My List of Gratitude

I am thankful for the ability to love and to be loved.

I am thankful for my husband who loved me enough to take me for better or worse, and that he has stuck to his end of the bargain.

I am thankful for our children who are out there learning, growing and who still show me love even when we don’t see eye to eye.

I am thankful for my boys who, God bless all three of them, suffered through my lack of experience with raising boys after growing up with only sisters for most of life. I love you all, and you are priceless to me.

I am thankful for the beautiful women who have come into my son’s lives, became my daughters through love and gave them the balance, love and the stability to grow into the men they are today.

I am thankful for my daughters who continue to challenge me to become the woman I need to be, and and who inspire me to continue pursuing personal and spiritual growth. You are my heart, and I love you.

I am eternally grateful for my grandchildren, who have reminded me of the pure, innocent, unconditional love and joy found in life’s simplicity.

I am grateful for my Momma and Daddy who loved me enough to let me live through my teenage years and who have never given up on believing in me.

I am grateful for my two sisters, who have shown me so much forgiveness over the years, and with whom I share that special connection of sisterhood.

I am grateful for my little brother who, even though we did not get to grow up together, has grown into one of my dearest, closest friends.

I am grateful for their spouses who joined our crazy bunch bringing so much love into our family, and who helped to create the wonderful chaos that occurs each time we are all together.

I am thankful for the most talented and loving neices and nephews - the older of whom are using their unique talents to bring joy and change into this tough world - the younger of whom are growing into loving adults with so much yet to offer.

I am thankful for my entire family of aunts, uncles, and in-laws who did not have the opportunity to choose me as a relative, but who have loved and supported me through so much.

I am thankful for Charlie’s family who welcomed me with open arms.

I am especially grateful for Charlie's sister and her family whose love and encouragement have touched me in more ways than they will ever know.

I am thankful for friends who have brought so much fun and laughter into our lives, and who have been there to support us in times when we could barely stand alone.

I am thankful for my job and for the good people I work with who have become like a second family to me.

I am thankful for my Savior who loved me enough to come to earth to die for my sins, and who has shown me liberating grace and abundant life.

I am grateful for the freedom to openly raise my voice and hands in worship and praise to Him for His precious grace.

I am so thankful that He has changed me, and that He continues to change me to live more in His image.

I am grateful for the promise that His protection will never leave me or forsake me no matter what He allows to touch my life or the lives of my loved ones.

I am thankful for fellow believers whose prayers strengthen me day by day.

I am thankful for a home to shelter me from the elements and for plenty of food to sustain my body.

I am thankful for shoes for my feet and clothes for my body.

I am thankful for a dependable, comfortable vehicle that gets me to and from work and the many other places I tend to travel.

I am thankful for my health and for the health of my loved ones.

I am thankful for the realization that there are those who do not have these basic necessities, and I am grateful that your Spirit that urges my heart to give to those who cannot help themselves and for Your conviction of my selfishness at times.

I am grateful that I can turn to You for wisdom as to when it is best to help, and when it is best to let go...as hard as it may be to do so.

I am thankful for laughter, for rest, for those precious experiences that flavor life with delicious memories.

There is so much more I could write, but for the sake of time I must close. But I must say one more thing before I do...I am thankful for you.