Give Thanks.

I suppose it is natural at this time of year, with all the emphasis on Thanksgiving, to look at our own lives and appreciate what we have.  In doing this I have realized that I have so much to be thankful for.  I'm pretty sure that's the realization everyone comes to on this mid-October weekend each year. We look back and think about all the things we have and completely don't deserve, we toss a quick "thanks" up there and then carry on expecting more and more each day that follows.  I wish I could say I was the exception, but that's pretty much what I do each thanksgiving. Sometimes, when forced, I end up in some sort of circle going around and saying what I'm thankful for, at which time I say "family", or "a job" or something else that takes approximatly 2 seconds of thought. Which, don't get me wrong- I am thankful for, very thankful. But it goes beyond that. I am thankful for a family that wants the best for me, and encourages me to live as the best human being I can be.  I am thankful that Jesus Christ died on the cross for me and I can have HOPE. I am thankful that I can live every day with purpose because I know death is not it.  I am thankful that I don't worry where my next meal will come from. I realize that this blog post is kind of going around in circles, but I think it's helping my thought process-really. [...And if you are entirely confused, well, welcome to my life.] Anyways, as I type... " I am thankful, I am thankful..." I have to stop and give a thought to what the word really means. Full of thanks. Am I? Maybe right now I am. Because Hallmark told me to be.  But do I live every day THANKING God for the ridiculous amounts of gifts that I've been given.  How often do I sit around wishing I had a better job, or a car, or a clearer answer about my future. So maybe that should be a goal we all set for ourselves this thanksgiving... remember to say your thank-yous.