Still Thankful

It’s two days after Thanksgiving. My kids are all tucked in bed as the night wind howls around the house. I’ve been cruising the web: Pinterest, Facebook, Google Reader, etc. It’s getting on late and I should be going to bed. Tomorrow is an unknown known day. But I’m not going yet. I’m going to list out the things I’m thankful for from just today. Why? Because being thankful should happen in the middle of things but even if it doesn’t, it should still happen. I haven’t planned out this list; I’m just thinking back from the very beginning of my start of my day and listing as many things as I can.

1. a warm bed
2. waking up with a strong husband
3. not waking up to a knock on the door
4. two heads popping up from the couch
5. help cracking eggs
6. cleaning up messes
7. cheers for french toast
8. a garden hose conversation
9. a listening friend
10. remembering to give thanks in the middle
11. remembering if it is from Him, He will make it happen- trust
12. leftovers that aren’t loved but are not wasted
13. Beethoven’s Op. 14 No. 2 and Moonlight Sonata falling under the fingers
14. hooking up the computer to the tv to watch the game without a phone call for help
15. changing the vacuum hose by myself
16. jamming to U2 in the van
17. cleaning an apartment
18. complaining turning to compliance
19. Perfect Games
20. good conversations in the car
21. homemade cookies
22. Michael Buble Christmas music
23. homemade pizza
24. football games
25. buttons on school crafts
26. liquid applique
27. mod podge
28. glue guns
29. heat embossing
30. bedtime

Why do I do this? Because I have to practice. I have to learn. “I have learned the secret to be content.”, Paul says in Philippians.

This all started with the book One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. I’d encourage you to read it or, at least, to visit her blog, A Holy Experience and read. It is well worth your time.  There are several things you can even download and print for your own times of thanksgiving. Finally, start your own 1,000 gifts journey by adding the free app or just a pencil and notebook (free printable for that, also).