late … 2 days late. But I am nonetheless thankful for these things:
1.   Clutter … protects the carpet when you inadvertently dribble your coffee. 😉
2.   Coffee. I love coffee.
3.   Clean water … right from my tap. It’s amazing.
4.   Hockey and how happy it makes LightGirl.
5.   Blue fabric … I love blue fabric … rich deep blues
6.   Putting Christmas away for the year.
7.   Design Team … I love these people
8.   Quilts to sleep under
9.   Snow
10.   Cheese
