gratitude...

This month has been full of friends sharing the list of things they're thankful for on Facebook. Some may argue we shouldn't have to wait until a particular Thursday in November to be thankful. Others may celebrate the chance to really stop and be thankful, especially as the pace of life continues to speed up. 

I want to do both. I want to be thankful every day, but I also want to set this day apart to really stop and soak it in. 

I will always be thankful for my faith and my family. My faith has probably grown more in the last 15 months than it has in a long time. God continues to challenge me and push me to dig in closer to Him. It is my instinct to fall into myself and those around me and He keeps calling me out. Since moving, I've been blessed by my parents' church along with plenty of other sermons from solid pastors/speakers like Steven Furtick, Andy Stanley and Lysa Terkeurst that challenge me to keep pursuing Him first. 

One of the biggest reasons for me to come home was to spend more time with my family. If I didn't receive confirmation when I had the chance to go to the first three Ravens' games with my dad, I was reminded when 16 of us went to dinner for my dad's 70th birthday. Those are the moments I missed the most when I was in NC. It wasn't the end of the world when I wasn't here, but it meant the world to me to be able to be here, especially for such a cool milestone. I want to be here for my family when we're hurting, when we're celebrating, and everything in between. 

At the same time, while I'm able to be here for all those things I've missed in Maryland, now I'm missing them in North Carolina. Too often, I wish I could be two places at once. As thankful as I am for an opportunity to reconnect with friends and family in Maryland, I am just as grateful for my friends in North Carolina who haven't forgotten me. It's so easy for time and space to come between friends. I know it's only been a few months and next Thanksgiving I may be singing a different song... but today, I am thankful for my friends who have helped me during this transition... I've had good days and bad days, but it is such a comfort to know I have people I can call/text/write/FaceTime/e-mail and celebrate the good or vent the bad. 

I'm thankful for my new job that gave me a fresh start and more flexibility on nights and weekends. I've been working hard to reclaim my life and find hobbies outside of work. One of my favorites has definitely been playing soccer every week. Every Sunday night I get to reconnect with former (I would say old, but we're in denial) high school teammates and take out some stress on the field. I love the competition and just being back on the field.

I want to be thankful for my house even though it hasn't sold yet. I know this isn't an ideal time to sell (and not lose money) and I don't want to become bitter about it. I have a lot of great memories in that house and I will always be grateful for my first house. I am absolutely thankful for my parents' patience and understanding while I crash at their place during this "extended" transition!

I'm soaking in and stocking up the gratitude today in hopes it will exude from me all year long. 

giving thanks...

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures."  - Thornton Wilder

I am grateful not just for the little things or the obvious things, but everything that matters. I think Wilder had it right. When we are consumed with what we don't have rather than what we do, we become lost in "want" rather than "have." I have been blessed with so many treasures and I try to stay conscious of those things every day... not just Thanksgiving Day. I try to journal every day with at least five things I'm grateful for... it's a sweet reminder just before I try to sleep each night.

Some of my treasures in no particular order... 

1. my family - After having not seen my family since the summer, it was such a relief to come home Wednesday. I'm only home for barely more than 48 hours so this definitely about quality rather than just quantity. My parents, sisters, bro and bros-in-laws and my nephew (zac is missed fo sho) have made this a great mini-vaca.

2. my friends - I have friends all over the country and I'm grateful for each one. God has placed people in my life at the perfect time to remind me not just who I am, but whose I am. 

3. my faith - I have absolutely no idea where I'd be without my faith. I'm so grateful for God's plan for my life and His ultimate sacrifice sending Jesus to the cross to pay my debt. Life here on earth doesn't always make sense, but I'm trusting His direction and holding on to His hope. 

4. my job - There are stressful days, but having experienced unemployment and knowing so many people without a job... I am grateful for a job. I have had so many opportunities to meet so many people and do so many things I wouldn't have had otherwise. 

5. my sense of humor - Some people may not always appreciate it, but my humor... the ability to laugh can be the extra push to get me through a tough situation or a hard day. When we look at the big picture... does it really matter? We need to laugh at ourselves. 

I could go on and on and be more specific listing person after person, but in reality I just want to be thankful... every day. Or as my friend wiz might say... 'er day.

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.