Thanksgiving

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, and bless His name." Psalm 100:4

Uncle Steve said something in his sermon Sunday that I thought would be great to elaborate on during this week of Thanksgiving. He said, "Instead of trying to get more of what we don't have, we need to be thankful for what we do have."

What I don't have...a child.

What I do have... I have the most amazing friends a girl could ever ask for. They lift me up when I'm down, and they encourage me every single day. They make me laugh, and they inspire me to be a better person. Each one of my friends, God placed in my life at just the right time for both of us. I am thankful for my friends.

I have the best family in the world. I grew up with 2 loving parents who love us and love each other. I had a wonderful marriage as an example to live by. Not many people can say the same. My parents have sacrificed for me, encouraged, loved, supported, and nurtured me throughout my whole life. My sister is one of the most thoughtful people I know, and I love her dearly. I married into the most amazing family ever, full of Godly examples and people who poured out their love to someone they barely even knew at the time. I am thankful for my family.

I have the most awesome job! Every single day, I get to help people. I have the opportunity to help someone feel better and brighten their day just by listening or with a simple smile. I truly love what I do, and I am physically able to do it. Both of our jobs are enjoyable and provide us with income so we can buy groceries, go on vacations, give to others, and live in a nice home. I am thankful for my job.

I have the ability to see, hear, touch, smell, feel, taste, think, walk, run, jump, talk, and laugh. I am healthy. These are things that I take for granted every single day, but I'm incredibly thankful for.

I have an inspirational church family. Michael and I have gone to Meadow Grove for over 5 years, but we haven't truly gotten "plugged in" until about a year ago. We are always presented with opportunities where we can get involved and help others. The church leaders are incredible people with hearts on fire for God. We are inspired and encouraged daily by our friends at Meadow Grove. I am thankful for our church family.

I have 2 "children" in the form of labrador retrievers. Tebow and Molly have brought so much joy to our lives. They make us laugh and smile every single day, and they love us like only a dog could. I am thankful for my puppies.

I have the most amazing husband and best friend that I could ever imagine possible. That's one of those things where I asked God for a good husband, and He said, "Really, that's all you want? I have something MUCH better for you!" And then He gave me Michael. Every day, I stand amazed at how he has grown into a man who lives every day for the Lord. I trust him with my whole heart. He is quiet and humble, and he leads me by example and with soft, well spoken words. He is the Godly leader for our family, and he will be the most incredible father to our children. And he would get mad if he knew I was writing all this good stuff about him because he does not want any credit for anything. He wants all the glory to go to God. I am thankful for my husband.

I have a risen Lord and Savior who walked on this earth as a man and died a painful death, a death that I deserve. He paid the ultimate price for my sins, so that I could have a chance to spend eternity in heaven with Him. He sacrificed His Son to take my place to give me the gift of eternal life, a gift I don't deserve. I do not truly know the love of a parent because I am not yet one, but I can say that I most likely would not turn over my child to die a brutal death for sinners who tortured and beat Him. That is how much our Father loves us. Isn't it crazy that He can love me that much? I am eternally thankful for my Savior.

It's time that I stop focusing on the one thing I don't have and be more grateful for the multitude of blessings that I do have. Happy Thanksgiving!