I Know It’s Christmas, But I’m Over Here Feeling Thanksgiving

Circumstances in my life recently have kinda forced me to take a good look at my life and choose whether I’m going to be grateful and see the positive parts of life or whine and be negative.

I’ll be honest-there’s been a few times that I could hardly lift my chin, smile, and work up the desire to be grateful.

But over the course of several weeks or a month, I’ve discovered that it’s easier to see all my blessings when I’ve deliberately chosen that I WILL see them. 

Here is a list of things that I’m absolutely, completely, and utterly grateful for!

**Last week one morning, I got to go out for coffee with a fabulous girlfriend!  She speaks life and encouragement to me every time I get to spend time with her.  And as I was sitting there loving our time together, it hit me that THIS is what Christmas is about-relationship!  Jesus came so we could have relationship with Him again!  In freeing up our relationship with Him, all other relationships can go deeper and be more energizing.

**On Sunday I got to go to Worship Celebration at Agape and hear in greater detail how radically Jesus’ coming changed the way that we do relationship with Him. 

**Yesterday I laughed a lot watching my hubby and daughter.  She wanted to do number flash cards with him, and trust me.  Hubby does nothing like that the normal, boring way.  Oh, no! J  They turned it into a game of ‘can you keep up with me if I flash the cards as fast as I can?’ game.  She was laughing hysterically and landed a big dose of hiccups, but she felt loved.  Yes, she did.  

**I heard the same girlie telling her daddy after eating her breakfast that she was going to wash up then come and give him a big, cozy squeeze.

**I had a discussion with my oldest son about discerning between what is a distraction during prayer and worship and what is God trying to get our attention.  (When did he grow up anyway???)

**My oldest daughter came up to me and told me that she felt like Jesus was asking her to pray for a certain person.  She proceeded to tell me how and what she was praying for him.  [my heart melted into a puddle]

**I’m thankful to be married to my best friend.  Yes, I am.  He keeps me laughing and takes care of my heart.  He’s the best.

**I’m thankful for muscles, particularly my tough little 5 year old’s.  After vacuuming the other day, I asked him to put the vacuum away.  He started whining and wanted his sister to have to put it away.  I told him that he’s a bit stronger than she is and can handle it better, and before I was finished explaining that, he was hauling that vacuum around, totally strutting his stuff and telling me how many push-ups he did that morning.

Without a doubt, I’m loved, I’m seen, and I’m taken care of.

Taking the time to be intentional about really seeing God’s abundant goodness to me has made me very aware that He is always working in my life to bring about life and blessing.  I just need to be willing to look past the surface!

“He will cover you with His feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be our shield and rampart.”  Psalm 91:4

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.”  Psalm 34:8