On the World Race we have a little game we play called The Thankful Game. It’s a game that’s typically played when you haven’t slept in 3 days because of lumpy bus seats, when it’s your turn for a shower and there’s no more hot water, when your contacts dog decides your shoe is the perfect chew toy, or when your external hard-drive suddenly decides it won’t work anymore.
See, as much as things can seem to suck sometimes, it’s easy to forget the big picture, the picture where life really is great.
Since coming to Targu Mures I’ve played The Thankful Game a lot, but a couple days ago, as we were walking to our ministry in 18 degree weather I began to consider the other side. In this region where so many suffer in the cold what am I thankful for?
So in the spirit of Thanksgiving I would like to share with you some, of the many things, I’m thankful for.
1. My family back home, especially my Mom and Dad, who have always loved me no matter how rotten I acted, and have helped me financially more times than I can count
2. My amazing team, Unchained Rhythm, who loves, prefers and loves to play card games and watch GLEE!
3. My home, both here in Romania and in America, which are bigger and nicer than most of the worlds population will ever set foot in
4. Socks and shoes to keep my feet warm and protected in the cold.
5. Food, and not just food, good food. We may be on extreme budget this month, but we’re definitely making the best of it
6. My computer and camera, which allow me to document and share my experiences, and I’m thankful that they work
7. Hot showers during this very cold month
8. Heat and insulation. Enough said.
9. Fanta exotic and Schweppes Mandarin, which are both delicious
10. Bags of fun clothing that we can both sort through and give to people that need it
11. My Kindle and all the books on it.
12. Every single piece of warm clothing I own
13. Being able to experience all 4 seasons this year, even if it is freezing
14. Electricity and running water
15. Christmas music and Christmas movies
16. My supporters, and the opportunities I’ve been given to travel
17. The fact that I am educated
18. That I have all of my teeth and none of them are gold
19. That I’m not stuck in a hospital bed, sick and suffering
20. Skype
21. Regular western style toilets
22. Toilet paper
23. Running water
24. Our refrigerator
25. The fact that I can walk and I have nothing impairing my movement
26. My car in America that allows me to get from point A to point B quickly and easily
27. The fact that the floor in my house isn’t made of dirt, that it is larger than one room and that it isn’t heated by a stove
28. For God’s beautiful creation, especially the rolling hills of Transylvania right now and the ice crusted plants outside
29. Ambition
30. For my life. I am blessed.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
