Take the Challenge!

In a few days, we will be stuffing ourselves with turkey, dressing, and pecan pie. Every year I tell myself..."Next year I am going to make a list of the things that I am thankful for." Every year I wonder why I didn't make a list of things to thank God for blessing me with. Perhaps it is because I am afraid that I will leave something out. Or maybe, I don't create a list because I am embarassed of the things that I am thankful for (dark chocolate would definitely be on the list). Most likely, I resist making a list of things that I am thankful for because it would take away many of my reasons to do one of the most natural human things... complain!

Do you ever find yourself complaining about the economy, gas prices, the OTHER political party, grocery prices... the list can go on and on until it gets personal. Oh, yes, we seem to complain about our spouses, the kids, being too busy, being bored, and my favorite choice of complaint, being tired! The list goes on and on. And yet, I am more blessed than I ever deserve. It is only by the undeserving mercy of Christ that I have the things that I do and that I have the opportunity to enjoy the simplest things in life, including dark chocolate.

God's Word tells us this:

"But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been greed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness." ~Romans 6:17-18

"Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods." ~Psalm 95:2-3

"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Thy name, O most High..."
~Psalm 92:1

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let you requests be made known to God." ~Philippians 4:6

"I shall wash my hands in innocence, and I will go about Thine altar, O Lord, that I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, and declare all Thy wonders." ~Psalm 26:6-7

It is clear that we should be giving thanks and not complaining. So here is the challenge to myself and to you: between now and Thanksgiving, make a list of at least 100 things that you are thankful for. Simple, yes. I imagine that if we all attempt it, we will find that we will quickly surpass 100 and be well on our way to several hundreds of things that we can be thankful for. Don't get to worried about whether something is "important" enough to be included. Number 1 on my list is salvation, next will be my husband, children, and family. I will name each one. But, I am sure, the simple pleasure of dark chocolate will also be on my list, as well as, birds singing, sunrises, and cell phones. Do you see where this may lead? We may have so many things to be thankful for that we forget how to complain... or at least make it not the first reaction in our life! My hope is that I will be so busy giving thanks to God, that I will notice fewer things for my complaining.

So, get your lists started! I would love to see what is on your list. You may add your list to the comments section on the blog, email them to me, or post them on facebook. Look out for my list...I have already started it! I hope the bug of giving thanks spreads!

Take the challenge! Give thanks!



Mylist begins:
1. Salvation from my sin

2. Jamie- my sweet husband... oh, how I love this man! I am so thankful that God designed us for each other before time began!

3. Jake and Nati Grace and the understanding of how much my mother loves me!

4. Mother and Daddy

5. Jamie's Mom and Dad

6. Marty- the greatest brother

7. Deena- for putting up with the greatest brother

8. Chad and Emily

9. Nephew and Nieces- Lee, Ashlyn, Lindsey, Olivia, Payden

10.Friends- God has been gracious enough to me to grant me close girlfriends, usually when I wasn't even looking for them. No matter my stage in life, whether it be childhood, highschool, college, seminary days, or simply in life, God has made sure that I go very little time without a close friend that I can laugh, smile, tease, and cry with. I don't have to name names... you know who you are.

11. knowing and spending time with all 4 of my grandparents- I recognize that not everyone has the opportunity to have cherished memories of even 1 grandparent much less all 4!

12. Chuck and Ann Stewart

13. King Spring Baptist Church

14. God's Word

15. Friends- lots of them... I am undeserving and yet you choose to laugh with me and I am thankful that I get to laugh with you! So many memories....

16. apples

17. fuzzy house slippers

18. Jake's jokes

19. laughing

20. boat rides

21. Marietta Baptist Camp

22. Nurse Susan

23. manicures

24. pedicures

25. dark chocolate---hmmm... I think I need a piece. I think dark chocolate is proof that I have far beyond my needs... I just thankful that God chooses to give me some of my desires as well! :)

26. singing birds

27. AWANA

28. Worship Band at KSBC

29. Bible Study-- that I have a Bible, the tools to learn from it, and that God gives me the desire despite my human nature.

30. roses

31. cameras

32. memories

33. photographs

34. mashed potatoes

35. milkshakes

36. macaroni and cheese

37. clean water to drink and bathe

38. antibiotics

39. Nati Grace's pictures of people

40. Jake's imagination

41. books

42. education

43. Georgia Baptist Ministers' Wives

44. handwritten letters in the mail!!!!

45. Christmas cards

46. puppies

47. bunnies

48. email

49. Autumn leaves

50. cars

------- I am halfway there and I have just begun of things that I can be thankful for. Some may sound silly to you, but I am willing to thank God for the little things. I know that He is interested in the details of my life... I need to be willing to thank Him for the details! How is your list looking?

51. being able to watch Jamie watch sports- he loves it sooo much!

52. that my husband is my pastor-- he is such an amazing preacher and leader

53. seeing my daughter dress up like a princess

54. Jake's Little League Baseball Games

55. walking on the beach

56. babies

God's:
57. righteousness

58. grace

59. mercy

60. lovingkindness

61. compassion

62. truth

63. faithfulness

64. discipline

65. instruction

66. omnipresence

67. omniscience

68. omnipotence

69. I am so very thankful that the character of God does not change. Even as I sit and reflect on His character, it would be of no worth if he was a God that changeable!

70. cozy pajamas

71. campfires

72. dates

73. birthdays

74. pictures that my children draw for me

75. funny movies

76. playing games with friends

77. my house

78. Nati Grace liking dresses... and hairbows!

79. marriage

80. rest and sleep

81. buttermilk pie

82. being an American

83. American soldiers

84. Dogwoods in bloom

85. sweet tea

86. North Greenville University

87. Contemporary Christian Music

88. Southern Baptist Convention

89. water tubing

90. air conditioning/ heat

91. indoor plumbing!!!

92. candles

93. that God allows me to sing for Him

94. reading to my kids

95. hearing Jake and Nati Grace say their prayers every night!

96. time spent with my husband

97. blue jeans

98. tears of joy

99. nose kisses

100. the promise that God has a plan for me and that He has promised me an abundant life!