I am thankful for so many things, not the least of which is indoor plumbing. Seriously. Someone had to think of that a long time ago, and throughout the ages the systems have been improved so that now we have all the water we need, and disposal services, in our homes. Am I thankful to some person for these things? Not really. God gets my gratitude because all good things come from God, including really brilliant ideas. I am thankful for wireless internet, and iPods and fun stuff like that. Again, there are a bunch of people who have invented amazing things, who were gifted by God's inspiration.
I think about my life, my family and my job, and I'm overwhelmed with gratitude to my Creator. I was born to a pair of wonderful parents who, though imperfect people, brought me up and trained me to love God. They recognized things in me, how God made me, and encouraged me in my musical development (sometimes against my wishes!). They set me up so perfectly for the life I am living today. I am thankful to them, but even more so to God.
I am thankful for my dear husband, the love we share, and our foundational commitment to each other. Although sometimes the sparks fly, at the end of the day, our relationship is stronger for the struggles. And though we are far from perfect, I see over and over again how God set us up as the perfect mates for each other. We are both better people for having each other's influence over us. We need each other, and so God provided. To fill out our family, God has given us two precious girls. They each contribute their own brands of joy to our lives.
To say that I'm thankful for my job seems to fall so very short of my attitude about it. I am so amazed that I have been providentially placed in this job. God placed desires in my heart, and He put me through situations over the last several years that fanned those flames of desire to a point of desperation, and now He has fulfilled my desires in ways I hadn't even imagined. How does a man feel about a water fountain after days in a dry desert? That's how I feel about my job. I'm thankful to God for satisfying my thirst. He's showing me over and over again that He made me the way He made me not to frustrate me, but to allow me to flourish in His timing. His plan is the best, and sometimes the waiting part is hard, but the wandering in the desert eventually leads to a more satisfying end than anyone could ever imagine.
My family had a lovely Thanksgiving, and I hope yours did as well.
And now for Christmas...
