Blessed

I think its kinda dumb that we feel it only necessary to be thankful on Thanksgiving. Shouldn't we be grateful everyday. I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir here, but we all need to be reminded, myself included. What happened to being content with everything we have everyday, instead of compensation for a year's worth of thankfulness at the Thanksgiving dinner table? 

For the first time every this year, we didn't talk about what we were thankful for at dinner. It caught me off guard, and it left me feeling discontent. As I laid in bed last night, I wondered how we had missed that tradition this year and it made me sad that I didn't get to share my thankfulness with my family. But it got me thinking that maybe I should start sharing that with them everyday. What is the significance of only sharing life's little blessings on the 4th Thursday in November? 

I don't think that's right. So I checked the Bible to make sure. 

"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 

"That my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever."

Psalm 30:12

"Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Ephesians 5:20

To my surprise the phrase "only give thanks on Thanksgiving day" was no where to be found.. Either was "only give thanks around a dinner table with turkey on it." Instead I found things like 'Be thankful in all circumstances' or 'Always giving thanks.' Not sometimes, not only on Thanksgiving day but 'always' and 'in all circumstances.' 

Why is this so hard for us? Because we are spoiled, self-absorbed humans who have little sense of selflessness or gratefulness; probably.. We need to remember to be thankful daily. I could go father to say: hourly, by the minute, by the second. Now does anyone really think they are going to think of something thing they are grateful for every second, of course not. But it's the mentality. If we strive to be thankful in every instance of our life, we will become more selfless, more grateful, more understanding, more open, and closer to a image of Christ himself. I know that's what I want. 

I thought a little deeper this year about what I'm grateful for. They aren't as broad as usual: family, friends, a house, food. It's the little tiny things that I am overwhelmed with thankfulness for, each and every day.  The things that might not matter to some people, but mean the world to me. 

I am thankful for random hugs from my little brother and sister. 

I am thankful for friends who don't give up on me. Who have stuck by my side through my tantrums, rants, nagging, flaking, rudeness, selfishness, and forgetfulness. 

I am thankful for chocolate.

I am thankful for my parents supporting me when I mess up. (Financially and mentally)

I am thankful for my job. How flexible it is, my pay, and my boss. 

I am thankful for hot running water. 

I am thankful for my freedom. That I live in a country where I can love my God openly and freely. I am a free person, who can vote and make my own choices.

I am thankful for free will. I am thankful that God has given me the choice to make my own decisions and mess up when I need to learn.

I am thankful that I get to go to college. That I can learn, because I want to. And that God has provided a way for me pay for it. 

I am thankful for my Daddy's hugs.

I am thankful for my Mom's loving words.

I am thankful for laughter. I am thankful for joy. 

I am thankful for my legs. That when I wake up in the morning I can walk, dance, jump, leap, tap dance and move. 

I am thankful for my eyes that I can see the beautiful creation around me.

I am thankful for the internet, cause with out it.. you wouldn't be reading this.. and a go on Facebook, or email, or pinterest, or... 

I am thankful for shoes and not just because they are cute. 

I am thankful for taste-buds.

I am thankful for love. That I can feel love, be loved,  love others and be love by God. 

I am thankful for warm blankies. 

I am thankful for the ability to give.

I am thankful for worship.

I am thankful for ovens. 

I am thankful  that my Mom is alive. And that the Lord saved her. 

I am thankful for cameras. So I can relive every happy and sad moment. 

I am thankful for every single person who has walked in and out of my life in the past 19 years. They have molded me into the person I am today. Whether they made a good or bad impact on my life, I am blessed to have them walk in my life. 

The list goes on and on. I challenge you each day, as I will be challenging myself, to give thanks to the God who provides all these things to you. You bless him with your praise and adoration, and he will bless you right back. 

Grateful as ever,

Jasmine