With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, the craziness of our busy schedules and Christmas around the corner, it's easy to get caught up in our daily lives. It is so easy to only see what all there is to get done and what all we don't have at the moment instead of noticing how great we have it. Seeing that Thanksgiving is all about being thankful, I made a short list of simple things that we can always be thankful for no matter what we are going through at the time.
1. Your God who loves you unconditionally
I believe this is the most important thing to be thankful for. We are all sinners and fail daily, but we are still loved by God. No matter where we've been or what we've done, God still loves us. His love is like no other, and without His love, we would not know how to love. Although sometimes we only thank Him when all is well, He still loves us. His love is everlasting. His love is full of grace and mercy, and we didn't do anything to earn it. We don't deserve it, but yet He pours His love out on us.
2. Your family
Believe me, I know sometimes it's hard to be thankful for your family. Sometimes they get under your skin and push too many of your buttons. Sometimes you want to be left alone and not have to deal with them. With that being said, you have a family. A family that cares about you, and a family that loves you. A family that wants to see you succeed and do great things. Although your family might look different than someone else's in terms of who is present, you still have a family, and that is always something to be thankful for.
3. Your friends
If you're like me, you are beyond blessed with some great friends that would be willing to do anything for you. Some may live far off and you are only able to call or text them, but you know that they will always answer their phone and listen. Others live around you and all you have to do is walk to their room or show up at their doorsteps and they're ready to take on whatever it is that you're about to throw their way. Whether it's boy trouble, stressful school work, missing home, needing ice cream and doughnuts, or just someone to get out and do something with, you are blessed to say you have those people in your life. Our friends are just another form of our family, and life would be boring and a lot more lonely without them.
4. You have food and shelter.
Although this seems so simple, it is so easy to forget. We live in a world that is always wanting something more and is never content with what we have, and sometimes it's hard not getting caught up in the ways of the world. With all that is going on today, we are more than blessed if we have food in front of our face and a place to lay our head at night.
5. You have an education.
Whether you chose to go to college or not, you are still able to say that you have a high school education. I believe education to be one of the most important parts of our daily lives, and most people overlook it. I do not believe that the only way to become successful in life is through a degree, but I do believe that it helps to have some educational background. School can be very demanding at times, and sometimes it's so easy to want to give up, but we still have the opportunity to attend school and get educated while so many don't.
6. You live in the land of the free.
Despite the past couple of years, I still believe that we live in the best country. We have men and women that are willing to lay down their life for our country. Our military is selfless and goes above and beyond for the rest of us so that we can life comfortably. We are free, and that is a lot more than many others can say.
