Thanksgiving

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While I was growing up at home, my mom had a wall motto hanging beside the kitchen sink that said: “Thank God for dirty dishes, they have a tale to tell, while others may go hungry, we’re eating very well.”Today I would like to echo that Thanksgiving quote.

By looking at what we do not have, or negative things in life, they can show us that for which we have to be thankful. Here is my random personal list of thankfulness. Maybe when you get done reading mine, you can make a similar list of your own.

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I am thankful for debt—it gives me incentive to work.

I am thankful I am not perfect—it would be tiring to always be performing.

I am thankful I am not you—I have enough difficulty figuring out my own challenges.

I am thankful for anger—it means I value something or someone enough to defend them.

I am thankful anger does not remain—for I would be very unpleasant to be around.

I am thankful I can forgive—it means that I can also be forgiven.

I am thankful for sadness—without it I would not understand joy.

I am thankful for burdens—they drive me to my knees in prayer.

I am thankful for wounds—they mean I can heal.

I am thankful for hell—it means there is heaven.

I am thankful for authority—it means there is structure.

I am thankful for potholes in the road—they make me an observant driver.

I am thankful for things that taste bad—they make me appreciate things that taste good.

I am thankful I get tired—it means I can enjoy rest.

I am thankful for pain—it means I am still alive.

I am thankful for the cold—it means I can look forward to the warmth inside.

I am thankful for my dirty, old truck—I don’t have to worry about it getting more dents.

I am thankful I am not twenty—it means I do not have to live to impress everyone.

I am thankful I am fifty—it means I have had health and strength enough to get this old.

I am thankful I am fifty—it means I have had an interesting life.

I am thankful I cannot have everything I want—it makes me value what I have.

I am thankful for trouble—it means I have something that can give trouble.

I am thankful for bad coffee—it makes me appreciate good coffee.

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I am thankful for my loving wife, who loves me with all my flaws and imperfections.

I am thankful for our beautiful, wonderful children who bring life to life.

Most of all, I am thankful for Jesus, and our merciful, loving, heavenly Father who loves me, and provided a way for me to be happy and free from sin.