Dear Lord,

Why is it that we, your children, get so caught up in life that we don't stop to thank you for your greatness? For our blessings? For our trials? You are the one that rotates this world and keeps our feet planted to the ground. You are the one that keeps the sun and moon at a perfect distance, making Earth the ideal place for habitation. For this, I thank you.

I thank you for lighting my pathway in the darkness. For keeping me on the straight and narrow when all I wanted to do is drift into the mainstream. Thank you for making a home in the deepest parts of my heart and softening them. For teaching me how to love your people as you love us and to be patient when things don't seem to pan out just right. Thank you for showing me how to love myself as the beautiful creature you created me to be.

Thank you for allowing me to endure life's toughest trials. For choosing me to be your soldier. For allowing me to have a great testimony. Thank you for staying by my side when there was no one else beside me. Thank you for guarding me and protecting me when my own thoughts were no longer a safe haven. Thank you for being my first best friend. For listening to my deepest and darkest secrets.

Thank you for forgiving me when I do you wrong. For granting me your endless mercy when I deserve nothing.

Finally, thank you for the simplicities in life. For waking me in the morning and lying me down to rest at night. Thank you for rising the sun in the morning and giving me another breath. For providing me with food, shelter, and family.

Thank you for giving me a calling and a purpose.

With love,

Your Grateful Child