Of course we're all giving all sorts of thanks this week, but I just don't feel worthy of all I have been given.  I have health and material wealth and great in-laws and wonderful parents and kids without physical or psychological issues and a husband without hang-ups or anger or unhealthy habits.  He works, he bathes, he laughs and overlooks.  I have friends, albeit busy friends and friends far away, but kind friends and long-term friends. 

I have a chance to do my horse life, again.  I'm getting a do-over!  Not many folks get a chance like that.  I have little hobbies and interests that I can pursue, in small but rewarding ways.  I live in a country where women are valued and educated.  I have healthcare and health insurance.  I pay a lot for a little, but I don't really even use it that much.

I can vote.  I can speak.  I can express myself in print in a thousand venues.  I can buy what I want and boycott where I want and still have a hundred places to spend a little expendable income.  I have a flabby belly from the three-times over trip to the hospital that brought smiles and giggling girls into my big, warm house.

I have a house that is being re-created around me.  It has a finished front and a bare behind and more transformation to go, all of my choosing.  I can get to at least four home-remodel centers in less than 30 minutes! 

I have a flabby belly because my mom is such a good cook, and a willing gourmand and a generous parent.  I have more clothes than I can keep washed and put away (from an automatic machine that does all the work for me.)  I can cook on an assortment of appliances and then use another to clean all those loads of dishware for me while I peck around on an amazing electronic device, that is getting a little cantankerous in its old age.  In a couple months I'll have the absurd luxury of going to pick out a new one, just because I want more convenience and more speed.

I don't even have to leave my house to get my work done.  I don't have to send my children away to be inculcated by some government authority.  I can even pick out whom I want for my authorities and my choices will count.  I can complain if my picks don't win.  I can complain loud and long.

My opportunities for entertainment are almost unlimited.  About the only thing I cannot do is be alone.  I can watch what I want when I want.  I can borrow for free.  I can ask for gifts several times a year.  I can do nothing one day a week and be blessed by it. 

I can travel when I want, where I want, with whomever I want.  I can roam the country or roam the world.  I can sleep peacefully knowing that in a hundred places young men are willing to die for my safety.

I have hope for my future, unending hope because God chose to become a person and die just to save me from my ridiculous selfishness and sin.  I can live without fear because the perfect gave it all away to take my place at the place of ultimate payment.  I suffer not because it has been done for me.

Happy Thanksgiving.

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Posted by Pauladm

Thank you for the reminder of all we have to embrace. BTW, I love the picture on your blog. It reminds me of the beauty surrounding my childhood home.

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Posted by devdoordeborah

Incredible piece of writing here! You made me stop and think about more than I have thought of for giving thanks to God this season!

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is Good and His mercy endures forever!!!!

Thanks for adding me to your friends list. I've done the same. :)


God's abundant blessings to you and yours!

Deborah

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Posted by TOSPUBLISHER

You and all of us have so much to be thankful for! Hope you had a merry Christmas and a happy new year as well.

www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com

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Posted by audthebirdlady

Wow! Your post really makes us look at ALL we have to be thankful for! Your blog is wonderfully written - you have a real gift for writing. Just dropped by on a "Random Blog" tour. Keep up the great writing!! I'm going to bookmark your site!

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