Thanksgiving - the Logical Side

Although emotionally I don't feel appreciative and thankful, logically, I still know that I have a lot to be thankful for. Here's just a partial list:

1. I know I'm saved for all eternity because of the sacrifice Jesus made in my place to pay the penalty for all the sins I've ever committed, as well as those I will commit in the future. My sentence for what I've done has been paid by Him and because of that, I will spend eternity with Jesus instead of suffering.

2. #1 is available for every single person on earth, and I'll get to see my husband, children, and other loved ones in Heaven for all time (those who accept Jesus' gift and sacrifice and chose to let Him be Lord of their lives.)

3. In spite of recent health issues, I'm still relatively healthy compared to so many other people. Cancer is everywhere - especially in my family - so not having been diagnosed with any as of yet is a reason to be thankful.

4. I have been married to the same man for almost 20 years, practically unheard of these days. It's not always easy, and there have been times in the past when I wanted to call it quits, but we got through those times, and even at his worst, Tim is still better than so many others out there. I know that some days I wonder which is easier, being married or being single again with no one to answer to, and the answer is always the same - married to Tim is better, and deep-down, I know we'll be together forever.

5. I have 3 great kids. Being cooped up in the same house 24/7 with no money to do anything fun together is so hard most of the time, but all 3 are teenagers, none smoke, drink, take drugs, or choose to make really bad decisions. I'm blessed to have such wonderful kids, and I accept them where they're at today.

6. It's been hard accepting help from the state to supplement our grocery bill, it's something I never planned on having to do as an adult, but I'm very thankful for the opportunity to feed my family and not watch them go hungry. I try to be the very best steward of the limited resources we do have, spending as little as possible without any waste. I'm thankful we can eat 3 meals a day, and have snacks, when so many right here in Concho can't.

7. Even though it's hard living with my husband's parents, and always having reminders that it's not our house, I am thankful we have a place to live. I still resent Tim making us 3 (us 2 plus Adam) quit 3 good-paying jobs to move here where there's no jobs, no money, no opportunity, and a huge drug problem - I am thankful we live indoors, it's a home with lots of space, and we have wood and heaters to keep warm this winter. We may not have anywhere to go to get some privacy or quiet alone time, but we have lots of square feet to spread out. It beats living in a 1000 sf trailer out here like most families are doing.

8. Although I doubt I'll ever find a church home like Mountain Valley again, I am happy we're at First Baptist in Show Low. There's people similar to our age, they're friendly, there's at least some kind of youth group, we do fun activities every few months, the messages are thought-provoking, but most of all - the Sunday School (and Wed. night studies) bring about real change. They are helping me grow to be more Christ-like, so I am happy for that.

9. Tim has a job. It may not be 40 hours, nor enough to live on, but it's something. We'll be able to keep our auto insurance, phones, and put gas in the car to go to church and grocery shopping. It isn't much, in fact it's the least we've ever lived on, but it beats being unemployed - like so many are having to deal with - especially now around Christmas.

10. I see so many people dealing with tragedies, loss of a loved one, losing a child unexpectedly, losing a spouse, watching relatives suffering with cancer, and so much more. I'm thankful that our family hasn't had to endure such horrific tragedies. We're not better or more special than any other family, so to have been spared things like this, that makes us blessed, and for that, I am truly thankful.

- perhaps in the next few days, I'll list off other little things to be thankful for - and maybe, just maybe, if I make it a daily attitude, the feelings of thankfulness and being content where I'm at will overcome the depression and resentment that I'm trying so hard to get rid of. I'm not perfect, just human, trying to get better every day. I'm not there yet, but at least I'm in the process and moving forward.