I've Got Plenty to Be Thankful For...

From the words of Bing Crosby, in one of my favorite movies, Holiday Inn.  But it really is true...i've got plenty to be thankful for...So, i thought i would just be grateful...here goes...

1. my salvation...without it, i'd be hopeless and helpless...thank you, Jesus, for Your sacrifice
2. a loving God..who loves me just because...not because of anything i've done, and more than i can imagine
3.  my husband...who loves me more than i deserve, and tolerates my quirkiness :) (and i love him lots, too!)
4.  my son...truly a gift, too much like me, a lot like my dad, his own unique self...i wouldn't change a thing
5.  my job...even though it isn't necessarily what i would have chosen, i am grateful to have a job, with Christian co-workers, good leadership, and an opportunity to be a light...
6.  my home...more than a house, it's a place that i feel safe, know that i am provided for, and know i will always have a roof over my head...now-a-days, that's a plus!
7.  godly parents...who raised me to be responsible, taught me the Truth, led me in the way of the Father, took care of me, and then let me learn from my own experiences.  if only more children could have that privilege...
8.  music...it is the language of my soul...be it secular or sacred, i can express my innermost longings, thoughts, joys, hurts, frustrations, celebrations...i can't imagine life without music...i feel as though when i play, everything inside of me comes to life...
9.  family...they are with you through the good, the bad, and the ugly...and they are usually the ones that see the ugly the most...but they love you anyway...and usually like you, too! :)
10.  the Bible...when everything else seems to contradict, it is the one thing that remains true...living and active...my lamp and my light...hidden in my heart...no one can take that away.
11. trials...it is only in these times that i truly understand how much i need God, and meet Him in a fresh, new way.  that which doesn't kill you only makes you stronger...so much truth to that.  i would not be who i am today were it not for the trials He has carried me through...
12.  grandparents(mine and others!)...so full of wisdom, love and history...i only wish i had figured it out a little sooner than i did...i'd have gleaned more from those already gone...it makes life so much more meaningful, vivid, and valuable.
13.  soldiers...both military and spiritual...without both of them, we wouldn't be where we are today, able to worship our Holy God.  thank you!
14.  food...even though i can be rather picky, it's always better to have something, even when it's not your favorite! 
15.  a public education...although it often doesn't prove as useful as they'd like you to believe...it does indeed develop many other needed things...social, moral, leadership, relational, criticism, standing up for what you believe in, respecting authority, learning how to live under authority, even when you may not always completely agree...

i've got plenty more to be thankful for, but for tonight, i'll end it at that...!  the next batch will be a little more light-hearted!  until next time...(na-nu, na-nu!)