100 Things I:m Thankful For!

100 Things I’m Thankful For
I have recently gotten a “Facebook” page and one of the things I see a lot are "20 things about _____ you didn’t know” or something like that.
For several years I’ve seen the challenge to write down 100 things for which you are grateful. Some have listed a person in their family and then ten things about them for which they are grateful. Then they might list the church and ten more things, etc. Some list several people, then several places, and then things. Some list ten blessings they have seen each day for 10 days. Isn't it wonderful that when we follow Christ's example of gratitude, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me" our love for God and people grows, aiding us in our endeavour to be humble (Jn 11:41). We cannot be faithful to God while failing to show gratitude. "Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1Thes 5:17-18).
Here are a few things, certainly not comprehensive and not even 100, for which I am grateful. I am thankful for my 3rd grade teacher, Miss Rector, and those Sunday afternoons with no meetings. I am thankful for in-laws, for friends who are as close as family and for family with whom I’m friends. I’m thankful to have grown up in great congregations like Wingate, Laurel Ave., Plaza, Dasher and Quitman .
I am thankful for the humility gained from a difficult break up when in college, for coaching a state finals basketball loss and for coaching a state basketball finals win! I’m thankful for sometimes feeling left out, for sometimes feeling I’m fitting in, for feeling appreciated and for at times, feeling unappreciated. I am thankful for the feeling and smell of a freshly cut yard (even when just part of it's cut-when Last Rites are given to my mower :( ). I am thankful for the Sunday hugs, especially from the little ones! I am grateful for unexpected cards and notes. I am thankful for Trenton, the town and the congregation, the schools, the library, restaurants, and Cloudland Canyon State Park.
I am thankful for God's love and forgiveness. I am thankful for new members at Trenton and those who have been faithful here so many years. For our great young people and those who have been young for longer times! I am thankful for the graduates we will honor tonight.
I am thankful for Jamie's beauty; both inside and out and her unwavering love for me. A kiss from my daughters and my parents’ love. Laurie’s love of family and the Philippines, Louise's calm sense of listening ability and loving smile and Dustin's first son in law “fit-in-ability” (is that a word? He is though, a great addition and blessing to our family) and his willingness to help and Leigh’s exuberance for life and commitment to Christian Education especially at Faulkner.
I am thankful for people who have been far better to me than I deserved in Orange Park, FL, Jasper, FL, Blakely, GA, Lineville, AL, and Trenton. And lessons I’ve learned.
This wasn’t 100 but it sure made me feel better and more thankful! I’m gonna keep working on mine. What about you? Why don’t you try a list of your own? I can assure you, it’ll make you feel better!