Thankful Thursdays

Yes, I'm late in posting this. But I have a good excuse reason. I had it all typed up on my phone, pushed "send"...and never saw it again. However, since this post is on thankfulness, I'm not going to go on about my phone troubles, but reminisce on those things in life for which I am grateful.

31. Rise-only cycles on dishwashers. Call me crazy, but I have this preference for washing dishes by hand and sticking 'em in the dishwasher to rinse. To me, it seems to most economical use of water, but I could be wrong. The only downside is no heat-dry. ;-)

32. The CHEA choir concerts. Twice a year, it gives me opportunities to see friends I wouldn't get to see otherwise, and enjoy some delightful music.

33. Access to clean water. Not everyone has this luxury, and I am thankful for the easiness we have in America of being able to satisfy our thirst with clean, fresh water.

34. My own, personal Bible. I can only imagine what it must be like to only be able to have a page or two of this precious book, knowing that I could be arrested if authorities found it in my possession. I pray for these brothers and sisters in Christ who daily experience such suffering as us American can often only imagine.

35. Internet access. When our connection was down for most of the day, it was easy to see how it can be taken for granted (esp. with important emails and documents coming through!). It is a blessing, indeed, to be able to have such a resource at our fingertips where we can so easily share information.

36. Thanksgiving. I enjoy Thanksgiving Day. For several years at least, I have been in charge of the Thanksgiving meals. I love to bake and cook food for my family to enjoy. To me, Thanksgiving hasn't had that sickening commercialism that has been directed at Christmas and Easter (well, at least not as much...). It is a time to spend in enjoying my family's company and good food. Not that we aren't to be thankful year-round, but having a specific day helps remind us to take nothing for granted.

37. Sewing machines. I can't imagine the hours that must have been spent in previous centuries slaving away with needle and thread!

38. Debates and discussions. Listening to 'em is almost as fun as being a part of one. I usually have some sort of opinion on most things (someone usually starts laughing when I say I don't have an opinion on the matter ;-), so I like to discuss different topics with my family and those of my friends who have a mutual appreciation for such things.

39. Online copies of sermons. Yes, I enjoy listening to sermons. Depending on the mood I'm in or what I'm doing, I tend to listen to a fifty-fifty mix of sermons and music. My favorite pastor, unfortunately, hasn't had his sermon page updated in quite a while. But, several of his sermons were uploaded the other day so I've been immensely enjoying some more recent sermons of his. Hopefully more will follow.

40. Normal days. Those days where nothing out of the ordinary seems to happen. Why? Because it makes those extraordinary days that much more special. If something amazing and awesome (in the true sense of the word) happened everyday, would we not be dulled to a sense of wonder? It is out of those plain, ordinary days that our special days, the holy days, stick out. Sundays, Christmases, Thanksgivings...they are that much more special for not happening everyday.

There's my ten for the week. Your turn! :-)

Shalom,