Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Too many to count

I know it might be the "thing" to do this week, but I'm feeling thankful. For the last while I've been thinking about it a lot. I'm sure that the upcoming holiday season has a lot to do with the course my thoughts have followed. We all know that we should be thankful all year long. That's so very true. At the same time, it's been on my mind a lot lately, so I'm going to spend at least one post, maybe the whole week listing things. It's going to be big things, little things and things in between. Then...when there are days that don't seem like so much fun or tempt the ungrateful thoughts to prevail, there's a list here ready to be referenced.

Here are just a few of the things I'm grateful for-(in no particular order, other than the very first)
~salvation.
~family. I'm grateful for all of them. Parents, siblings, siblings-in-law, great grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins. I have a lot of family and wouldn't choose to have it any other way. They are a blessing, each and every one of them.
~my bed.
~humor.
~water-for drinking, cooking, cleaning, watering plants, bathing, swimming, running through when it comes out of a sprinkler, playing in when it drips out the clouds (boy do I miss the warm rain in Liberia right about now), listening to as it flows and falls over whatever course it may.
~air.
~the ability to be in touch with/reconnect with people online.
~my job.
~a raise at a time when many get none, take a cut, or are losing their job.
~God's Word.
~the opportunity to eat every day, not to mention the luxury of more than one meal a day!
~Perrin Lake.
~books.
~carpet.
~a home.
~weather in all it's beauty.
~the ocean.
~friends-new friends, old friends, friends all over the world, friends right down the street, friends that love you even when you show your bad side, friends that know just how to make you laugh when you need to and are happy to hold the Kleenexes while you cry.
~differences of opinion.

Well, I can see I'm just getting started. I have to pack so I can leave for Michigan for the holiday weekend right after work tomorrow. That means I need to take a break from the attitude of gratitude and pack.

4 comments:

Mary said...

Them are some good ones Cheryl. Take all that gratitude to Michigan with you. I think some people are needing some up that way. Maybe it will spread.

sherri said...

Wow, what a list! I loved reading yours and was reminded of so many things I take for granted every day.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving and a refreshing break!

Unknown said...

Great reminders Cheryl. Things I hadn't even thought to be thankful for. We are so blessed.

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving.

Love you.

P.S. Congrats on the raise!!! I'm proud of you.

Anonymous said...

Cheryl,
I enjoyed your list of gratitude. One reminded me of my Dad's prayers. For as long as I can remember he ALWAYS includes in his prayers a thank you for the fresh air. When I was younger, I used to wonder why...then one day we talked about it. He asked me where the fresh air comes from, to think about what it would be like without it-the smells and other problems that we'd have without it. Then, I too, started thanking the Lord for fresh air to breathe. Now that he has COPD, I'm even more thankful we have fresh air.
What was the tape you got? I've been wanting a certain one, too and wonder if it's the same one?