A Short List

A few Amish proverbs: "Contentment is not getting what we want but being satisfied with what we have."

"Happiness doesn't come from doing what we like to do, but

liking what we have to do."

"The key to contentment is to realize life is a gift--not a right."

Just a little food for thought as we seek to be pilgrim people who are overflowing with thanksgiving.

Today is a chilly (actually, cold!), misty, gray day. Normally I might complain, but I am choosing to be thankful. And the funny thing is, when you make up your mind to be thankful and ask God to help you, the Lord seems to delight in giving you a grateful perspective that colors and brightens your world. It was truly beautiful on the greenway today as I walked along with our dog, Moses. The fallen leaves made a crunchy autumn carpet under our feet, and the darkness of the day somehow made me think of cozy thanksgivings by the fire. The brisk cool air revived both Moses and me (and we both needed it, due to our advanced ages). And we saw our first deer of the fall bounding off into the brush. What amazing animals God has created!

Here's a short list of a few more things for which I'm thankful today:

My sweet mother-in-law getting off the ventilator and out of ICU

Hot tea

Soothing classical music

Sweet old Moses snoring at my feet

Reading glasses

Good books

Dear friends and the gift of fellowship that lightens our loads and multiplies our joys

God's Word that never fails

A warm home

Chocolate (that just always has to be included on any list)

Grace

The gift of another day to be thankful and share of God's overflowing goodness

Have you started your list yet? Will you pause and thank Him right this minute? Thank You Lord! And to God be the glory.