I am a firm believer in being thankful all year round. Andy Stanley says unexpressed gratitude comes across as ingratitude. I don’t think any of us want to be labeled as ungrateful.

Here is a little list of things I am incredibly grateful for this holiday season; especially on this 22nd day in November, which just so happens to be Thanksgiving Day.

1. My family. My sweet, fun, unified family. I think so often of how we each share our stories in our small groups, and how I am shaping my children’s stories right now. When the time comes, I want them to sit in a circle and tell about a childhood of love and happiness, perhaps some pains and misfortunes, but how their everydays were pointed toward the Lord and His undying love for them.

2. My country. What a wonderful, vibrant country we live in. A country where freedom rings. I pray it always remains that way.

3. My health and the health of my family. God is good. This year I have seen God heal my uncle from cancer; bring preemie babies that medically didn’t have any chance of living to a state of not only survival, but thriving; and my own sweet boys have made it through another year with nothing more than a head cold. Praise Him!

4. Music. Music is such an anchor in our family. We have spent numerous hours of this year singing, dancing, and banging drums. We have worshiped, celebrated, and healed through music. From silly to symphony, music is always surrounding us.

5. I’m thankful for coffee. Oh sweet coffee. Sweet, strong coffee.

6. I’m thankful for all of the kneading the Lord has done in my heart his year. He’s softened it, prodded it, and refreshed it. He’s taught me new things, and has better conformed me to the girl he’s called me to be.

7. Film. Literature. I am such a dreamer and often become dissatisfied with my everyday surroundings. Being able to escape into other worlds or live other lives vicariously through great heroes and heroines, be it through pages of a book or scenes of a movie, brings me much joy and refreshes my spirit. It may also send me into an afternoon of song and dance, or an hour of talking in an accent. My wonderful hubby has learned to cope with my strange ways.

8. TMC and DVR. Read above. Enough said.

9. A high metabolism. I just love terrible, fattening, gloriously tasty foods. This may or may not have anything to do with the fact that Thanksgiving is very high on my favorite holidays list.

10. Okay, fine. I’m kinda, sorta, really thankful for Walt Disney World and all of the wonderful memories we’ve made there.

Thank you, Lord for this sweet Thanksgiving Day. Thank you for Macy’s Parades and yummy turkeys, warm homes and fun times with family we love. Thank you, also, for your son, Jesus; that though we rejoice in these wonderful days, they are only a tiny taste of the life you have prepared for us in the Kingdom of Heaven; where we will be made whole, and wholly reside in You. Make us fully aware and ever thankful of all you have blessed us with until that day arrives. Amen.

With love, Malorie