Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is only a few days away. Many times people, myself included, do not take the time to stop and think of the things they are thankful for. I read a devotion the other day (here) that challenged it's readers to make a list of the things they are thankful for because we can get caught up in the daily "grind" and not realize how blessed we really are. So here you go (they are not in any particular order):

I'm thankful for my daughter sitting beside me. She is healthy, happy, and growing and for that I am extremely thankful. I'm thankful for every laugh and even the times she cries. I'm thankful that she made me and David parents. Being a mom is 10 times more difficult than I ever thought it would be, but I also never knew the joy or love I would feel as a parent.

I'm thankful for the dirty dishes downstairs in the sink and for the meal that was on them.

I'm thankful for my husband, who has seen me at my best and my worst, and still loves me. I'm thankful he is such a wonderful provider for our family and that he loves to help take care of our daughter. I'm thankful that he knows that being a mom is hard work and stressful and worrisome. I'm thankful he is there to help me, tell me to relax and have more faith that God will take care of it all.

I'm thankful for friends who understand that I will have my baby with me and still invite me out to lunch or offer to come over to my house just to spend time with me. I'm also thankful for friends who understand I might need a night out and invite me to go out with the girls or go to the movies.

I'm thankful for the wonderful family that I have. They are always willing to help and I have loved seeing them become grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. I'm thankful for them supporting me as a parent even when my choices are not the ones they would have made.

I'm thankful for the dog hair and slobber on my couch (even though some days it makes me mad) and for the dog who causes that hair and slobber. She is such a good dog (most of the time at least) and has adjusted so well to having a new little person in the house

I'm thankful for the pile of laundry that is awaiting me because I have clothes to wear and a washing machine to wash them in. I'm also thankful for the dryer.

I'm thankful for a roof over my head and a bed to lay down in.

I'm thankful that my parents raised me to love God. I'm thankful for all of the memories I have with my parents and my sister and brother.

I'm thankful for my small group and the years we have been together. I'm thankful for their listening ears and for challenging me to be a better person and to dig deeper into God's Word.

I'm thankful for family who aren't really family, but people who I consider family. The ones who you forget that you are not blood related to because they have become such an important part of your life.

I'm thankful for the hard moments I have experienced. The ones that I never thought I would get over or through but that with God's help I did overcome and have grown so much in the process.

I'm thankful for those moments that I did not follow my mommy instinct and then hated myself after. I'm thankful that it has taught me that God really has given me everything I need to be the parent Emery needs even when I feel like I'm not enough.

I'm thankful for chocolate and sweet tea.

I'm thankful for a husband who lets me sleep the extra half hour and gets up early with the baby.

Most of all, I'm thankful for my salvation. I'm thankful that God would take His precious child and sacrifice Him for me so that I can spend eternity with Him. I'm thankful He is my Savior, my Comforter, my Father, and my God.


So there is my list. I'm sure there are MANY more things that I am forgetting, but those are the ones I have thought of today. If anyone is reading this, I hope that you take time at some point in this week to think of the things you are thankful for as well. Happy Thanksgiving!

*photo credit goes to Jennifer Wood (thank you for the wonderful pictures!)