You BEST be thankful!

Today, I am thankful.

I am thankful for another day to breathe in the spring air and take a walk.

I am thankful for the fact that it is Saturday, which means I had the opportunity to sleep in AND have no where specific to be at the moment.

I am thankful for popsicles. They are so, SO good this time of year.

I am thankful that in just a few short days, my feet will be standing on the shores of a Carolina beach.

I am thankful that in just a few short days, my sister will also be getting MARRIED. (Also, incredibly strange that we are so old).

I am thankful that I have been given the privilege of getting older. And eventually I will be thankful for anti-aging products (HAHA, joking. Kinda).

I am thankful for friends. Good ones.

Also, I am thankful for the difficult friendships. They have made me stronger.

I am thankful for the news, as people often bash it for being filled with pain and bad stories, it was full of grateful celebration as Boston slept peacefully last night.

I am thankful for people who are wiling to sacrifice their lives daily so that others may live freely.

I am thankful that the seasons have changed and continue to do so, as it reminds us all that change is a natural part of life.

I am thankful for the recent changes in my own life, as they have forced me to surrender my own direction and realize my Father’s direction is much greater.

I am thankful for the JOY that can be found in all circumstances because it has absolutely nothing to do with circumstances and everything to do with Jesus.

I am thankful for mail. Snail mail. It makes my day, without fail, every single time.

I am thankful for my neighbor’s good taste in music, as it has made our thin walls not such a bad feature after all.

I am thankful for my body and all that it allows me to do.

I am thankful that at some point, my body hits the “reset” button” and I am forced to slow down and rejuvenate myself in the Word.

I am thankful for food, in particular strawberries.  I believe they will be everywhere in Heaven.

I am thankful that because I have the money to feed myself, I can help provide that same nourishment to others who need a little help.

I am thankful for organizations that exist solely to help make other people’s lives a little better, a little easier and a little more comfortable. They will be rewarded.

I am thankful to live in America, where I am able to talk freely, worship joyfully and pray unceasingly. That is not normal compared to the rest of the world.

I am thankful for good friends who believe in me, listen to my struggles and invest in the development of my heart. You are precious to me!

I am thankful for planners. Seriously, I might forget my head in the mornings if I didn’t check that off my daily list of things to do/bring.

I am thankful for dry erase markers. Because with these, I often add things that I have completed to my to-do-list in the mornings, just so I can cross them off. (You do that too, don’t lie).

I am thankful for yoga pants. I believe they are the common ingredient to all happiness (if you’re a female… or not? Won’t go there).

I am thankful for SO many things.

But mostly, I am thankful for Jesus.

I have often heard that if you remain grateful, you will not find the time to complain.

While I think because we are PROFESSIONAL complainers , finding that time to yap our mouths is far too easy for us, I also believe that constantly thanking Him for our blessings is one of the greatest things we can do.

When my mind is focused on what I do have, I am more resourceful. I am more useful. I am more aware.

I SEE what I can do with what I have rather than what I wish I could do with what I don’t have.

I encourage you to find some time in your day where you either keep a verbal log of what you are thankful for or you start a gratitude journal.

Take TEN minutes (that’s nothing so shut it- you can find that time) and thank the good Lord above for all the people, relationships, situations, blessings and undeserved GRACE in your life.

What are you thankful for?

Who are you thankful for?

What situations in your life have helped you, strengthened you, challenged you, encouraged you, witnessed to you, reassured you or influenced you?

THANK HIM for those!

In light of everything that has happened recently, I believe we can all agree that we have a lot to be thankful for. 

You best give thanks! FOR REAL.

I’ll help you start…

Hey Jesus! Lord above! Lort almighty! (however you say it)

THANK YOU so much for…   

Now your turn.

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” -1 Thessalonians 5:18