Ok, I'm doing this. Each day of November up until Thanksgiving Day, I'm going to write in this listicle below what I am thankful for....and it will be updated each day. I know people usually do this on Facebook or Instagram or Twitter or whatever online social media outlet there is, but if I think this may just be easier and drive my friends less crazy.
What I'm thankful for.....
1) God's Creation. "Have you ever had a sense of peace when you witnessed majestic mountain peaks or ocean expanses? If so, you bear testimony to how we are blessed when we encounter something bigger than ourselves. Our own burdens seem a little lighter when we witness the awesome and the majestic. Such bigness, of course, points to the Creator who is bigger than his creation. Jonah is revealing to us the God who is bigger than we think, and that is just the medicine we need to take us out of ourselves." - Ed Welch. This sums up how I think about appreciating God's creation; it reveals God's beauty, God's compassion, God's sovereignty, God's bigness, God's love, God's precision, and so much more. It keeps me in awe of Him that He could create mountains and oceans of such incredible vast beauty. Psalm 19:1. His creation keeps me humble, and reminded of how small I am. I'm thankful God takes the time to show off His glory, and create for His own pleasure. And if you go to the beach or the mountains, take me with you!
2) My Family. Without a doubt, my family has had a large sum of ups and downs over the last thirty something years. But I've realized something, in light of this, for some reason, they still love me - and I do still very much love them. There are family members that have close to zero in common with me, and we don't talk as often as we should or even see each other as often as we should. But you only get one family that you are born into, and you certainly do not have to love anyone in the life if you don't want to (but hopefully you DO want to!). And my family loves me, and I love them. It's not always easy being so far away from them, sometimes I'm downright homesick. But Christ does call us to love, and they will know we belong to God by how we love each other (John 13:35, NIV), and I do believe this starts with the some of the toughest areas which can be the ones closest to us - our family. I'm incredibly thankful for them, everything they've taught me and how God has used them in my life. So thankful.
3) Modern Medicine. Say what you will about vaccines, prescription drugs, surgeries, chemotherapy, and what not; it still won't change the fact that God used modern medicine to save my life. In this journey, I've seen people who eat all organic, do yoga five times a day, do juicing, and use all organic products and STILL get cancer. To be completely honest, I'm incredibly thankful that I live in a country that has the world's best doctors and top notch medical care. Specifically, I'm so thankful for Johns Hopkins and the Comprehensive Cancer Center they have in Baltimore, MD - a quick 45 minute drive from my home. Chemo isn't fun, drugs can definitely not be fun, needles hurt, surgeries aren't desirable but PRAISE the Lord that I have the ability to be seen by a doctor quickly, and get quality medical care. I'm encouraged that the disciple Luke was in fact, a doctor, and so thankful that God uses modern medicine to cure us, help us, and restore us to strength for His glory.
4) Sleep. I once heard that koalas sleep anywhere from 16 to 20 hours a day, and I'm somewhat convinced this could be my spirit animal. Joking! Anyhow, I'm grateful for the hours we have in a day to rest, recharge, and sleep. I'm often reminded that God actually created us to sleep 1/3 of our lives. If rest was not important to Him, then He would not have made us this way. Sleep keeps us humble, not dependent on our own strength. And how much better do we function after a night's good sleep! I'm so thankful God has called us to rest, and how rest glorifies Him and is considered holy. I also saw a funny meme that once said, "If you love someone, let them sleep." So true, ha!
5) Heaters. This is a new appreciation I have, given I grew up in a mix of Florida and Texas - two hot climates. Living in DC and Missouri has made me appreciate heat so much more. I currently have two space heaters in my room, and they are lovely. Runners up in this category are also hot water, hot food, hot cocoa, heated tiles, heating pads, hot towels, hot stone massages, and hot dogs. I'm so thankful for the heat I'm able to have - a comfort beyond measure, and my heartbreaks to think of those who have to sleep out in the cold - both human and pets. I'm thankful I live in a city that offers shelter to those who do not have a warm place to lay their head at night. I pray for the relief of the poor, and for those in need of warmth and friends can find it. (Also if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? - Ecclesiastes 4:11)
6) Good Roommates. These people may choose to live with me, but they don't choose how I live, ha! It's a joy to come home to a girl(s) who you may not have been best friends with when you moved in, but you can't imagine your life without them now. I've had great roommates most of my life with a few rough patches here and there, but overall, each girl I've lived with has given me a sweet lasting friendship. One's home is often viewed as their "safe place" or a sanctuary to shelter from life's tough times, to just come home to crawl into bed, read God's word, and rest. No chaos. No turmoil. No distress. No fighting. No passive aggressiveness. What an incredible gift to have good roommates. I'm thankful to just plop down on the sofa in my pajamas with one of my roommates, and just do life together.
7) Laughter. I know, this may sound lame and cheesy, but I just love to laugh. I love smiles, they are always worth so many words. A smiling and laughing person is an incredibly magnetic and attractive quality. If you're going to go through tough times in life, you might as well have someone in it who can make you laugh, make you smile. I love funny movies, funny jokes, funny friends, being lighthearted, and just taking it in. A former boss once told me when I asked for feedback, "Candidly, don't sweat the small stuff." I was expecting something tough, but that made so much sense to me. While life is short, it can have some long days. And it's not worth getting worked up over little things of no eternal value. Take a leap of faith, use 20 seconds of crazy courage to do something, laugh out loud, throw kindness around like confetti, give back, and just drink every drop of life you can. I'm so thankful for laughter, and how it allows me to not take myself too seriously.
8) Horses. I love all animals pretty much, except snakes or rats. Today I got to go on a trail ride in Clinton, Maryland with a sweet friend and loved every second. There is just something so adorable about the nose of a horse, their warm breath checking out your hands for food, for kindness, for a friend. So cute how they each have a personality. When I was going through one of the toughest times of my life, I made myself go out to the barn and ride. It was incredibly therapeutic, and an evidence of God's grace. I'd forget about the storm I was in, and just hang out with an animal who trusts me to guide him/her around a field and over jumps. I rode horses for over 14 years, and it always takes me back to an innocence of my childhood and a competitive spirit. I'd remember why I started it in the first place: I just loved the animal. I loved the quiet of hearing them breath, the sound of their hooves hitting the ground, the way they'd get to know you. An evidence of God's creation, they are powerful yet gentle; sweet yet driven; honest, protective, trusting yet opinionated at times. I'm thankful for horses, for all God has used them to teach me - about myself and about Him.
9) My church. I could write for days on this, but trust me when I say there is nothing quite like having a church family. These people are in a covenant commitment to do life with me, to love me, show me grace, give patience, hold me accountable, teach me, care for me, help me, share in my joys, share in my sorrows, pray for me, and so much more. I only pray I can do half of that in service back to them. I'm so thankful for my church, and how blessed I am to hear the gospel preached faithfully each Sunday. God's grace overflows.
10) God's Sovereignty. I'm so thankful that no matter what comes our way each day, God is there and in control. He is so sovereign, over all things and all circumstances. Nothing we can do will thwart His plan (Job 42:2). Incredibly grateful that I can rest knowing that God has orchestrated our steps, our tomorrows, and lovingly correcting us all the time. We can't see tomorrow, but He can - and praise God He reigns as King.
11) Veterans. I live in a country where I can worship freely, say what I want, write what I want, go vote on election day, and carry a gun if I'd like to. Without men and women who have served in our military, I would not be able to go to church, read a bible, or worship my Lord openly. Praise God for freedom, and those willing to defend it. So thankful for our veterans and their many sacrifices.
12) Long Lasting Friends. Without a doubt, I think this is something we often take for granted. But long lasting friends are truly unique and incredible people in our lives. Our family is always our family. But man, long lasting friends are not our family and still CHOOSE to love us anyway despite seeing all our flaws, mistakes, trials, triumphs, sin, and joys over the years (I mean, our family does too!). You may grow apart in certain ways, but you can always trust that the person loves you for you no matter how much you change. The reality is, we'll never stay the same person - I hope! I hope we continue to grow, become wiser, better, and more mature changing into what God wants us to be. With change, the friends who stay with you are incredibly invaluable and cherished. These people realize friendships are give/take, but there will be seasons where some are giving and some are taking more than others and give you grace anyway. The people who have chosen to stick with me and do life with me, are beyond appreciated. So thank you to those who are still there, love me beyond anything I can imagine, and show me grace every day beyond what I deserve! So thankful for this blessing and gift!
13) Mentors. Mentors come in so many forms, whether it be life, the gospel, the workplace, sports, etc. For me, I've been incredibly blessed to have mentors who care for me to invest in my life to see fruit of the gospel produced. These women have selflessly given their time to read the bible with me, meet with me, listen to me, share truth with me, and just love me. Also, I've had professional mentors, most of which are former bosses, who have taught me far beyond what I can imagine. Their words have put my career in perspective, taught me how to balance, believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself, and pushed me to learn more - all of which have made me a more marketable and valuable professional today. All of these mentors, have been a sweet evidence of God's grace, and I'm so thankful they have taken the time to teach me. So so thankful for people who seek to be mentors!
What I'm thankful for.....
1) God's Creation. "Have you ever had a sense of peace when you witnessed majestic mountain peaks or ocean expanses? If so, you bear testimony to how we are blessed when we encounter something bigger than ourselves. Our own burdens seem a little lighter when we witness the awesome and the majestic. Such bigness, of course, points to the Creator who is bigger than his creation. Jonah is revealing to us the God who is bigger than we think, and that is just the medicine we need to take us out of ourselves." - Ed Welch. This sums up how I think about appreciating God's creation; it reveals God's beauty, God's compassion, God's sovereignty, God's bigness, God's love, God's precision, and so much more. It keeps me in awe of Him that He could create mountains and oceans of such incredible vast beauty. Psalm 19:1. His creation keeps me humble, and reminded of how small I am. I'm thankful God takes the time to show off His glory, and create for His own pleasure. And if you go to the beach or the mountains, take me with you!
2) My Family. Without a doubt, my family has had a large sum of ups and downs over the last thirty something years. But I've realized something, in light of this, for some reason, they still love me - and I do still very much love them. There are family members that have close to zero in common with me, and we don't talk as often as we should or even see each other as often as we should. But you only get one family that you are born into, and you certainly do not have to love anyone in the life if you don't want to (but hopefully you DO want to!). And my family loves me, and I love them. It's not always easy being so far away from them, sometimes I'm downright homesick. But Christ does call us to love, and they will know we belong to God by how we love each other (John 13:35, NIV), and I do believe this starts with the some of the toughest areas which can be the ones closest to us - our family. I'm incredibly thankful for them, everything they've taught me and how God has used them in my life. So thankful.
3) Modern Medicine. Say what you will about vaccines, prescription drugs, surgeries, chemotherapy, and what not; it still won't change the fact that God used modern medicine to save my life. In this journey, I've seen people who eat all organic, do yoga five times a day, do juicing, and use all organic products and STILL get cancer. To be completely honest, I'm incredibly thankful that I live in a country that has the world's best doctors and top notch medical care. Specifically, I'm so thankful for Johns Hopkins and the Comprehensive Cancer Center they have in Baltimore, MD - a quick 45 minute drive from my home. Chemo isn't fun, drugs can definitely not be fun, needles hurt, surgeries aren't desirable but PRAISE the Lord that I have the ability to be seen by a doctor quickly, and get quality medical care. I'm encouraged that the disciple Luke was in fact, a doctor, and so thankful that God uses modern medicine to cure us, help us, and restore us to strength for His glory.
4) Sleep. I once heard that koalas sleep anywhere from 16 to 20 hours a day, and I'm somewhat convinced this could be my spirit animal. Joking! Anyhow, I'm grateful for the hours we have in a day to rest, recharge, and sleep. I'm often reminded that God actually created us to sleep 1/3 of our lives. If rest was not important to Him, then He would not have made us this way. Sleep keeps us humble, not dependent on our own strength. And how much better do we function after a night's good sleep! I'm so thankful God has called us to rest, and how rest glorifies Him and is considered holy. I also saw a funny meme that once said, "If you love someone, let them sleep." So true, ha!
5) Heaters. This is a new appreciation I have, given I grew up in a mix of Florida and Texas - two hot climates. Living in DC and Missouri has made me appreciate heat so much more. I currently have two space heaters in my room, and they are lovely. Runners up in this category are also hot water, hot food, hot cocoa, heated tiles, heating pads, hot towels, hot stone massages, and hot dogs. I'm so thankful for the heat I'm able to have - a comfort beyond measure, and my heartbreaks to think of those who have to sleep out in the cold - both human and pets. I'm thankful I live in a city that offers shelter to those who do not have a warm place to lay their head at night. I pray for the relief of the poor, and for those in need of warmth and friends can find it. (Also if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? - Ecclesiastes 4:11)
6) Good Roommates. These people may choose to live with me, but they don't choose how I live, ha! It's a joy to come home to a girl(s) who you may not have been best friends with when you moved in, but you can't imagine your life without them now. I've had great roommates most of my life with a few rough patches here and there, but overall, each girl I've lived with has given me a sweet lasting friendship. One's home is often viewed as their "safe place" or a sanctuary to shelter from life's tough times, to just come home to crawl into bed, read God's word, and rest. No chaos. No turmoil. No distress. No fighting. No passive aggressiveness. What an incredible gift to have good roommates. I'm thankful to just plop down on the sofa in my pajamas with one of my roommates, and just do life together.
7) Laughter. I know, this may sound lame and cheesy, but I just love to laugh. I love smiles, they are always worth so many words. A smiling and laughing person is an incredibly magnetic and attractive quality. If you're going to go through tough times in life, you might as well have someone in it who can make you laugh, make you smile. I love funny movies, funny jokes, funny friends, being lighthearted, and just taking it in. A former boss once told me when I asked for feedback, "Candidly, don't sweat the small stuff." I was expecting something tough, but that made so much sense to me. While life is short, it can have some long days. And it's not worth getting worked up over little things of no eternal value. Take a leap of faith, use 20 seconds of crazy courage to do something, laugh out loud, throw kindness around like confetti, give back, and just drink every drop of life you can. I'm so thankful for laughter, and how it allows me to not take myself too seriously.
8) Horses. I love all animals pretty much, except snakes or rats. Today I got to go on a trail ride in Clinton, Maryland with a sweet friend and loved every second. There is just something so adorable about the nose of a horse, their warm breath checking out your hands for food, for kindness, for a friend. So cute how they each have a personality. When I was going through one of the toughest times of my life, I made myself go out to the barn and ride. It was incredibly therapeutic, and an evidence of God's grace. I'd forget about the storm I was in, and just hang out with an animal who trusts me to guide him/her around a field and over jumps. I rode horses for over 14 years, and it always takes me back to an innocence of my childhood and a competitive spirit. I'd remember why I started it in the first place: I just loved the animal. I loved the quiet of hearing them breath, the sound of their hooves hitting the ground, the way they'd get to know you. An evidence of God's creation, they are powerful yet gentle; sweet yet driven; honest, protective, trusting yet opinionated at times. I'm thankful for horses, for all God has used them to teach me - about myself and about Him.
9) My church. I could write for days on this, but trust me when I say there is nothing quite like having a church family. These people are in a covenant commitment to do life with me, to love me, show me grace, give patience, hold me accountable, teach me, care for me, help me, share in my joys, share in my sorrows, pray for me, and so much more. I only pray I can do half of that in service back to them. I'm so thankful for my church, and how blessed I am to hear the gospel preached faithfully each Sunday. God's grace overflows.
10) God's Sovereignty. I'm so thankful that no matter what comes our way each day, God is there and in control. He is so sovereign, over all things and all circumstances. Nothing we can do will thwart His plan (Job 42:2). Incredibly grateful that I can rest knowing that God has orchestrated our steps, our tomorrows, and lovingly correcting us all the time. We can't see tomorrow, but He can - and praise God He reigns as King.
11) Veterans. I live in a country where I can worship freely, say what I want, write what I want, go vote on election day, and carry a gun if I'd like to. Without men and women who have served in our military, I would not be able to go to church, read a bible, or worship my Lord openly. Praise God for freedom, and those willing to defend it. So thankful for our veterans and their many sacrifices.
12) Long Lasting Friends. Without a doubt, I think this is something we often take for granted. But long lasting friends are truly unique and incredible people in our lives. Our family is always our family. But man, long lasting friends are not our family and still CHOOSE to love us anyway despite seeing all our flaws, mistakes, trials, triumphs, sin, and joys over the years (I mean, our family does too!). You may grow apart in certain ways, but you can always trust that the person loves you for you no matter how much you change. The reality is, we'll never stay the same person - I hope! I hope we continue to grow, become wiser, better, and more mature changing into what God wants us to be. With change, the friends who stay with you are incredibly invaluable and cherished. These people realize friendships are give/take, but there will be seasons where some are giving and some are taking more than others and give you grace anyway. The people who have chosen to stick with me and do life with me, are beyond appreciated. So thank you to those who are still there, love me beyond anything I can imagine, and show me grace every day beyond what I deserve! So thankful for this blessing and gift!
13) Mentors. Mentors come in so many forms, whether it be life, the gospel, the workplace, sports, etc. For me, I've been incredibly blessed to have mentors who care for me to invest in my life to see fruit of the gospel produced. These women have selflessly given their time to read the bible with me, meet with me, listen to me, share truth with me, and just love me. Also, I've had professional mentors, most of which are former bosses, who have taught me far beyond what I can imagine. Their words have put my career in perspective, taught me how to balance, believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself, and pushed me to learn more - all of which have made me a more marketable and valuable professional today. All of these mentors, have been a sweet evidence of God's grace, and I'm so thankful they have taken the time to teach me. So so thankful for people who seek to be mentors!
Why the lack of comments ?
ReplyDelete