Thanksgiving all year round

Isn't is wonderful when you start putting your blessings down on paper!! It is amazing how many things there are to be thankful for, and especially when we're to be convinced that the world is the worst it could possibly be. I realize that times are hard (boy do we realize that being in the mortgage industry), but I think so many of you hit the nail on the head with all the things that you are thankful for. We are taught in our society that it's the material things we should be proud of and work for and appreciate and consider important. The things most of you have listed are almost all about relationships. Those things are there during the good times and bad, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health....hmmm, that sounds familiar.. It's true, though. How easily I forget sometimes that it's the people God has placed in our lives near and far that make us who we are and make our lives worth living. I'm thankful for:

- my Merciful God and Savior. I cringe when I think about how quickly and deeply I fail Him in every aspect of my life. I feel like I try so hard to do what is right, and yet I blow it over and over again. What do I get in return? His constant love and grace over and over. I know where I'd be without Him, and I'm grateful I need never fear death because of what He's given me.

- my husband. I struggle with being the wife John needs and deserves, and yet he would never tell anyone that. He is so good to love me right where I am and is willing to try all of my wild and crazy ideas - and there are so many - he truly is the best thing God has ever given me.

- the 4 BEST children I could ever ask for. I have 4 NUTS in my house all the time, and I don't know what I would do without them. I was asked recently what I'd do if time and money weren't an issue, and I said......just exactly what I'm doing. I love being at home with 4 of my 5 best friends. They love me, make me laugh, make me think, encourage me, challenge me, cheer me on, and just love me more.

- my family. I hear so many people complain about family and want to be as far away from them as possible, and I just can't imagine feeling that way. I am surrounded by a love bunch of people that aren't perfect - and I LOVE it that way. They are real. They are there when I need them. They are all over this country, and even though we can't see each other often, we enjoy every minute that we do get blessed with.

- my friends. These are people that had a choice when it came to meeting me. Some of them may wonder why they didn't just walk away when they had the chance, but they didn't for some odd reason. Because of that decision, they have blessed me immensely through the years. I am so blessed to have friends that I can call on anytime for any reason and beg for any kind of help - and surprisingly, they'll come to the rescue. The best part of these wonderful friends is that they understand my crazy life. I just don't have the time I'd like to spend with each of them, and yet, when we do get together, we just seem to pick up right where we left off and take those nuggets of time together and cherish them.

- my home and life. My dad laughed once that this was not the laugh he had ever imagined for me - me neither. I really thought I'd be some famous actress on Broadway (that was my dream when I was a little girl - imagine that. haha), but you know, I can't imagine God giving me anything I'd love more than this home and life I have right now. It's not always easy, but I think God has used those times to teach me so many lessons on contentment and true joy that He would never have gotten into my thick head any other way.

- my country. We have problems. We are going through hard times. We have more hard times ahead. We are turning toward immoral things more and more and turning away from the morals this country was founded on. And yet.....I still can't think of any other country I'd rather live in at the moment. We are still blessed to be able to write about all the things we're thankful for. We can still worship God as He directs us. We can still say God bless you when someone sneezes or Merry Christmas this time of year whether the advertisements say it or not. We still are free, and I'm so very thankful to be here and have the opportunity to participate in a government that will be what I am willing to make it.

That's my list. I have so enjoyed reading every one's lists this past week. It has been wonderful to begin this Christmas season with our hearts focused on what matters the most. Thank you all for giving me that!!

In Him,
Prairie Momma