The Small Things

As I see everyone's Facebook statuses and blog posts about thankfulness I'm reminded how often I take things for granted and don't really stop to be thankful. My dad made the comment yesterday that the whole essence of being thankful means that you are forced to be thankful to something or someone. How often do I stop to thank God for everything that he has given me? Sometimes I think that I would be far more thankful if I had far less... if I didn't know where my next meal would come from I would truly be filled with gratitude when food came along. Instead I assume that there will be food on the table and I even complain sometimes when the pantry gets a little under stocked and I can't find cereal. How ungrateful my heart really is. Today has made me realize not only the numerous blessings that I'm given each and everyday but that I  need to stop and take the opportunity to be thankful for them everyday.

Tonight as Americans are finishing leftover turkey and pie, watching football, and planning their attack on the stores in the early morning hours I'm left thinking about how empty my life would be if that's all it consisted of. It's so easy to take the small things for granted and it's easy for me to look through Black Friday ads or to even see something one of my friends has and to instantly have desires for things that I didn't even know existed much less wanted. Yet when I look around me I'm forced to forget about sales and stuff and presents...

I see my three beautiful cousins from China and Korea, how amazed I am by the blessing of adoption and by the beauty by which their adoption represents the way God welcomes us into His family. I hear laughter filling the house and I'm thankful for family members who were able to come spend the weekend with us. I still smell the pumpkin, turkey, and spices from our lunch floating through the house and am blessed by the fact that we didn't have to wonder where our food was going to come from today. I'm thankful for the deliciously warm weather today that provided us with the opportunity to go run around outside for a while this afternoon. From daily living with the bestest little siblings, to always being completely forgiven... I am blessed beyond measure.

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!