Time after time

Time after time I am reminded of just how much I do have in life. I get so caught up in looking for the things I don't have that I forget to be thankful for the things I do. I find it easy to be thankful for the big things. I also find it easy to be thankful when I experiencing the good times.

However, when I am in the valley I have a very hard time finding things to be thankful for. Even the big things seem to escape me. I am called to pray without ceasing and to give thanksgiving to the Lord. This doesn't just mean when I am on the mountain top looking down on the valley, but in the depths of the valley as well. When I am in the deep dark pit of the valley it is the hardest to look up and see that God is there pulling me out of that place. And it is equally hard, if not harder to be thankful that He is there pushing and pulling me up onto the mountain.

He works for my good behind the scenes and in places when I am not even aware that He is working. I have heard this over and over so I "should" be thankful for all that He does for me. So today where I am is trying to find big and little things to be thankful for. Here is my list so far for today:

• God


• my kids


• my recovery


• someone who loves me more than i can comprehend


• a few really good friends


• the sun and all its warmth that it brings to my life


• my roses


• my health


• beautiful trees


• my job


• food to eat


• nature and all of its beauty


• ladybugs


• butterflies


• hugs


• kisses


• that smell my kids have when they wake up


• that moment right when the sun breaks through the clouds in the morning


• twilight right before the sun sets


• rain


• laughter


• the smell of food that welcomes me home


• kittens

So maybe I can go on and on. And maybe just maybe I should make this list everyday to remind me of all the things I truly have to be thankful for.