setting a standard: day two

Day two is already a big challenge! My thankful heart hasn't been exercised in a while, I guess.

The tension that I'm arriving at each time I propose a possibility to myself is that there are some standard things that people (who have such things to be thankful for) are thankful for. I have to ask myself if my thankfulness for these things is truly from a thankful heart or if its from knowing I just got lucky to be put where I am. Things like a place to live, stuff to eat, people who love me, Jesus. . . you know. I think there are some moments and days when thankfulness for these things hits us and we see them in a new way. Sometimes it comes from a contrast with people who don't have these things. Sometimes it's just the Holy Spirit revealing to us a lack of gratefulness for what His grace has provided.

So today is my 'it's a given' day. That way I can just make it clear to my vast audience that my not mentioning these things throughout the next 15 days is not because I am not thankful for them, but simply because other things tickled my thankful heart on that particular day.

1. My family! We're an odd bunch, but we're pretty great.

2. A good education that will allow me to do many different things in my lifetime.

3. A community of people who love me and encourage me to grow and develop as a person.

4. A car that runs well. . . and it's kind of cute too!

5. A house to live in. With a bed and fresh paint and a closet.

6. For Jesus and His sacrifice. And for my relationship with Him. It's always what keeps me going.

7. Food to eat and a job to keep me above water, so to speak.

8. For friends who laugh and cry with me. Can't wait to find more and grow with those I already love.