I can’t really let a day all about being thankful go by without telling you some things I’m really thankful for. So, here goes.

Firstly, Brent and I are part of this non-profit Christian ministry. (Most of you know that already.) And we live kind of like missionaries, in that we’re responsible to raise our own financial support. It’s kind of hard to explain, but our supporters send money to the ministry and then the ministry writes us a check each month. And just this last week, someone anonymously gave us a bunch of money. And I don’t usually like to talk about money, but this was so out of the blue, and Brent and I had been praying because we want to refinance our house so we can pay for it in 15 years instead of 30. And now, we have more than enough to refinance. So, God, thank You. Thank You for those people that did that. And to think they don’t even want us to know their name. It’s hard to explain a love like that.

Secondly, I’m thankful because my friend that works at Moody Publishers was sitting in her office yesterday, taking the time to read a bunch of stuff I wrote so she can see if it will go in a book. She believes in me like that. She believes that God will take my words and send them out into the world, and use them to help and to heal. So, God, thank You for her. And thank You for giving me words and for using them at all.

Also, I’m thankful for my husband and all his beard growing antics. Last night he dressed up like this redneck dude and we laughed and took pictures. And a blog is coming soon about all the people that have inspired him to grow out his beard. I think you will find it quite funny. So, God, thank You for Brent. Thank You that You brought me clear across Arkansas and some of Missouri and Illinois and into Michigan so I could meet the guy and find out that lo and behold, he exists. I wouldn’t have known about him, had You not worked this out in my life. God, he’s amazing.

And how can I not be thankful for my kids? Those two little twirps that run around loud and crazy, carrying my heart everywhere they go. How I love them. So, God, thank You for my babes. For all the ways they help me see that this life is full of interesting things. Like caterpillars and commodes. And though it can be scary, still it’s fun and hysterical and adventurous and good.

And lastly, I’m thankful for my God. He made me and this whole wide world. And He teaches me more about Himself every single day. So long as I’ve got this breath, I want to seek Him out. So, God, thank You for You and, of course, for Jesus. For the countless ways You show up in an ordinary humdrum day. And thank You for faith enough to see.