Each year at Thanksgiving our family has a sharing time  to discuss  all that we we are thankful for.  We are required to just name one thing.  Sometimes we write this down to share with each other after dinner, sometimes we discuss it before dinner.  When I’m put on the spot I struggle to come up with just the right thing.  The truth is my heart is so very filled with gratitude.  Where do I begin?

I’m Thankful most of all for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Without His sacrifice on the cross, I would have no hope or future.  My life here on this earth would be empty and meaningless. He took the punishment for my sins and the sins of the whole world…. that really belonged to me. I have broken all of his commandments and have nothing to offer Him that can contribute anything to my salvation and hope of heaven.   The hymn “Just as I am” says it all for me.  Just as I am without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me.  And that thou biddest me come to thee O lamb of God I come….I come. If I own nothing else in this world except the eternal life He has given me, I am overwhelmed and filled with awe and gratitude.  There are no words that I can offer him that can adequately express my JOY!  To God be Glory, To God be the Glory, To God be the Glory for the things he has done.

I am thankful for the Holy Bible. When I want comfort or direction…when I need to find and answer to a difficult question….when I need to hear from my Savior, I have His word that I can read. There is so much in the Bible that reveals the character and nature of my Lord.  It is my compass and my guidebook.  It is my measuring rod in this very mixed up world.

I am thankful for my husband. God has blessed me with a man who has a servants heart.  He is a loving, kind, and a devoted father who adores his children. He is tender- hearted, affectionate;  yet strong.  He has been unwavering in his devotion and loyalty  me and our children…he has faithfully provided for us.  He has been a protector and guardian of our home and family for for over 27 years.  I am so blessed and grateful for a dear husband to share this journey on earth with.

I am thankful for my children. God has blessed us with two wonderful children.  We thoroughly enjoy them and love spending our days with them.  We lived in a home without children for many years and when we finally became parents our joy was complete.  They keep us laughing and praying.  They make our home a joyful place to be.  Homeschooling them has been a delight.  Indeed children are a blessing from the Lord!

I’m thankful for my Mother-In-Law. I rarely call her my mother- in- law because she has been like a mother to me.  She is my helper, a mentor,  and a friend.  She is a wonderful grandmother and is adored by her grandchildren.  She has a servants heart  and whatever task she is working on,  she does it with all her might.  We are truly blessed!

I am thankful for an old friend. I have a friend of 33 years who is a kindred spirit.  She is the first one I call if I’ve had a hard day or if I want to share some good news.  She has been my homeschool mentor and confidant.  We were cut from the same cloth for sure and our friendship has lasted through so many difficult seasons.  God knew that I would need a friend like her to travel life’s journey with.  I am blessed!

I am thankful for my precious nieces and nephews. They are a joy and delight to my husband and I.  Before we had children of our own,  our nieces and nephews filled the empty spot in our hearts that longed for children.  Our nieces and nephews brought us laughter and joy.  I will always treasure them and the happy memories we made together.

I am thankful for siblings. God gave me 2 sisters and 2 brothers.  When we are able to get together there is laughter and joy all around!  My siblings have been a comfort to me and I treasure them.  When our family has faced illnesses or other difficult trials, my siblings are always there to offer support.  I am blessed!

I am thankful for the privilege of living in a free country that was built upon Godly principles. I thank God for the brave men and women who sacrificed their own lives in order to establish a country which recognizes that our liberties are unalienable…given by God and not by men.

I am thankful for homeschooling! Homeschooling my children has been one of the most rewarding and wonderful experiences of my life.  There is nothing in this world I’d rather be doing than loving and mentoring my children.

I’m thankful for my parents. My parents are with the Lord now and although they are not with us this thanksgiving, my heart is full of wonderful memories of them.  I can’t call my Mom this year and ask her how she made her stuffing,  but I know I will see her again one day, and know she is worshiping at the feet of her savior with no more aches and pains.  I miss my Daddy’s laughter.  I’ve never heard anyone laugh as enthusiastically as He did.  He made everything fun….. even having a bowl of ice-cream seemed like a party.  I will love to look in his blue eyes again one day.

There are so many more things that I am thankful for.  One day I should sit down and list them all.  God has been so good to me.  He’s given me Christian friends and a church to go to that sings the old time hymns!  He’s given me a cozy home and good food and warm clothes to wear.   Great is his faithfulness!  I hope you enjoyed reading my list…perhaps you can write one up as well.  What are you thankful for this year? Blessings,  Anne