"I thank God for this day. . ."

Just to go off on a tangent for a minute. . .
One of the devotionals that I use to help me snatch that minute or two alone with God is by Lisa Whelchel called Speaking mom-ese. (I highly recommend anything by her, btw).

In a recent entry, she talked about giving thanks to God in all things and that she likes to make a "What I'm thankful for" list every so often. So I thought I'd randomly list some of the things I'm thankful for. And maybe you'll share some of yours with me.

I'm thankful to have air conditioning when it already 96* in the first week of June. And I'm thankful to have a good friend whose son can repair it when it breaks.
I'm thankful to have gotten an economic stimulus check that we used to buy the new refrigerator that I'm thankful for b/c it has crushed ice and filtered water in the door.
I'm thankful for the two wild puppies that live in my backyard and always make me smile.
I'm thankful for the two big dogs who have finally learned to obey the command "sit" b/c the puppies get treats when they sit.
I'm thankful for my picnic table and chairs on my back porch where I can escape and sit and "be still" if only for a second until my kids find me.
I'm thankful for John's self-sufficiency and his desire to look after himself. And I'm thankful that he doesn't always want to.
I'm thankful for the story of the three little pigs that all of my children love to hear me tell.
I'm thankful that Sarah only cut off her bangs and not the back of her hair yesterday.
I'm thankful that Sarah's asthma has gotten so much better.
I'm thankful for Sarah's helping spirit and infectious laugh.
I'm thankful for Bethany's eagerness to learn everything and do everything right now, but her wariness of things that are new.
I'm thankful for Bethany's blue eyes and squinty face grins.
I'm thankful for the way Chris can always make me laugh, even when I really don't want to.
I'm thankful for bubble baths.
I'm thankful for crossword puzzle books.
I'm thankful that the library doesn't require you pay your fine until it gets to $20.
I'm thankful for a new job with people I love, doing things I love and am good at. And I'm thankful that it's only part time and doesn't keep me from spending lots of time with my children.
I'm thankful that my kids think it's cool that I have my own email address and desk and computer and voice mail at work.
I'm thankful for Staci Jackson and Ian who have become dear friends to us in such a short time.
I'm thankful for Awanas which allowed me the chance to develop friendships with people I never really knew and am so glad that I do now.
I'm thankful for God's gentle reminders of His love and His plan.
I'm thankful for my computer, because some of my best friends really do live in it.
I'm thankful for doctors and medications that make my life easier.
I'm thankful for my mother-in-law who is willing and able to look after my children so I can work in the area God has put me.
I'm thankful for my parents who taught me a great deal of what I know and need to know to be successful in my work with the children's ministry.
I'm thankful for a children's director and nursery director and youth pastor who have such a strong desire to fulfill the great commission with every infant/child/youth they come across.
I'm thankful for Horton the Elephant who said "A person's a person, no matter how small."
I'm thankful for the promise that God will not withhold any good thing from those who love and serve Him.
I'm thankful for blow up pools and slip and slides.
I'm thankful for chocolate.
I'm thankful for sweet tea.
I'm thankful for bubbles and sidewalk chalk. For butterflies and birds and lizards and crickets and lightning bugs.
I'm thankful for fly swatters and ant killer.
I'm thankful for Enchanted Orchid body butter from Bath and Body Works.
I'm thankful for Blogger for having this forum.
I'm thankful for you for reading it, especially if you read the whole thing.
And I'm thankful that I still have more I'm thankful for.

1Ch 16:34
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever