Giving thanks

"In EVERYTHING give thanks...", Paul wrote in the New Testament. From prison. While in chains. With no comforts of home. Or friends. Or family. I think on this quite often when I complain or feel sorry for myself for one reason or another. And four kids are calling my name. And trying to figure out what's for dinner. And attempting to model for my kids what Jesus modeled for us. And begging the Lord to give me that extra dose of grace in the midst of life.

And He does.

I have so very much for which to be thankful. In nurturing an attitude of gratitude in our little ones, I am constantly reminded of all the little blessings, the little whispers of God that fuel a fresh wind and fire through my soul. As the kids spend time each day and night telling us what they're thankful for I often find myself in tears. Their tender hearts don't miss a single thing for which to thank God! They rattle on and on and on. I smile as I think of our Lord listening to their ramblings of thankfulness: beds, blankets, pillows, jammies, grass, birds, trees, all the animals of the 'wheeled', horses, books, leaves, Daddy, Mommy, every family member by name (which I don't have the time to list!), sticks, Jesus dying on the cross, shoes, cheese, Clay (our dog), trumpets, church, clothes, food to eat, fans in their room, playgrounds, grass, cheese...you get the picture. Sometimes they each spend 10 minutes each listing all the things that come to their minds! I always laugh at how grass and cheese gets a few mentions--they really are BIG things in their lives! =)

But it always makes me stop and think of all the things I am blessed with each and every day. And its always the small things that come to mind, the very basics that so often get overlooked! Spending time in Central America has permanently altered my thankfulness for the little things!! Like turning on the faucet. And not only turning on the faucet, but to have clean water pouring out. A shower. Daily. A home with more space than we need (and we don't live in a large home by American standards). Hair that's not infested with lice and bellies not infested with worms. Food at our disposal. I know I could go on and on for paragraphs, but these are the things that I think of every day as I care for our family and home. What a blessing!!

As we travel this Thanksgiving to be with family, I pray that my mindset may be on all the littlest things and how greatly they bless my life. I do know that there are four little things running around my house every day that bless me so richly--even when I feel as though I may pull out my hair and change my name ;)  More importantly I pray that Paul's reminder of giving thanks in ALL THINGS resonates throughout every season of my life...not just in November.