Thanksgiving

Thank You for the blood of the Lamb by which I can come into Your presence.

Thank You for 32 Christmases with my mother, who was the best mother a person could have, and my first and longest best friend. Thank You for the gift of taking her on Christmas Day.

Thank You for the wonderful, terrible experience of having her in my own living room, caring for her to the best of my ability for eight months. Thank You for what that wrought in me and for me. Thank You that I have more of you today than I did before I went through it. Thank You that, while I fell short in so many ways, I went into it and came out of it praising Your name.

Thank You that eight months after You took my mother, You gave me a daughter: the daughter I asked for by name.

Thank You that she has such a sweet and cheerful temperament.

Thank You that nursing her is not only possible, but easy, just as I asked.

Thank You that You are making her a better sleeper than her brothers.

Thank You for the allergy elimination treatments, which You have provided for her to once again pull us out of a deep hole.

Thank You that You meet me where I am, and that You will not leave me where I am, but draw me ever further and deeper in Yourself.

Thank You for the wisest and best of fathers. Thank You that he lives close by and can be a regular part of our family. Thank You that I am closer to him, and know him better, than before You took my mother.

Thank You for my two sons, who are loving and lovable, intelligent, healthy and strong. Thank You that You are keeping their hearts soft and tender. Thank You that You show me little by little how to teach and train them and how to be a better mother.

Thank You that we are all walking in better health now than in years past.

Thank You for my husband, my best friend. Thank You that You have made him a prince among men: loving, gentle, strong, helpful and supportive, faithful, giving, observant and solicitous, patient, peaceable, slow to anger, wise, kind, always interested in me, fully vested in our children, and sold out to You.

Thank You for my mother-in-law, who loves each of us passionately, and who bends over backwards to help anyone in any way she can.

Thank You for my brother-in-law, and that You have marked him for Yourself.

Thank You for each one in our extended family.

Thank You for friends who love you.

Thank You that You are teaching me to pray.

Thank You for those who pray for me

Thank You that our lives are so comfortable, but not so comfortable that we do not have reason to cry to You.

Thank You that You are increasing my hunger for You, that You do not allow me to sit down satisfied, but stir me up and on.

Thank You that You do all things well.

Thank You that your blessings make rich, and You add no sorrow with them. Thank You for all of Your countless blessings in my life.