Okay, so I did a post about 11 things that God has been teaching me lately, so I thought I would follow up with 11 reasons I have to be thankful. I know, I know, it’s past Thanksgiving, but I have reasons to be thankful every day.
Of course, I have 11,111,111,111,111 reasons to be thankful, but in the spirit of 11 countries in 11 months, here are 11 of them.
(Whew, that was a lot of 11s! Here we go!)
1. I am thankful for my family.
My family isn’t the average, run-of-the-mill family next door. We are what some may call, hmm, eccentric? Our house is usually covered with paint and craft supplies, and you will often find a tupperware container full of dirt and earthworms on our kitchen table. (Why? Don’t ask me.) I was raised on Star Trek, Star Wars, and all manners of science fiction and fantasy tales. But it is these quirky and nerdy traits that make me love my family the most. I wouldn’t trade them for anyone else.
2. I am thankful for my friends.
I seriously don’t know what I would do without my friends in my life. Especially my roommates who have to put up with me more than anyone else. 😉
3. I am thankful for my dog.
There is nothing quite like 70 pounds of bulldog waiting at your door when you get home to cheer you up.
4. I am thankful for Shorter University.
I may whine and complain about school on a regular basis, but I really have no reason to. I am so blessed to be able to receive a higher education, and I couldn’t think of a better place to do so. I could never express just how much I love my professors and my friends here, and I will truly miss the Hill when I graduate.
5. I am thankful for my church.
Through all of the ups and downs, I have loved watching my church grow and serve the community. From the days of meeting at the high school, to the movie theater, to the House of Rock, through three name changes, it has still always been the same loving community of people. And there has been nothing better than watching the kids I have had the joy of teaching grow up and grow in Christ.
6. I am thankful for rest.
When life seems crazy and busy, busy, busy, I am thankful for each moment to be still.
7. I am thankful for art.
Because there is no better way to relieve stress than by violently painting your feelings all over a canvas.
8. I am thankful for nature.
God has created such a lovely, beautiful world for us to live in. Cities are pretty cool, but they’ve got nothing on trees or mountains. I can’t wait to see more of the beautiful Earth that God made.
9. I am thankful for the present.
This one is hard for me sometimes when I’m so busy daydreaming about tomorrow, but I am thankful for each opportunity that I face each day, even in the tough days or the seemingly dull ones. Each day holds its own beauty.
10. I am thankful for the future.
With that being said, I am thankful for all of the opportunities that the future holds. Especially the World Race, which used to seem so far off, but now seems so terrifyingly close. I am also thankful for the opportunities that I don’t know about yet, for whatever God has in store when I come back. I am thankful for the endless possibilities.
11. I am thankful for Jesus and what he’s done for me.
