thankful...

I really do take time every night to come up with five things I'm grateful for and I don't think thanksgiving should be the only time we take time to say thanks. However... perhaps this is a chance for me to take a moment to give thanks "publicly" in the blogosphere of the world wide web.

1. I am so thankful for my family. It could be an obvious one... but I know there are people not so blessed. Thanksgiving and Christmas are the only two holidays I have been able to hold as sacred family holidays... I refuse to let work take that away even if it means making 4 a.m. drives or spending nearly 25% of my trip in the car. Some day I hope I'm married and I'll have to figure out how to share the holidays... but for now I love being back on the shore. We have had our fair share of drama this week, but in the it doesn't matter because we're family.

2. I am thankful for my friends. Most of them don't live near me and I wish we could talk more or see each other more, but I know who I can count on when I need them. Some people know more about me than others... some people are better listeners... some are better advice-givers... some are better lunch dates... some are better shopping buddies... I'm truly grateful and pray we stay in touch.

3. I am thankful for my job. I complain about it a lot, but I never want to take it for granted. I have a job when so many people don't. I have met a ton of amazing people and get to watch them compete in collegiate sports... something that I wish I could still do.

4. I am thankful for new beginnings. I have made mistakes and I'm grateful for the people who have forgiven me and let me start over. I am also thankful I could do the same for others... I'm usually so quick to quit on people after mistakes to avoid being taken advantage of... but I'm praying I can guard my heart and still keep it open for the possibilities of new beginnings.

5. Most importantly... I am thankful for my relationship with Christ. I know for sure I would not be here today if it were not for Him. When I was a kid it was definitely just another characteristic about me... soccer player, liked the color blue, went to church... but now I really hope to seek real, passionate love for the God who continuously puts up with my crap and loves me anyway. I'm not sure I've even fully grasped who He is, but I pray my life glorifies Him.