Monday, November 19, 2012

Thankful for....

Thanksgiving is upon me and I have to take time and reflect on what I am thankful for in life.  Here's my top ten.  It's funny but ... there's nothing material in my top ten... makes me think about my priorities. 

1) First off I'm thankful most of all for God who loves me and for His son who saved me. A God who has not only loved me but pursued me and and not only gives but takes away; and had it not been for that - the tumor they found in 2007 would have ended my life. A God who laughs at me when I try to do everything myself, who doesn't slap me over the head when I'm being a brat, who comforts me when I'm sad.  A God who I have known all my life but have only scratched the surface of understanding what He is.  A God who protects me and is my handsome Knight who slays the dragons of my life.  A loving Father who gives me good gifts, and rejoices over me with singing.  A Father who will one day call me home and my Prince Charming who will take me to his kingdom... How blessed am I? 

2) I'm thankful for a husband who loves me, stands by me, puts up with me, protects me and prays for me.  A man who makes me laugh and after all these years can make my heart melt.  A man who patiently allows me to paint on anything in our house, write stories when I should be doing chores, publish books, adopt dogs and bring children who don't belong to us into our house, home and heart.  A man who loves God more than me, his kids or anything else, a man who pursues God's will, has a heart for the hurting and people in need, and prays with his children. 


3) Thankful for those wonderful little people who call me "mom "; both the ones I gave birth to and the ones who are children of my heart. D.- you have such a heart for God, and you are so sweet and tender.  You are the one who stops random women and tells them they're pretty. You make me crazy but you make me proud to be your mom.  You are going to make some girl very happy many years from now, because you are going to be the most tenderhearted of husbands.  I pray that the world doesn't take that goodness from you!  S- you are like a diamond- many faceted so that I have only just begun to know who you are five years after God brought your sunshine into our lives. You know just what to do to make me want to jump out a window and just what to do to melt my heart completely.  I am so completely in love with both of you, my birthday presents!  X- our "brown" kid- you have blessed us in SO many ways.  You inspire me!  You make me want to be a better writer, teacher and christian.  God gave you stories, tell them!  You have added so much to my life!!!

4) For my parents who provided everything for me, loved me, supported me and protected me. Who gave me a blessing by raising me up on a farm where I could play outside, learn about hard work, where our food comes from, love Gods creation and appreciate all the things He provides.  For being completely crazy over your grandkids, and for being the Best Nana and Papa in the world! 

5) For grandparents who prayed for me, whipped me when I needed it, took me to church, made me peach cobblers, fixed my bikes, patted my back when I was sad, told me stories loved me unconditionally, and I know even though some of them are in Heaven they are still watching me.

6) For a little brother who had adventures with me, annoyed me, fought with me and loved me. A boy who became a cowboy preacher and whose spiritual walk has not only touched my life but countless children's as well. A man who had the good taste and sense to recognize a great woman when God sent her and marry her so I could get the most wonderful niece and nephew on the planet. You are the inspiration for so many characters in my stories - thank you!

7) For uncles and aunts who prayed for me, loved me, told momma when I was bad, gave me the MOST AMAZING cousins to play with, fight with, have adventures with, and get hurt with and made my childhood THE BEST!

8) For my church family past and present. For the people who, through Christ's blood alone have become my parents and grandparents, brothers and sisters. The ones who stepped up and treated us like their own when our own kin was far away, who loved us through moves, sick babies and minor catastrophes. For pastors who put up with us and Sunday school teachers who prayed for us. God knows we need that. For Sisters who cook and who laugh at my stories and who make me laugh. For our children's church group who have become like another family.
9) For my sister friends- the chicks in my life who love, pray for, encourage and inspire me. The girls who i can call on at anytime i need them and they're there. Dee, Dawn, Chick, Lily, Celina just to name a few.

10) For a Mom and Pop in love who love us and pray for us and  our children and for my husband's family who are almost as crazy as my own. For a Fiesty little Granny who played king of the mountain with the kids when they were babies, and for a PawPaw who pulled the kids around and around in a wagon in a south Georgia summer.  For the stories they still tell and the good times we had, and hope to have.  Love you guys.
So...   What are you thankful for? Is there anyone out there who wants to share?