Giving Thanks

It's so cool to be thankful this time of year. 
I think it's even trending... 

hashtag whatimthankfulfor

or something like that. 

I want to say I truly am thankful... but sometimes I look at my attitude, my words, my reactions to things and my outlook and realize...

I'm not as thankful as I should be... or even as I think that I am! 

Truth be told... I complain way more than I should... like way more. I complain that we aren't in our house yet, that I have so much laundry to do, that I have a headache, that I didn't sleep well, that I have no idea what to make for dinner and on and on and on...

I am a prime example of why being Thankful really is an ACTION. A CHOICE. Living a life of thankfulness and gracious thanks-giving really doesn't come naturally... not to me anyway! 

That sinful nature of mine gets the best of me and my complaining spirit comes out full force in all it's selfish, want-what-I-want-now kinda way! 

yuck. 

I learn daily that if I do not CHOOSE to say THANK YOU and CHOOSE joy in trying circumstances and CHOOSE to find blessing in trial then I will always give in to an attitude of discontentedness. And that does not suit me well nor does it bring honor to my God who commands me to be joyful in all circumstances, to enter his gates with THANKSGIVING, and to be thankful. period.

Truthfully... if I had nothing left on this earth but the saving grace through the shed blood of Jesus Christ then the only right response would be JOY and THANKSGIVING. 

Because nothing else matters. 

I am thankful. I am joyful. 
Because I am sinner who God saw fit to save and redeem and call His own. 

That is the reason for Thanks-giving. 

Beyond that he has seen fit to bless me in ways that I too often ignore. 

A good family. 
A sweet little girl. 
A loving husband. 
A warm home. 
A steady income. 
Health. 
Love. 
and  on and on. 

Shame on me for ever, ever, ever taking any one of those things for granted. 

Today is Thanksgiving. 
Today I will choose joy. 
I will choose to be thankful. 

How have I spent this Thanksgiving week? 

First, Lucy and I spent a lovely couple days with my siblings, parents and nieces and nephews - for whom I am so very thankful. My cup runneth over.
 Family is important. Family should never be taken for granted! 

We enjoyed visiting Kaleb and Emma at my elementary school: Plumstead Christian School for their Thanksgiving parties. 

 Lucy got to run the hallways that my own little feet once ran through as a little elementary student. 

 And we enjoyed sitting, talking and eating snacks with Kaleb in his 1st grade room... which a million years ago was my 1st grade room. 

 A mini-thanksgiving with the Manz Crew finished off a great few days home!

Today, on the official Thanksgiving we are spending this beautiful November day with Greg's family. 
Turkey, Cranberry, stuffing, games and lots of laughs! 
More wonderful moments. More precious people. 

hashtag thankfulevenwhenitsnottrending

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. and BE THANKFUL. Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with GRATITUDE in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, GIVING THANKS to God the Father through him. 

Colossians 3:15-17

All.Year.Long