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My family likes to play a game called "Thankful", in which each of us takes a turn naming something we're thankful God has given us.
Often, the tendency is to say something quite serious, such as "I'm thankful for shelter and warmth," or "I'm thankful for the nice clothes that we have".
Now, these things are WONDERFUL things to be thankful for, of course, along with God's Love, Religious Freedom, Food, and other vital things.
But when playing the game, I also find myself thinking of the little things. Inconsequential stuff that might seem trivial, but in my opinion, it's really amazing that God has seen fit to bless us with these small details that enrich our lives. Things like birdsong, or cool mornings, or a happy ending in that book series I just read.
Here in this post, I want to list some of the things I'm thankful for, both big and little. In addition to giving us His great gifts, like Salvation, Providence, Peace, and Protection, God has seen fit to give us gifts that make life all the sweeter. :)
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Our World
Did God need to give us a pretty world to live in? No. And yet He not only created the earth to be functional, but wondrously and breathtakingly beautiful!
Music
There are few things that can touch the human heart as universally as music. Not everyone likes the same style, but somehow, this phenomenon reaches every corner of the world as a sort of natural language. God gave us the ability to create incredible sounds, and the intelligence to put them together into a comprehensive work. That's pretty amazing.
Imagination
Life would be so dull at times without imagination. It brightens up my day and adds a sense of wonder into the most ordinary or difficult circumstances.
The Ability to Produce Calluses
This one occurred to me as I was raking the lawn this spring. Without the ability to produce calluses, my hands would have been so blistered afterward, it would have been difficult to do much of anything for a few days. How fortunate we are that God decided to give us the ability to get that extra layer of protection!
Heaters
Speaking of protection, I am so thankful that we have heaters nowadays, to protect us from the cold winters! Same goes for air conditioning in the summer, or for anyone who lives in a hot climate. Not everyone has these luxuries, I know, so I'm very thankful to have these things available.
Movies
What a cool way to tell a story! The concept of a film is really an odd one, when you think abut it. We're able to record people doing something, then play it back with color and audio on a screen that somehow represents both depth and dimension despite representing the picture at only a fraction of its original size? It's like... it's like magic, or something. I mean, I know it's all very scientific and everything, but honestly, the fact that this even works is amazing.
Also, so fun, right? I love to curl up in the evening and watch a good movie or a tv show, just to relax at the end of the day. ^_^
Coffee
Hot cocoa is for the afternoons or the evening, but coffee and its somewhat harsh flavor and feel is definitely for the morning. I don't depend on it to start my day, as some people do, but for me, coffee is the perfect pick-me-up in the morning to last me through the workday until lunchtime.
Conditioner
I don't know about you, but my hair without conditioner is so full of static! I don't think I would ever wear my hair loose if I didn't have conditioner.
Soap
And for that matter, soap! Scrubbing off dirt from the garden or barn is such a chore without it, but when you've got it, it just slicks everything away. A luxury I don't often pause to consider, to be sure.
Electricity
Electricity makes so much of our modern lives possible. And while some technology has some pretty big downsides, I am so glad I live now with the conveniences humanity has invented. Heating, cooling, access to internet (read, 'information'), power tools.... life is so much easier than it could be.
My Car
It's been about three years now since I got my first car, and still when I drive it I find myself getting a little giddy now and then over the fact that I have a car that both works and looks nice. Thank you, God!
My Parents
My parents are awesome, guys. They understand me like no one else does- and I enjoy being with them not just because I love them, but because I like them. They are my mentors, my friends, my role-models, and my heroes. But most of all... my parents.
My Siblings
My siblings are my bestest friends in the whole world. Need I say more? XD
Home
I wish where I lived had more hills, and more trees. But at the same time... I don't. I love this place! Though it's flat and probably quite boring to most people, my little corner of North Dakota is beautiful to me, and I love being here. I go for long walks, ranging over the fields and country roads, and I'm so thankful that I can call this place home. There are no bugs or snakes or other animals that are an active threat, there's plenty of space and privacy, the land is green and fruitful... and I'm thankful for it every time I go out.
Time
I'm really thankful for the time that I have to just... be. I can spend time with my family and friends, I can write my books, and work and save money without having to be a slave to my job. This is something that not everyone gets to experience, so I'm very thankful for it while it lasts. And if life changes and I suddenly find myself with less time, then I'll still be thankful for it. Because whatever the case, the time we have on earth is still a gift, and we ought to use it and thank the Lord for it every day. I pray God will help me take advantage of my life to the best of my ability, for His glory.
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What are you thankful for? Let me know in the comments, or do your own "Thankful" post! I'd love to hear what gifts God has given you. :)
-Emmarayn Redding
(DISCLAIMER: I own none of the images in this post. All were found under 'public domain images' through a Google search.)
