Most everything I blog about is an edited or expanded version of notes I keep in a couple little notebooks I always have on hand. Sometimes its an idea I've entertained for a long period of time in a notebook and then gets a rough draft here that sits for several weeks or several months. Off the top of my head I can only think of a couple of posts that went from concept to blog without sitting in Draft Purgatory for some amount of time. There are at least three sitting there right now waiting for me to purchase some indulgences.
But one thing I can write about without draft (and can't seem to sleep without writing about now) is the things I am thankful for.
I learned a lot about being thankful from people who have much less than you or I. Really those are the kind of people that are typically the most thankful. I mean, look at us Americans. We can wallow in our wealth and complain that we don't have enough. But those who have little are often hugely thankful for the little things. The Ukrainian people are the ones that taught me much about appreciating little things as well as the big ones. Though I have a lot to improve on I can remember some of those lessons from 18+ years ago. I learned to be thankful (and rightfully ashamed) for having enough clothes and possessions in my dorm to make a mess. The Ukrainian kids in our camp didn't. I learned to appreciate that the soles of my shoes still stuck to my shoes and that glue could hold them together when that no longer became the case, instead of throwing them out. A not so little thing learned was to appreciate the country God gave me and the value still of other countries and cultures.
It's good to be thankful for the things that make us uncomfortable, because they are God given opportunities to grow. I'm thankful that right now I find no real joy in working for my current employer. Yes, really. It's helping me to see some flaws in my character I would have been blind to otherwise. And it is helping me to work on my patience. And another place of employment. And it makes it even more fun working a part time job with some really fun people.
Its late and my list is endless so here is some things I would put into my "Big" things to be thankful for: My wife. It hasn't always been easy but its always been worth it. I couldn't ask God for anything better than spending my life with her. And yet He gave us something to be thankful for together too, our son Ethan. What a delight! I'm thankful for the roof over our heads and how it worked to live here. For my Dad and step mom, Aletha. They are an endless blessing and encouragement. For my in laws. Most people have horror stories for mother in laws. I don't. I'm glad Ethan will have good examples from both sets of grandparents.
I'm grateful for friends that let you borrow a vehicle for over a year and a half and think you have done them a favor. And I'm thankful that that vehicle was a Jeep Rubicon Unlimited. If you aren't a Jeep person that is the equivalent to handing the keys to your top of the line Mercedes over to somebody and saying "Take care of my car, I'll be gone awhile". Thanks Eric and Leah. We owe you, not the other way around.
I'm thankful for a son that says "Papa,hup" when he needs help.
Some small things, and these things are very small and unnecessary to living but that's an even better reason to thank God: I'm thankful for milk. I'm an adult but I like milk. Its the best beverage after a long day at work. Don't laugh. I'm thankful I can read. And for good, really good books. Campfires in the cold. And cigars to smoke. And whiskey to share with friends. I'm thankful I can blog from a "notebook" and not a phone anymore. In any list of thanks I'm thankful for my Jeep. Many guys have had to sell their "dream car" to be responsible men. They are good men. I have been fortunate that no one wanted mine when it was for sale. Hopefully it will be Ethan's someday.
We have so much to be thankful for in this country. We need to exercise our thankfulness while we have so much to be thankful for because we are coming into an age where those things will be harder to find. Always give thanks to God.
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