I'm Just Sayin'

I wasn’t going to do it. The traditional “things I’m thankful for” Thanksgiving blog.

But this morning, as I lay in bed, the covers pulled up around my neck, my laptop sitting as it should, on my lap, I just felt so filled with gratitude. And I needed to remind myself of the things I’m grateful.

So this blog is really just a reminder to me. But you’re welcome to read it

I’m thankful for my family. I miss them terribly today, but I know I’ll see them in a few weeks. They’ve helped to make me who I am. And even though my thoughts of them are tinged with sadness this morning, I’m incredibly thankful that I miss them–because it reminds me how much I love them.

I’m thankful for my friends. I thought my idea of featuring a few of the people I’m thankful for on my blog was such a good idea. Now I realize I don’t have the time to do it justice. I’m thankful for the friends who invite me into their homes. Who show me the love of Christ. Who love me when I’m unlovable. Who won’t let me stay unlovable. Who hug me, encourage me, call me when I’m sick, and share their lives with me. They are my surrogate family, and I thank god for them daily.

I’m thankful for the times I’m happy. The times when things are going well, and the sun is shining and I can’t help but rejoice. For the good things that happen, for the joy that results.

I’m thankful for the times I’m sad. Because they are the times I learn to lean on others–and learn that they won’t let me down. They are a reminder that this is not my home–a reminder that I have a home and a Father and a life beyond all this. Times in the shadows remind me that God is there–because the shadows indicate the presence of someone bigger.

I’m thankful that in a few minutes I will get out of this warm bed, go help my friend finish cooking, and soon I will sit down at a meal with friends and strangers alike. I’m thankful that we won’t go around the table saying the things we’re thankful for (it makes me nervous!) but that my heart will be overfilling with gratitude.

Today, I will be thankful. But I am also thankful for the times I choose gratitude.

For in those hard times, joy will result.

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 26th, 2009 at 9:14 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.