Attitude of Gratitude

After I left for the Race and the reality of not being home for the holidays hit me, I was pretty bummed out. I love all the holiday ‘traditions’ that surround this time of year. Baking pecan pies, drinking apple cider, and buying silly decorations were all things I was sad about having to miss back home.

However, as Thanksgiving crept up, I found myself feeling so joyful and content to be spending my Thanksgiving here in Thailand. I knew everyone back home was having a good time, and I knew I was going to have a great time with my new family on the World Race. 

If I’ve got Jesus, He really is all I need to sustain me. I got to spend my holiday celebrating life in Thailand and giving Thanks to God who sent Jesus to die on my behalf. I realized just how much I had to be thankful for this year. JESUS redeemed my soul! Now that’s something worthy of thankfulness.

There are so many things all around me that I have to be thankful for!

I have breath in my lungs. Shoes on my feet (well, in Thai culture not while in someones house).  A Godly love that fills up my inner being.  New friends and family all over the world.  A bed to sleep on at night. A family back home who loves and supports me. A Church family whose commitment to my race has been more than I could ever have expected. Friends who bless me by being there for me always.

My heart is completely full and overflowing with gratitude. My heart actually aches when I think about all the ways God blesses me. And the crazy thing is, God wants to bless me. He loves to love me and provide for me. It is so beautiful. I’m in awe of you, Jesus!

So, it is not about big turkeys or apple cider. It’s about being aware of the MANY blessings God has laid upon me and giving Him the thanks He more than deserves.