A Thankful Heart

It's been on my heart for a while to compile a list of things I am truly thankful for. Sometimes I tend to get caught up in the negative and forget to focus on all the many blessings in my life. So, what more of an appropriate day than Thanksgiving Day to get this list started!

A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues. ~Cicero

I broke my list into three categories. The first being the Lord, then simple every day things that we tend to overlook, and finally my personal list. This list is incomplete and I may expand on it later. These are just my initial thoughts and a way for me to remember, daily, all the many blessings in my life. Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!

The Lord

~ His Love ~
John 3:16- "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life."

~ Salvation ~
Acts 16:31- "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved..."

~Eternal Life ~
Romans 6:23 - "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord."

~Grace ~
Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."

~Forgiveness ~
1 John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

~Mercy & Compassion ~
Lamantations 3:22-23 -"Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed. Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."

~That HE controls my life and not me ~
Proverbs 19:21 - "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."

~Correction ~
Hebrews 12:5b-6 - "My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives."

~Church~

~Spiritual Gifts~ 1 Cor. 12

~The Holy Spirit~
John 14:26 - " But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."

~Direct access to the Father/Prayer~
John 14:13 - "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."

The Overlooked

~ Freedom
~Running water
~Garbage disposal
~Heat
~Air conditioning/fans
~Electronics
~Food
~Medical care
~Medicine
~Transportation
~Homes
~Emergency response systems
~Plumbing
~Clothing
~Education
~Banks
~Organizations
~Military
~The right to vote
~Convenience stores

Personal

~My mom
~My dad
~My husband/our marriage
~My daughter
~Daughter #2
~Grandparents
~Relatives
~In-Laws
~Our home
~Financial stability
~A mom and a dad who have been married for over 25 years
~Furnishings for our home
~Our vehicles
~A stable, good paying job for my husband
~The Internet (this blog!)
~Fellowship
~Friendships
~The work God has been doing in my life
~Our health
~Our neighborhood
~Our church family

It is literally true, as the thankless say, that they have nothing to be thankful for. He who sits by the fire, thankless for the fire, is just as if he had no fire. Nothing is possessed save in appreciation, of which thankfulness is the indispensable ingredient. But a thankful heart hath a continual feast. ~W.J. Cameron

Happy Thanksgiving!