WHY I'M GRATEFUL

You might have noticed I haven’t blogged in a while. It’s mostly because I’ve been busy with the end of the semester. It’s also because what’s on my mind lately doesn’t fit neatly in online-diary format, and I don’t really want it to. But as I sat in front of my laptop struggling to focus on a paper I’ve been working on for far too long, I knew I needed to do something therapeutic to clear my head of all thoughts distracting. That’s when I decided to write this entry. It’s kind of a reflection on the many blessings in my life. I Thessalonians 5: 16-18 says, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” Reflecting puts things in perspective; it humbles you, and makes you feel grateful despite the gripes you may have about life. I’m especially touched when people who have lost seemingly everything—their families, jobs, homes—can still say, “I’m grateful I’m alive.”

Would I say that?

I guess that isn’t a question I have to answer, at least not at the moment, because far more good is going on than bad. I guess I can even be grateful for the chance to write a 25-page paper for a class I really haven’t enjoyed, because it’s a just another task—another class—that’s going to help me get a degree that I know God will use in big ways. The following is an (incomplete) list of things I’m grateful for, expressed by a True Sap (with only five minutes of break time left)…

1. God’s goodness
• In a passage: Psalm 103.

2. Laughter
• It’s good medicine.

3. Sunshine
• It brightens my day. No joke.

4. Special People
• You know, friends, family, mentors and more…

5. Dreams
• They give goals life.

6. Good Food
• It stops me from complaining.

7. Passion
• It makes me put everything I have into…everything.

8. Education
• It's given me a chance.

9. Transportation
• Even though mine’s not the custom-made Volvo C70 I'll eventually own…

10. Things Unspoken
• In time, they’ll have a voice….

And now, the only way to end this entry...Call it tacky, but I can't resist: What are YOU thankful for?