Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind,  for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107:8-9  I am a 30-year-old gal with an amazing husband and precious son. Our family lives our days in a yellow house on an acre of land where we sleep and eat and laugh til our sides hurt. We have multiple cars, sufficient incomes, good health, closets full of clothes, and clean water. I exercise in the morning, fill mason jars with flowers at noonday, and wash dishes in a sudsy sink in the evening. The people around us, friends and neighbors, are kind and giving. 

This life overflows with blessed. 

Our needs are met and the extras are abundant. 

But I don't always see what's right in front of me. 

Sometimes I take things for granted. 

It can become dangerously easy to do that when days are carrying on so smoothly, but nothing should be left off of my daily thank you list. The bird's morning song, the weight of a sleepy head on my shoulder, the encouraging text exchange with a friend. 

The love of family, the beat of my heart, the hand I am holding. 

The God who loves, redeems, forgives, and provides. 

I want to live a life of constant gratitude, to breathe out steady thanks for the gifts I am handed each day. 

To help with this, I write blessings down on paper. Scribbled in the corner of the weekly church bulletin, the back of a coloring page, my calendar, I pen at least three things to be intentional about truly seeing. I write the words and let them linger. When I look at God's grace and goodness straight on with wide eyed wonder, my heart swells, overwhelmed with thankfulness. 

My response to His Love is praise. 

For today, I wrote out these three gifts :: 

Josh. 8 years ago this week, he took me as he bride. He is my best friend, my encourager, and my leader. Josh gets a front row seat to my highs and lows and, through it all, loves me so well. His thoughtfulness, energetic spirit, and heart for Jesus make me smile. 

My country. This country offers, among many rights, the freedom to worship in the church of my choosing and read my Bible anywhere I please. The brave who fight to preserve those precious freedoms and to protect us deserve the utmost respect! I'm so very proud of the family and friends I have who serve in the US military. 

My parents are living and healthy. Their home is on the other side of Lake Michigan, but they are always just a phone call away. My folks are incredible examples of humble, faithful, joyful Christian servants. They are two of my dearest friends. 

Dear Jesus, thank you for showering me daily with your gifts even though I don't deserve them. Open my eyes to each and every blessing. I don't want to miss a thing! For in everything, you are there. My thanks and praise belongs to you alone.

 

What are three things your heart is grateful for today, friends?