Thankful

It may seem a little cliche to be writing about thankfulness on Thanksgiving. As we sit in some Southern California traffic. Making our way to see family and break bread and spend some much needed time together.

But, you see, I have been pondering the word “thankful”. Letting it tumble around in my head and heart and thoughts for awhile now. This blog post, even, sitting empty with only the title on the stark white of the computer screen. And every time I went to write. To type out the letters, making the words of my heart. I stared at the blinking cursor. Breathing in and out all the letters. All the words. All the things. All I am thankful for.

Until today. Driving home from a crisp morning run. Where instead of breaking bread, we broke conversation and laughs and sweat. My thoughts and words and thanks all came together, sipping a peppermint mocha on the post rain glistening freeway.

And with flashes. People crossed my mind like a movie. Tied. Connected to thankfulness. Because for a relational girl like me, people impact me the most.

I am thankful for…

A God who sees me. El Roi. The God who sees. Who has always and will always see me and know me and call me Beloved and Chosen.

A husband who day after day puts his family first and is the most unselfish person I know. Who has so much patience with me.

A daughter who is so wise beyond her years. Wearing her heart on her sleeve and leading with a servant’s heart. And using her talents for the kingdom.

A son who senses so many things and is also so very wise beyond his years. Uniquely different than his sister. With a humor that always has us laughing. And a mind that understands things that I never will.

A tribe of friends, of women, who share joy and pain and prayers in a vulnerable way. Who teach me, daily, how to be the best me. And remind me that scars and brokenness are truly gifts we all have and can be used by the One who heals.

A family, born into and married into and blessed into, who love in spite of time apart and mistakes made.

So, though I am thankful today. And the day after. I need. I must. Keep this heart of thankfulness every day of the year. Because thankfulness, keeping a focus on thanks, helps fight all the other things that come to steal and stumble.

And a heart purposed on giving thanks, stands strong and secure.