With Thanksgiving just hours away, I remembered that years ago, when I was a sophomore in college, I wrote a list of things I should be thankful for. I was going through a hard time, and I needed to do something to give myself some perspective. I carried the list around with me for years, and added to it. A lot of the items are situational and wouldn’t make sense to you, but most of them are timeless and still apply. I rummaged the list up and would like to share some of it with you.

Things to be thankful for:

• My hopes and dreams – even the fact that I have them
• My voice
• My brothers and I turned out the way we did, and that we are friends
• I was raised in a Christian home
• I am a daughter of God
• I have access to resources (money, food, etc.)
• I am athletic and somewhat talented at a sport I love
• Musical influences and songs that impact me
• God can provide fulfillment in seemingly meaningless things
• My intellect
• Nice weather
• I am convicted of my sins and have a strong conscience
• It is a joyful thing to worship God
• My parents love me so much
• My education
• God’s word is available to me
• God is who He is
• Simple pleasures such as eating, sleeping, sneezing, hot water
• Health
• When God makes things happen that need to happen, even I’m too stubborn to do it
• Friends who are completely real with me
• Suffering (helps me grow)
• New friends whose hearts are in the same place as mine

Of course now I have to add some more things:

• My handsome, loyal, intelligent, loving, sensitive, and compassionate husband David
• Our home
• Our families are friends with each other and all live nearby
• Our dogs Cleo and Eddie, who I never get tired of petting
• The wonders of the Internet and how it enables me to stay in touch with dear friends and make new ones
• A challenging and fulfilling vocation
• Books, books, books
• My church family

Once you get going listing all the things you have to be thankful for, it’s hard to stop. It’s overwhelming to be so blessed. But even if I lost everything, I’d still be grateful, because I have God. With him, the best is always yet to come, and that kind of hope is priceless.