A Time for Reflection: What Are You Thankful For?

It’s that time of year when I tend to focus on being grateful for everything good in my life. While things are far from perfect, I am taking time to truly reflect on those things which I am grateful for.

I am so very thankful for:

• God. For saving me, loving me and never forsaking me. If I had nothing else to be thankful for, that in and of itself would be enough.
• My husband. We have been such a strong support for one another over the many years of marriage, but even more so over the last couple of difficult years. When I am weak, he is strong and vice versa.
• My children. Though they can be a source of tremendous stress and worry, I am so grateful for both of them. Their kindness, their love, and their smiling faces. It amazes me how quickly they have grown. I am thankful I can be here to watch them grow up.
• My grandbaby! Need I say more?
• My extended family who I know would be there for me if I needed them.
• My job, that I get to go to each day. My house to come home to each evening. My car, to be able to get where I need to go. Enough money to pay my bills on time (mostly).  Enough food to eat each day.
• My health.
• My peace.
• Most of all, I am thankful for being able to recognize the handiwork of God in my daily life. The small things that may go unnoticed by others.

God’s Handiwork

One memorable moment of God’s handiwork in my life, that I recall vividly was this.  A few winters ago, we had some very icy/slick weather. My usual vehicle was terrible when roads are slippery so I had a backup vehicle (older SUV) that I would drive occasionally and especially in bad weather. I drove the SUV to and from work that day. I had no trouble at all.  I was actually thinking and said out loud to my husband, how grateful I was for that vehicle. Our Winter Rat, as we call it.

About an hour later, I had to go out to the store. As I started the vehicle and applied pressure to the break, I realized my foot was going all the way to the floor. There seemed to be no brake.  I thought maybe the line was frozen or something. I tried pumping the brakes. Nothing. I was able to put the car in reverse and back up some but had to put my foot all the way to the floor, hard, to stop the car.  I had little to no brakes. Long story short, my brake line had a leak in it and all the surrounding parts were rusted out. This car was NOT safe to drive. No brakes!

As we contemplated what to do about the situation, either repair a costly problem on this old SUV or possibly look into buying another car (which I had been already considering), I realized how blessed I had been. How lucky was it that the brake failure occurred before I got out of my driveway and down my hill with a busy intersection?

How blessed was I that this didn’t happen earlier in the day, like on my way to work or on the way back home?  The roads were already a slippery mess. I can’t fathom what would have happened if the brakes went out while I was driving!  God’s provision and protection?

Taking Notice

When things like this happen in my life, I try to be fully aware of God’s presence. To be grateful and not take it for granted.  I smile to myself and at least internally, acknowledge God.

Imagine all the times God has protected us. Without us even realizing it. Back in the early 80’s I used to listen to a song by Christian artist, Amy Grant. The title is, Angels.  Take a glance at the 2nd verse from this song.

God’s Covering

Can you fathom all the times, all the ways in which God has provided and protected us that we will never fully know? I want to take the time this Thanksgiving to thank God for all the times he has protected me and my loved ones. The times when just the right song came on the radio to minister to me. For all the blog posts, tweets, Facebook connections that have spoken just the right words at just the right time.

For the little times in life, when things go right and literally cause a smile to draw to my lips. For the times that things seem to have gone wrong but were actually a way of preventing me from encountering disaster up ahead.  For the delay that was for my benefit.  For the  “no” when I wanted a “yes”.

Being able to recognize those times and how the seemingly negative things, were ultimately a blessing in disguise. Or how even in the difficulties of life, He was there holding me up or comforting me.

Be Aware and Be Blessed

What about you? Looking back can you identify the times in your life when God has shown up and perhaps you didn’t even realize it? Take the time today to reflect and thank Him for all of the protection and provision, seen and unseen. And from now on, be on the lookout for God’s handiwork in your daily life.

This day and every day, in the midst of your hectic schedule, don’t lose sight of the One to whom we should all be giving thanks.

I hope each and every one of you have a blessed day of Thankfulness!