Each day this year, I’ve posted a little thing that I’m thankful for. It’s transformed my attitude, my perspective, my prayers, and all sorts of other things. I’ve enjoyed posting my “little things” and often times have had to choose between so many good things in a day. But if I can be honest, I have also struggled on some days to remember to be thankful, especially when things have felt pretty crummy.
I’ve had some friends tell me they have enjoyed reading them and actually look forward to them, and others who say they’ve stopped following me because they are sick of them. (Thankful for their honesty). And there are days when I’ve asked myself why I ever committed to posting 365 times this year, but even more days that I’ve looked forward to choosing what to give thanks for.
This year is so quickly coming to an end, and it seems to be disappearing faster than any years in the past. On my night stand I’ve got a list tucked under the runner of more things I’m thankful for than I’ve been able to post. But tonight, in an effort to truly cherish what TIME is left in this year, I’ve decided to post ALL of the things I’ve not posted that I’m thankful for, and wrap this commitment up in one long blog. I intend to spend TIME in December a little differently this year 😉
So here you have it…… the very last 37 “Little Things!”
328) Thankful that God doesn’t take my advice.
329) Thankful for the single parents God not-so-randomly drops into my life for me to encourage. It KEEPS me thankful, and keenly aware of all of the ways that He provided. Remembering helps me to know just how to encourage them.
330) At the beginning of the year I pulled all of my donations / support from organizations and missionaries I was supporting. I felt I was not giving enough to my church, and wanted to give all of it to church this year knowing that God would tell me and direct me where He wanted my money to go. He didn’t do that, but instead taught me something bigger. I’m still not sure why, but I trust Him and know that He knows why 😉
331) I have seen people take things that don’t belong to them, and it really ticks me off. So I’m really, really thankful for people I know who don’t take things that don’t belong to them.
332) I’m thankful that my grandson loves me unconditionally and that if I start singing “pony boy” both he and his sister run to jump on my lap. It’s a little thing. But to us, it’s a pretty big thing.
333) I’m glad Lyla likes to play hop scotch and Miss Mary Mack and Owey likes to get a book and plop down in my lap. Gosh, I hope they both ALWAYS cherish books like I do.
334) I’m thankful for my dear friend Stephanie who I’ve probably been thankful for a few times before but…. I just really enjoy working with her. We are always so glad to see each other and catch up, and because 12 hours isn’t enough, we always go out for a few after work.
335) I have a brother and a sister. I’m so, so glad.
336) I am glad that TIME has a way of healing things. Not everything, but most things.
337) I am thankful that my cousin Lynn came to visit my family and me in Michigan. That was definitely one of the highlights of my year.
338) Tonight, I’m definitely thankful for Motrin, cuz my back’s killing me.
339) I am thankful for my flannel nightgown with the pockets 😉
340) I am thankful for my friends Diane and Jeff who both feel like siblings to me. I honestly don’t know if I’ve ever felt like that about any other friends before.
341) I am thankful for the friends who trusted me to help them with some real estate transactions this year. And thankful for the people who were helpful to me in the office.
342) I am thankful for my Oswald Chambers devotional. It’s really, really good.
343) I am thankful for the jar of change in my locker since the ATM machine decided to eat my debit card for breakfast.
344) Thankful that my car is still running and I have an amazing mechanic who genuinely cares that I’m safe! Speaking of GENUINE – I’m also thankful that those in my closest circle love me for me, and not for what they can gain from me.
345) Thankful for my neighbor who comes over yearly to help me bring my Christmas tree up and down the stairs. 21 years. LOL
346) Thankful for the silly little milk jug my mom used to save change in when we were little. It paid for gas money on our vacations. She made me save half of everything I made. I’m really glad she taught me that.
347) My parents told us “no” to things often so that we would grow up knowing we can’t have everything we want, and that we have to save for the things we want the most. Every year in September we went to the St. Robert’s fair, and they never said no all weekend. Those were some of the most fun days of my life. Thanks Mum and Dad – for saying no to us often. You taught me how to live within my means. You taught me how to be generous. You taught me how to work hard. You taught me the difference between a want and a need. So thankful for that!
348) Thankful for hats. I love hats.
349) Thankful for flannel sheets.
350) Thankful for my earring holder I bought last year at Arts, Beats, and Eats. I love that my earrings are easy to pick out now!
351) Thankful for quiet evenings.
352) Thankful for the sun shining in the window on the rare mornings I get to sleep in.
353) Thankful to be a nurse. I receive more from people who are sick than they could ever possibly get from me. Makes the back ache worth it (most times).
354) Thankful for my Dad’s jacket that hangs in my closet. Every now and then, I stick my hands in the pockets and miss him.
355) I got to go home to Nova Scotia this summer and hang out with cousins – another big highlight of the year!
356) Thankful for grace. I so don’t deserve it.
357) I am thankful for both of my sons, and even more thankful that God loves them perfectly and won’t let them out of his Hands.
358) I am thankful that I can TRUST God with both of my sons’ lives, and that He trusted me to be their Mom here…..
359) I am thankful that I really need not ever defend myself. That’s a tough one for any single mom – we often are thought of and looked at as inadequate and not whole. That means we can get treated as inadequate, incapable, and not whole. But God will defend me, even when I don’t see Him doing it. He’s my Father, and I’m His Princess. He rules the world, so don’t mess with me or you’ll answer to Him! 😉
360) Thankful for the book club ladies and the new friends I’ve made.
361) Thankful for people who respond to “how are you?” with not only an answer, but a genuine inquiry as to how I am, too.
362) Thankful for Edna, who always seems to understand.
363) Thankful for thank you cards.
364) Thankful for pretty paper and hand written letters and pen pals.
365) Thankful that I am finally sick to death of social media.
I’ve always enjoyed these