BEING GRATEFUL

Well, the month of November has come and the end of the year is in sight.  Christmas decor is on the shelves, we've already seen snow falling here in Michigan and 2013 is going to be upon us before we know it.  But before we fast forward to trimming the tree and stuffing ourselves on holiday treats we have Thanksgiving coming up.  I have always loved the tradition of naming of things I am grateful for throughout the month of November.  I like how intentional it is-- how I really have to think about the blessings in my life.

This year has been particularly tough, but then when I really think about it, we are richly blessed.  Even in dealing with my lupus, our pregnancy struggles and my husband's job search we have been more than provided for, and everything dealt to us are things we have easily been able to handle and  manage.  Things could be so much worse.  And I am acutely aware of how good we have it despite all the negative. Despite Satan's attempts to demoralize and drive us to despair and giving up.

This season we are entering is one of so much joy and today I want to share the things I am most thankful for.  God has always given me more than I deserve.  Without sounding like a cliche I can really, truly look back at decisions I have made, words I have said without thinking, and go "wow. I am an awful and terrible sinner". I can say that, yet here I am, with a wonderfully supportive, handsome, loving husband, a warm home, as much food as I want to eat, hot coffee, and my sweet Bella Louise.  How did I get to be so lucky?  How awesome is it that I was born in this country?  I think sometimes we get  just how big this world is and how dang lucky we all are to be in America, where we can mostly say and do whatever we feel is right, where all of us can go to the store and buy a coke-- you, me, the president, anyone.  We are all blessed with this freedom, and despite our circumstances we are loved by God. I mean, it just renders me speechless because when you think about it on that scale and on those terms its like what do I have to complain about?

It's nice to list out the things we are thankful and grateful for, to see them and intentional say thankyou for them. So here is my November grateful list!

I am Thankful for in my life...
+ piping hot cups of apple cider, vanilla tea and dark coffee with peppermint mocha creamer.
+ Bella Louise, my always snuggly, always sweet yorkiepoo.
+ surprise packages in the mail from friends (thanks michaela & melanie!)
+ glitter, especially gold glitter. glitter ribbons, glitter confetti, glitter hair ties, glitter shoes!
+ worship music and being able to lead others in worship. This one is huge.
+ renewed prayer time and finding purpose in that. (This book has really helped me in this).
+ fiercely loyal friends who go above and beyond and who always cheer me up (ahem, megan).
+ Christmas music. Yes, I am that person who is playing it right now.
+ Michigan.  As hard as the winters are, there is nothing like a white Christmas!
+ Origins sea salt scrub and peppermint body wash. Nothing puts a spring in my step like that stuff!
+ and speaking of that, really REALLY hot showers.
+ breakfast dates with my husband.
+ dinner dates with my husband.
+ okay, ANY dates with my husband.
+ choosing Christmas presents for family.
+ Kraft paper and pretty Christmas ribbon. Christmas is becoming a theme here, huh?!
+ my camera, and the awesome clients that trust me to create something beautiful for them.
+ the fact that I am in a position where I could start my own business.
+ and that my husband is supportive of me and believes in what I am doing.
+ tim-tams.
+ the fact that we have lived coast to coast and in between this past year.
+ my tall boots, warm socks and oversized scarfs.
+ scripture that speaks to my heart and guides my path.
   Psalm 34: "I will extol the Lord at all times, His praise will always be on my lips. My soul boasts in the Lord. Let the       
   afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me, let us praise His name together."
+ bags of bird seed that I can dip my hands in.
+ the chocolate mustache my husband gets every single time he eats ice cream.
+ a roof over our heads.
+ warm food every single night.
+ an incredibly amazing family of believers (how often does that happen, where everyone in the family  
   believes in the Lord? like, really and truly are living life for Him? That is such a blessing.)
+ my doctors at UofM.  They really do amazing work.
+ my nephews and nieces and how much silliness and fun they bring to our day-to-day.
+ rare steak, creamy pasta, seafood, scones, olives, strawberries, and a million other food related things.
+ board games. Especially Cranium.
+ this blog. This space to connect and create and learn and grow.

Things I am thankful for about me...
+ that I am growing. That I am not satisfied with where I am in my spiritual life.  That I want to become more of what God wants for me as His child, a wife, a daughter, a sister and a friend.
+ that I am a nice person.  I'm hardly perfect but in my heart I know I am kind-- that I would never intentionally hurt someone, or hold a grudge. I genuinely care about people and their lives.
+ That I know when to quit. Well, I am still working on this one.  But-- that I know when to say my piece and then to walk away from a situation if it is hurtful or unsatisfying.  This one is hard, but I am glad I have had the courage to do it when it has mattered.

And finally, I am grateful for my sweet little puppy who does silly things like this:
literally, she spazzes out about treats at least 10 times a day.

What are you grateful for this year?

What is something you are thankful for about yourself?

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