Giving Thanks

As Thanksgiving rapidly approaches I feel the need to refocus on the reasons for the upcoming seasons. Too often the hustle and bustle of this time of year can blur the real purpose for the holidays. So I am going to focus as much as I can these next few weeks on being thankful, noticing the blessings and miracles around me, and praising our awesome God for all He does.

Today I am thankful that I have a job. A job that allows us to maintain our lifestyle- living where we do and with comfortable means while at the same time keeping me home with the kids 5 days out of each week. A job that recognizes initiative and accomplishments and allows me to feel like I can maintain a level of professional acheivement. A job where I can make a difference in people's lives, no matter how small.

I am thankful for a beautiful home, fabulous neighbors, the food to eat every day, the furniture to hold my tired bones when I need to cuddle up and read, or when I need to crash and sleep. I am thankful for two cars that are reliable, clothes that keep us covered and warm, a dog and a cat and five fish to make us smile, and lots of toys for the kids, books for Mom, and movies for Dad.

I am thankful for friends, near and far, who care enough to reach out. Friends who offer words of comfort when I'm hurting most, who extend invitations when I'm at my least sociable, and care about my struggles. I'm thankful for family who love me no matter what, for the way they forgive my imperfections as if they don't even exist. For the people who surround me every day and make life less lonely.

There are so many things I am thankful for. Yet somehow my selfish, earthly heart tends to forget or overlook these bountiful blessings until I intentionally start to list them. Once I start looking for things worthy of gratitude and praise, my heart overflows with the abundance of blessings my God has showered me with. So I will continue to be looking, noticing, appreciating the things in life that I have, not because of what I've done to deserve them, but through the grace of my Father, from whom all things come. Feel free to join me, and see how it lifts your mood!