Maybe it’s the unseasonably warm late winter/early spring we’re having here in the Midwest, maybe it’s something else. Whatever it is, I’ve been feeling pretty thankful for a lot of things lately.
Thankful for parents who have spent their lives trying to (I am sure it was…and still is…hard) raise me the right way and who have always been there for me. Thankful for a sister who is a true ray of sunshine in this world and who always lifts me up whenever I’m down and shows me what it’s like to have pure joy in your heart as a human being. Thankful for two little boys who make me proud in ways I cannot describe and who bring me so much happiness. Thankful for a girlfriend who makes me smile and who has been willing to see things through with me and still loves me with all she has, despite some difficult circumstances. Thankful for friends who have seen me at my worst and at my best, and who are still my friends regardless of where I’ve fallen on the meter of doing right or wrong in my life. Thankful for loved ones near and far who consider me family and who support me with love and encouragement. Thankful for the people I get to meet in my travels and here in my town and the unique story each one of them has to tell. Thankful for a great church and the freedom to be able to go there. Thankful for a job that not only helps keep a roof over my head, but also lets me be creative. Thankful for my health. Thankful for the aforementioned unbelievably nice weather we’ve experienced lately and simple things like a breeze blowing through the windows or a night spent on the patio. Thankful for the outdoors and nature – there’s a free show waiting outside every day. Thankful for music and being able to hear it…I can barely go an hour without it. Thankful for every down that leads to an up and the strength that is gained in the process. Thankful for life’s lessons, as tough as they are to swallow at times, because they really do help put things in perspective when the dust settles.
More than anything, I’m thankful for the love and mercy of Jesus Christ and for having a chance to live this life. I’ve done my best to mess it up over the years but He never let go of me and I will always be thankful for that. My life has been far from “perfect” but I wouldn’t trade it for anything 🙂
Psalm 106:1
We will celebrate and praise you, LORD! You are good to us, and your love never fails.
positively second 
Even though I’m feeling challenged lately I know I need to give thanks and then give more thanks.
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I appreciate your comment, Vince. Hang in there and have a good day!
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Great post! Makes you wonder why we can fixate on what is wrong in life sometimes when there is so much to be thankful for!
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Thanks for the reply and yeah, it’s easy to let the blah stuff get in the way of the blessings, isn’t it? Glad you enjoyed the post!
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And this is RIGHT where God also has me lately. Finding the thankful in everything. Will I whine about my cirumstances or will I sing praises (like new *wine*)? I’m pretty sure God was serious about the whole “give thanks” in all things stuff. 😉
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Thanks for the reply, Cristal…I agree!
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Great post. It lifted me more and more as I read to the end..My favorite part besides the last paragraph was,
“Thankful for every down that leads to an up and the strength that is gained in the process. Thankful for life’s lessons, as tough as they are to swallow at times, because they really do help put things in perspective when the dust settles.”
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🙂 So glad this could be uplifting to you. Thanks so much for writing here…have a great day!
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