Thanksgiving… a time of the year when the smell of the food tantalizes the memory bank of years gone by. From childhood memories of family Thanksgivings at a grandparents house, with cousins, aunts and uncles and laughter sprouting from every corner to the memories that we are making today. From the turkey that baked all day to the traditional recipes passed down for generations. The potato dumplings dance in the pot and the whipped cream salad chills out in the freezer just waiting for their hour to be presented to the mouth watering family patiently waiting for their once a year feast. Our days are quieter than they once were, yet the joy and laughter still roars though the house bouncing off of the walls, reminding us that what’s more important than anything is the things that we can be thankful for.
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson
With times of uncertainty, we do ourselves great disservice if we cannot be grateful for the blessings that we have been given by the hand of our Lord Jesus Christ. Some of the things I am thankful for are: (in no particular order)
- A husband who has always provided for our needs and who continues to do so with every morsel of his being. For a man who trusts the Lord in everything he does and who loves me and cares for me ’til death do us part’.
-
I am thankful for my children who are growing up making the Lord a first priority in their lives and whose laughter warms their mother heart.
-
For family and friends who stand by us when we need them the most.
-
For a loving God who saved me out of the ashes to call me one of His own. Praise God… For once I was lost, and now am found.
-
I am thankful for the years we have been able to enjoy a cottage, where we could hang our hats and relax while the world went on without us. (Even though the realtor is coming tomorrow… sigh)
-
For the roof over our heads and the food that we enjoy at the giving of the Lord. (Even though we had a day of cold showers due to the hot water heater having issues and the fact that the kitchen sink is broken.)
-
For the gift of safety when traveling. (And for the nice police officer that did NOT give me a ticket even though I was speeding to get here…)
-
For the snow that reminds me of the changing over of seasons. (Even though I got stuck in the ditch going down the driveway and then got stuck half way up the driveway due to the great amount of snow.)
-
For the healing in my body and movement. (Even though I’m tired and achy…)
-
For the many friends that I have met through this blog. You keep me smiling and keep me going. 🙂
The last few days have been spent working to get the cottage ready to sell. Cleaning out closets, cleaning up after mice that thought they would take up residency since we haven’t been here in a few months, cooking and preparing for today. Now that today is here, I find myself relaxing in front of a fire watching the snow fall gently from the sky and trees while also smelling the turkey that warms itself in the oven. How could one not be grateful. We are blessed and there is no question about it and no reason to complain…. about anything!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! It is with great hope that your day is filled with thoughts of thankfulness, no matter where you are or what you are doing, that you will find something to be grateful for.
