This season of Thanksgiving is timely and meaningful for me. I've noticed recently that there is a buildup of frustration in me. I think this frustration is coming from my perception that my life feels scarce. Sleep feels scarce. Money feels scarce. Emotional energy feels scarce.
But each day I walk by our Thanksgiving Tree, and think to myself, "What do I have to be grateful for right now?" Every time I consider this, I experience a shift in my soul. My heart expands in awareness of how much I have. I experience joy and contentment. Bitterness and anxiety melt away. I recognize the abundance in my life. I remember that every single good thing I have is a gift and grace from God that I didn't earn or deserve.
Here are some things I am particularly thankful for right now:
- A growing friendship with my parents. They are really quality people, and I love spending time with them every week.
- Getting to connect with family and friends over FaceTime.
- My husband. He's my partner in life, and we have it pretty good.
- Great schools and teachers for our kids.
- Our housemate Ryland. We have built-in community with someone who we genuinely love.
- A healthy, functioning body.
- Friends who volunteer to babysit our kids.
- Resources to travel to California to spend time with family for Christmas. With a family of five, this is no small thing.
- My friend Cathy. In our friendship, we share, laugh, cry, and end up better people because of each other.
- A home where we can rest and welcome others.
- My three kids who each add so much love and joy to our family.
- Hugs that are a whole lot more than just a hug.
- A computer, car, and vacuum that all work.
- Our church community of risk-takers and faith adventurers.
- A moment today of quiet stillness.
- Getting to spend time doing what I love. The big pieces of my life - writing, parenting, discipling people - are all things that I want to be doing.
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