thankful

Well, I wanted to write this post on Thanksgiving Day, but we've had nonstop activities for several days now, so I haven't had a chance.  But, I'm thankful every day of the year, so it really doesn't matter that I express it on a certain day.  :)

First and foremost, I'm thankful to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for saving me.  And really, everything I'm about to list that I'm thankful for is all due to Him - He has blessed me beyond measure.  I'm thankful for growing up in a Christian family, and I'm very grateful that Mike also grew up in a Christian family - we have several great examples to learn from.

I'm thankful for my godly, intelligent, hard working, funny, loyal, supportive, and loving husband.  Even after 6 1/2 years of marriage I can marvel at how perfect we are for each other.  He is an awesome husband, and incredible father to our children.  I really don't think I could have survived this past year with a husband that doesn't want to be as involved in his children's lives.  I know parenting in general is best done as a team effort, but that's even more necessary with twins!

I am so very thankful for our children.  This first year has been amazing.  Yes, there have been plenty of challenges - all the first time parenting stuff plus the extra work of caring for two babies, but it's been so much fun to watch Caleb and Logan grow and develop.  I'm thankful that I had such a great pregnancy and that the boys were born healthy - many multiple pregnancies are more of a struggle and the babies have a rough start.

I am thankful for our material blessings.  A house to live in, food to eat, clothes to wear, cars to drive, and so much more.  We have so much more than many people in the world, and I hope that I don't lose sight of that, and that I do my best to share God's love, and help others.  It's so easy to compare ourselves to those that have more than us and become dissatisfied with what we have.  A couple Sunday's ago, our preacher shared this prayer of confession, and it really struck a chord with me:

Gracious God, like many believers before us,

we complain when things do not go our way.

We want abundance of everything,

rather than what is sufficient to sustain us.

We would rather be elsewhere than

where we are at the moment.

We would rather have the gifts You give to others

than what you provide for us.

We would rather have You serve us,

than serve you.

Forgive our lack of gratitude for what You give.  Amen

I could keep going, but I think I'll stop here.  :)  I hope if you take a few moments to stop and think that you'll become overwhelmed with all that you have to be thankful for.