It is that time of year again. Time for turkey and dressing, ham and potatoes, pies and cakes - a time to gorge ourselves and sit around in a euphoric state of food unconsciousness. Yes, it's Thanksgiving.
Putting aside the historic reasons why we celebrate this holiday, today is a day of togetherness and food. It is a time where counting our blessings are heightened and we reminisce on the past year and are hopeful for the year to come,
So, as the day has just started for me, I sit here with the Macy's parade on the television and think of how blessed I truly am. Now, I do not just wait for this day to sit and count on my hands what good things I am thankful for. I thank God daily for the good things he has bestowed on me. However, in light of the holiday, I wanted to blog on how good my Heavenly Daddy truly is.
First, I am thankful for God, for real. Without Him, nothing else matters. My life before I discovered Christ was empty, void, hurtful and full of torment. Now it is full of unspeakable happiness. Not saying it is all puppies and rainbows, but when it gets rough I can lean on Him instead of trying to lean on my own. Pretty amazing, right? So yes, God is first and foremost.
Next, my husband, Matt. We had such a rough start when we first got together. Each using one another and not thinking it would last past the first year. Now, 15 years later - we will be celebrating our 14th wedding anniversary next month. There are days I look at him and love everything about it. My heart swells with affection. Then there are days I wish he would just fall in a hole for a few hours - haha. But I am thankful for his quirks that annoy me, I am thankful he loves me more than I deserve. I am thankful he works hard hours (7 days a week/365) for us. I am thankful he loves God more than he loves me. I am thankful he is a good dad to not only our daughter but to my son. I am thankful he still holds true to the values of a gentleman. I am thankful he is my husband. I am truly blessed.
Next, I am thankful for my kids. They are pretty amazing. My son, being the first born, is a pretty cool teenager. I am thankful he is such a sweet spirit. I am thankful he has a big heart. I am thankful he is a good looking kid and smart and funny. I am thankful he still loves and respects me and Matt. I am thankful he loves God. I am thankful that despite the hardships he had to endure at a young age, he is a good kid and is going to be a great man in a few years. I am thankful God has trusted me with such an amazing young man. My daughter, I am thankful she is her own person. I am thankful she is adorable and smart. I am thankful she is quirky and funny. I am thankful that she doesn't care what others think, she is her own person not wanting to fit the mold of society. I am thankful she loves God and isn't afraid to share her faith. I am thankful that God has given her me.
I am thankful for my biological family. We have been through some unreal moments but through it all we have persevered. While we don't see each other as much as most families do, it is comforting to know that if I ever need to call on them, they would be there - no questions asked. I am thankful that I have a strong mom that taught me to stand my ground and not take crap from anyone. She taught me to stand by my convictions and hold fast to my values. She is the strongest mom I know. I am thankful to God for the knowledge that my dad is in heaven and I will see him again. My dad loved Thanksgiving - so he is on my mind today more than other days. It isn't a saddened thought (though those creep in here and there) but it is memories of adoration. He was a great guy and I am thankful that I was allowed to have him for 17 years of my life.
I am thankful for my church family. I love those people as if I were born into them. They love me and my family immensely. I never knew I could love others unconditionally These people have been there through the highs and lows of the past few years of my life. They have helped when they saw the need and they have been there when I needed to just vent. They are special people and they hold a large part of my heart. I am so thankful God drew me to them.
I am thankful for my youth group. I am humble that God would allow me and Matt to be in these kids' lives at a time when they are the most impressionable. I am humble that God entrusts me with such a big responsibility. I never knew I could love other people's kids like I do them. I share in their joys and their failures. I laugh when them, have cried with them and have gotten frustrated with them. I have poured out and exhausted myself to mentor them. I take my position seriously and pray daily that I do it in a way that is pleasing to God.
So love your family today. Put aside differences. Laugh much. Eat a lot. Soak in the holiday love....and don't get killed if you go out tomorrow for Black Friday (you are all crazy!).
What if you had awakened this morning with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?
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