Forgive me if I write this slightly frustrated today, as this is the second time I've written this post (thanks autosave for NOT saving the previous copy).
In the midst of my crazy life recently, I have found that I don't often times take a moment to be thankful for what I do have, but instead focus on the things I don't have but want, the people who aren't supportive while forgetting the ones who are, and wishing things about my life were different. There's no sense in that! In middle school I would wish and wish that my shape would fill in so that I could look like the models in the magazines. There's no sense in that! There is no way by wishing that my body was going to change to be the way I wanted it. The best thing to do was for me to cope with, and appreciate, the body God chose specifically for me. Along that same vein, this is the life God has blessed me with. So
I should be thankful for the things I have.
1. I'm thankful for a home to live in, for the roof over my head that is warm and that is the safehaven for my family.
2. I'm thankful for a full (but messy) pantry of food. There are people around the world that can only dream of such luxury.
3. I'm thankful for a car that gets me comfortably to work. I don't complain that I have no idea how the bus system actually works, because I've never had to take the bus. I'm fortunate.
4. I'm thankful for the family that does choose to stay in touch, and who loves us. Without my parents, I probably would have already gone insane. I'm thankful for all the help and encouragement they provide, for the times they volunteer to watch A so that we can sleep or get things done around the house. I'm thankful for my brother and his fiance who love our daughter and make efforts to be in her life. I'm thankful for extended family in Tennessee and Germany who have gone out of their way to visit us several times since A was born. Lastly, I'm thankful for all the friends we can call family; for friends who have stepped up and called themselves aunts and grandparents. For all of you, I am so thankful.
5. I'm thankful for friends who encourage me and love me despite life taking us in different directions. Growing up makes it hard to keep friends close. To the few of you who have been intentional about keeping our friendship alive, for you I am thankful!
6. I'm thankful for the luxuries I often take for granted. For the freedom to write and speak as I please. For a job that I enjoy and who acknowledges my strengths and tries to utilize them.
Writing a list of things you are thankful for is sometimes awkward. It might have taken me longer than I'd like to admit to come up with a list of things I am truly thankful for. But, to learn to focus on these things is extremely valuable. I already feel better than I did before writing this list! I encourage you to do the same!
In the midst of my crazy life recently, I have found that I don't often times take a moment to be thankful for what I do have, but instead focus on the things I don't have but want, the people who aren't supportive while forgetting the ones who are, and wishing things about my life were different. There's no sense in that! In middle school I would wish and wish that my shape would fill in so that I could look like the models in the magazines. There's no sense in that! There is no way by wishing that my body was going to change to be the way I wanted it. The best thing to do was for me to cope with, and appreciate, the body God chose specifically for me. Along that same vein, this is the life God has blessed me with. So
I should be thankful for the things I have.
1. I'm thankful for a home to live in, for the roof over my head that is warm and that is the safehaven for my family.
2. I'm thankful for a full (but messy) pantry of food. There are people around the world that can only dream of such luxury.
3. I'm thankful for a car that gets me comfortably to work. I don't complain that I have no idea how the bus system actually works, because I've never had to take the bus. I'm fortunate.
4. I'm thankful for the family that does choose to stay in touch, and who loves us. Without my parents, I probably would have already gone insane. I'm thankful for all the help and encouragement they provide, for the times they volunteer to watch A so that we can sleep or get things done around the house. I'm thankful for my brother and his fiance who love our daughter and make efforts to be in her life. I'm thankful for extended family in Tennessee and Germany who have gone out of their way to visit us several times since A was born. Lastly, I'm thankful for all the friends we can call family; for friends who have stepped up and called themselves aunts and grandparents. For all of you, I am so thankful.
5. I'm thankful for friends who encourage me and love me despite life taking us in different directions. Growing up makes it hard to keep friends close. To the few of you who have been intentional about keeping our friendship alive, for you I am thankful!
6. I'm thankful for the luxuries I often take for granted. For the freedom to write and speak as I please. For a job that I enjoy and who acknowledges my strengths and tries to utilize them.
Writing a list of things you are thankful for is sometimes awkward. It might have taken me longer than I'd like to admit to come up with a list of things I am truly thankful for. But, to learn to focus on these things is extremely valuable. I already feel better than I did before writing this list! I encourage you to do the same!
I will give thanks to You,
O Lord my God,
with all my heart,
And will glorify Your name forever.
Psalm 86:12
O Lord my God,
with all my heart,
And will glorify Your name forever.
Psalm 86:12