Thankfulness

During church today, I started thinking about things I am thankful for.  Yes, I am admitting to daydreaming during the service, but it was about good things and NOT about what I was having for lunch afterwards or something like that...  One of the things I happened to be reflecting on was how thankful I am to be able to attend a church such as Harvest where the Gospel is preached without worrying how people might react or what is more popular, but rather sticking with what God's Word and what He has for us.  

I feel like the topics of thankfulness and contentment have been popping up in my life lately and I wanted to share some things I am thankful for.  So excuse me if I rant a little bit.  While we were visiting our friends in Madison, we went around the table saying what we are thankful for and I think that is so important to reflect on what God has done and to notice blessings (whether big or small) in our life rather than taking them for granted.  It can be so easy to look ahead of where I'm at and start to say, "I'll be so happy when..." or "I wish I had..." or "Why can't we have/be in...".  I really try to catch myself when I start my sentences like that, it's a dangerous place to travel.  But when I get into my 'Woe is me' routine, the many things that we've been blessed with start disappearing as I step into complaining.  God has given all of us so much; why should we ever be dissatisfied?  I forget these truths so often, so if/when I start complaining, just hit me with them! 

Anyways, 
I am thankful for:

• Jonathon, a loving husband who helps me grow with him in the Lord.  I can always see his heart in trying to help me Who helps me learn how to be a better wife when at times, I am pretty horrible.  I just can't imagine how people do this without the Lord at the center!  
• close family who loves and cares for us by prayer and support throughout our lives.  
• this stage in life (even though some days I despise it).  I'm glad for the time Jon and I have together during his schooling.  I've noticed this is a great time for growth in many ways.  We have definitely learned how to value the time that we get together, be it few and far between often times. 
• our jobs, even though there are long and hard days, I am thankful that God has provided financially.  As we give to Him and trust Him more, He surprises us in ways we never expect and those are the best!  Everything we have is His, but it's been a difficult lesson in fighting off the feelings of needing what others have/do or what the world expects us to have.  
• our cute home.  Even though our insulation is not great and we seem to either bake or freeze and the fact that I just killed a bunch of baby spiders once again, I love our home.  I'm so thankful we no longer live in one small room together like in Korea.  But even then, I think I could still find things that I was thankful for within that place! 

Now, these are just a few things I'm thankful for, but I think it's a good start in thinking about what God has blessed me with.  Together with Jonathon, I want to work on this type of attitude change and just being able to recognize how blessed we really are.  

What are you thankful for today?