Days of Thankfulness

Our first Thanksgiving with our tiny turkey.

At the very beginning of November Ryan began a teaching series on thankfulness. At youth he encouraged us to go beyond just saying "I'm thankful for my family" or home or whatever and be more specific. God has blessed us in very creative ways and we can be more specific when thinking about what we are thankful for. Thankfulness creates a heart of contentment and appreciation for all that we have. The morning after Ryan taught I read the following scripture during my quiet time:

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Colossians 4:4

I decided to be intentional about watching for the things in my life that I could thank God for every day. On the back of my paper from youth the night before I started a list. My goal was to right down one thing each morning for that I was thankful for from the day before. So for most of the list the number on the list lines up with the day I wrote it. I really love seeing how my list was filled with the things that I am most grateful for. I don't want to risk losing a random piece of paper so I decided to post it here. I'm not at all saying that my life is perfect or that my heart is always content. I do encourage everyone reading to find at least one specific thing that they could praise God for TODAY, for the Bible teaches us that the Lord is the GIVER of every good gift.

What I am thankful for:

1. A mother's love and that my mom would give up time to bring us Jensen's dresser. A husband's hard working hands digging up plants to make my backyard more peacful.

2. Time to spend outside under the pre-evening clouds. Conversations to speak truth and encouragement into other women's lives.

3. Moments to hold and rock Eva while she is still small and cuddly, and the honor of covering her in prayer.

4. Fall leaves changing colors and the significance of seasons in our lives.

5. The sound of Christmas music and how it brightens my heart.

6. Fellowship and laughter through MomsConnect.

7. Highschool girls who enjoy playing with Eva and letting her be a cheerleader with them.

8. In-laws who truly love my family, especially Eva and who are always encouraging and never critical.

9. The taste of chocolate chip cookie dough.

10. Feeling Jensen wiggle while I'm praying for him.

11. Ryan chasing Eva outside, hearing her abundant giggling, listening to Enya music in the background and the sun setting behind the fence.

12. Eva's face lighting up when she saw the snow at night.

13. The smiles on Eva's face singing and leading "If You're Happy and You Know It" at the library.

14. Soft pajamas.

15. Time with my forever friends fo rmy birthday.

16. A God that is okay with me crying out to him on hard days.

17. People that put up early Christmas lights.

18. Still, quiet moments.

19. Surprise birthday presents.

20. Early morning snuggles with Eva.

21. Time to talk and communicate with Ryan.

22. Starbucks dates.

23. Movie nights with my family.

24. The truth that each day starts fresh.

25. A home big enough for everyone to gather in - this was a prayer for our home that God answered so specifically. 

Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy the family and food that God has provided you this week.