Am I Really Thankful?

This morning I woke up before the kids, which hasn't happened for me in over a week (and I do much better when I don't wake up to them yelling for me to come get them up!).  I was so glad to have time to drink coffee and do my Bible study for a few minutes.  Along with my Bible study, most days I also try to list 5 things for which I'm thankful. 

But today when I sat down, I literally thought to myself, "I just don't feel thankful today."  I don't know why.  I just didn't.  But then I took a look around at my cute little home, with my husband curled up in his blanket with his Bible, and picked up my coffee.  What is there that I don't have to be thankful for? 

It's the week of Thanksgiving, for heaven's sake!  I asked God to make me thankful.  And He did.  So in the tradition of many of my facebook friends who are listing one thing each day, here is my list of 30 things all in one day!

I AM THANKFUL:

1. For the incredible, perfect timing of God in each moment of every day - because it's certainly not what I would plan but it always works out for the best.

2. That we sold our house before the baby comes, so I don't have to worry about keeping it clean afterward.

3. That after we're moved out of our house, I get to take a "break" by living between my in-laws' and my parents' for a while, rather than having to worry about setting up a new house while getting used to the baby.

4. For my husband, who is sweet and sensitive, yet very much a man.  He loves me, he loves our children, and he is daily growing to be more like Christ as he leads our home.

5. For my beautiful children, who teach me more than I ever thought each day.  They are completely opposite of each other, yet equally lovable.

6. For my third child, who should be here in less than a month (I HOPE!!).  She is healthy and strong, and reminds me of that at least every few minutes. (kick . . . turn . . . hiccup . . . kick)

7. That God brought us to Williamsburg when He did so that we could learn and grow as a family and as Christians for the past 5 years.

8. For the two Bible studies I've been in - Ladies Bible study each Wednesday and Young Marrieds Bible study every third weekend.  What an encouragement each has been to me!

9. Plain and simple . . . for coffee of all sorts, at any time of the day but especially in the mornings.

10. That this is the week of Thanksgiving, which means 4 days with David home, a wonderful feast with the Larsons on Thursday, Christmas decorating at home on Friday, and goodie making day on Saturday!

11. To have my 3-year-old sitting in the office with me "reading" silently because his sister is still asleep.  So precious.

12. That my #1 craving during pregnancy has been ice and not ice cream!

13. That so far, we have had gorgeous weather this fall.  What a beautiful season to enjoy with my family!

14. For my two best friends from college, Sarah and Heidi, who are always there for me.

15. For my washing machine - a gift from dear friends at church that makes it much more enjoyable to do laundry during the week.

16. For God's Word and the promises He gives in it.

17. That I live in a modern day where we have electricity, running water, etc. because I'm kind of wimpy and doubt that I'd survive well without lights or a bathroom inside.

18. That David is the "nerd" of the family and is willing to crunch numbers each month so we actually have a budget.

19. For my church family, who just keeps blessing us even though they know we will not be here much longer.  No one has said "good riddance" or anything; they keep on loving us!

20. That no matter what happens - who is president, where I am physically, what may be going on in the world - I can trust that nothing happens outside of God's knowledge.  He has a perfect ultimate plan for each of us and He definitely wins in the end!

21. That both of my kids are at an age where they say really, really funny things.  I'll be even more thankful when I remember to write them down!

22. That after I have the baby I get to be in the hospital for a couple of days.  I know some people don't like it but, really?  I quite enjoy sitting in that hospital bed where they bring me food and take the baby when I'm tired. 

23. For meat.  Yup, I said meat.  Some friends gave us a bunch of burgers, roasts, and chickens, and I am very thankful for each bite.

24. For pens and notebooks.  I am that crazy one that loves to write anything and everything, and make tons of lists.  I'm glad to have something that makes it happen.

25. That no matter what my physical blessings - and I've listed many - my spiritual blessings are far more and far greater.

26. For evenings spent lately with David, a cup of hot tea, and great conversation.

27. For my crockpot and my bread machine.  They certainly make life a lot easier!

28. For our SUV that God arranged for us to buy with cash.  It has been a huge blessing in our lives to be able to give rides, haul some things, etc.  We always wanted one but never thought we'd be able to afford one!

29. For personal ministry meetings we've been able to have with our pastor. 

30. As I finish my list, I'll end with the most important.  I am so thankful that God sent His Son Jesus to be born as a man, to live as a human, and to give the ultimate sacrifice so that we might each be saved from our sins.  I am thankful that this sacrifice was a gift I only needed to accept, and that Jesus is alive today!  I sure can't wait to see Him face to face someday!