Giving Thanks

It’s easy for me to list things that I’m thankful for.  The list is HUGE.  And quite likely, it would look very similar to most people’s lists…so, in honor of Thanksgiving, I thought that instead of doing the obvious, I would challenge myself to an exercise of Thanksgiving that includes things I never feel very thankful for.

Here goes.

I’m thankful for the never-ending laundry at our house…because it reminds me that I have fun, busy, creative little children who one day I will miss terribly, dirty clothes and all!

I’m thankful for dirty dishes…because on them we have enjoyed three or more delicious meals a day.  That is certainly worth a little dirty work.

I’m thankful for the pile of clothes by my husband’s side of the bed…because he’s here.

I’m thankful for vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping…because we have nice flooring to keep clean and not bare cement or hard-packed earth.

I’m thankful for toilet cleaning…because I really wouldn’t enjoy walking to an outhouse in the middle of winter.    : |  

I’m thankful for the noise in my house that so often gives me headaches…because some day those voices won’t be heard every day.

I’m thankful that our house is quickly becoming too small for us…because it means we’re being blessed and rewarded (Psalm 127:3).

I’m thankful for the times I’ve failed miserably…because of them I’ve experienced God’s love and forgiveness and the love and forgiveness of my family and friends.  

I’m thankful for the mistakes I’ve made…because I’ve learned from them and have been given opportunities to teach others to avoid them. And I’m thankful for the grace that I’ve been given to give to others through them.

I’m thankful for the fact that moments of fear are recurring…because they keep me turning to Him.

I'm thankful for sickness...because it's when I'm sick that I remember: God is my healer.

I’m thankful that I don’t have it all figured out…because learning is an adventure.

I’m thankful for hard work…because it makes me really appreciate rest.  (I really do mean this, especially after being so lazy and unproductive the last few months!  I’m pretty sure that too much rest is worse than hard work.)

I’m thankful that I’m short…because…ummm…hmmm

                   Maybe I’ll come back to that one later.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

1 Thessalonians 5:18

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.