Gratitude List

 Be grateful for the good things that the Lord your God has given you and your family Deut. 26:11a (GNT)

I have heard it said that being grateful is magic. You can change your life by being thankful for all that you have. Miraculous things can happen when you look at your life in a different light. Counting your blessings is a way to make things happen in your life. Okay, that last one may just be what I hope can happen. No matter what it can’t hurt to change your perspective and thank God for all that we have.

I am grateful for:                     A:  Austin-it’s beauty, the weather, the thriving economy

                                                B: Birds-I love to watch them come to our bird feeder

                                                C: Church-Riverbend has been our home for 17 years now

                                                D: Dance and the lessons it has taught all of us

                                                E: the Earth-pulling weeds and digging in the dirt is fun!

                                                F: Family-Steve, Grace, Claire, Henry and our extended family

                                                G: God’s grace-He gives me more than I deserve

                                                H: Health-mine and my families’

                                                I: Insights-Awareness is half the battle

                                                J: Jesus Christ, who died on the cross to take away my sins

                                                K: Kissing my people ;)

                                                L: Laughter especially belly laughs

                                                M: Music-especially singing and worshipping with others

                                                N: Natural remedies-I have cured lots of ailments with tea tree & vinegar

                                                O: Olive Oil-It’s essential since I don’t eat corn, soy or peanut

                                                P: People-church people, ballet people, program people, employers, etc

                                                Q: Quiet time-I love early mornings before the patter of “little” feet

                                                R: Rain-we always need it here in Texas

                                                S: Sunshine!! I love the light and warmth

                                                T: Twelve Step programs-they saved my life and continue to help me live

                                                U: Uncomfortable situation so I can grow and lean into God

                                                V: Verses-memorized ones that come to mind in times of need

                                                W: Windows to look through and see all of God’s creations

                                                X: eXercise-especially swimming! I am a fish!

                                                Y: Years of sobriety and recovery

                                                Z: AmaZing love! God’s love is never-ending, never-failing and always forgiving

Wow! Actually, this turned out to be fairly easy and fun. Here’s a tip-don’t feel like you have to be grateful for the thing all the time. Like sometimes I’m not grateful for rain- especially when we’re supposed to have a pool party. I hope you will try this exercise in expressing thanks to God for all that you have. No matter what, there are things to be grateful for. Let me know how it was for you. Feel free to share it with me. I want to know what you’re grateful for.