Thank-full

 Thank-full: being full (overflowing) with gratitude for each day of life. No matter what that day brings. Or how I wake up in the morning. Or how I feel. Or the circumstances I might face. 

The truth is, everyday is a gift. It really doesn't matter what you are dealing with. Because the fact is, God has given you another day.

After reading One Thousand Gifts, I was challenged to find things I am thankful for all day long. And when I really thought about it, it seemed like a difficult task. Isn't that sad--that I thought it was difficult to find things to be thankful for all day long? As Christians, we should be so full (thank-full) that our hearts are always in a spirit of gratitude. But nonetheless, I am too human, and it seemed a difficult task.

But after a few months (and a mini moleskin notebook filling up with my findings), it's easier. And I find that each day, I can be thankful for so many things. Like sunny patches shining through on the living room carpet. Or the silhouette of Downtown LA on a beautiful sunny afternoon. Or making a less-than-sharp right turn that only requires me to shift down into the third gear. Small, insignificant things, really. But I think God gives us these things to make significant changes in our heart.

They bring us delight. They bring us out of our circumstances to recognize our blessings. And they always bring us back to the face of God. Pure delight. 

So, here's a portion of my Thank-full ongoings...

1) Having a HOPE to make it through everyday. Jesus is my HOPE
2) God's Provision. Always a surprise and always greater than we expect
3) Life lessons. Not always easy to digest. But I'm a stronger (possibly more tattered) woman in the end
4) Challenge. I've always loved a good challenge. So bring on the pressure
5) The simple things: a good hair day, feeling good about myself, good naps (both mine and Elijah's), a fun day full of memories, chai lattes...
6) Being thankful for the little things. Because those add up to a big part of life
7) Celebrating in others' victories (and genuinely celebrating for them)
8) Good toe nail polish
9) A clean dog
10) A freshly made bed
11) A good stretch
12) Comfy sweats
13) Seasons of life: the good, the bad, the ugly. Everything is a season. That means change is to come - always. Sometimes I want the current season to end and other times I don't. But with each new season, also comes a new season of Faith and Hope in God.
14) That I know man or woman, president, king or queen, saint, pastor, friend, or enemy can't save me. Jesus already did. 
15) Integrity. No one has 100% integrity 100% of the time. But you know when it's there and even more when it's not. When we can have enough integrity to honor and respect someone else (even if there is disagreement), than we are a true disciple. They will know us by our love...
16) Traditions. (Because you have to eat quiche on Christmas day)
17) A good book.
18) The Good Book.
19) A big, tall glass of Coca-Cola. (Truly the sweet nectar of life)
20) Spanish. This seriously has to be the language spoken in heaven. Tis nothing sweeter.
21) God's voice. I mean, seriously?!
22) A new haircut and color
23) Qin. (Oh how I miss Qin)
24) Rudy's. (Oh that I never have to miss Rudy's again)
25) Brokenness. If everything were fixed, complete, or 100% pure, we wouldn't need God.
26) That people accept me in my brokenness (and forgive me for it, time and time again).
27) Travels. Road trips. And more travels...
28) ...this beautiful planet. How creative is our God? How beautiful He made His people! Colors, languages, tribes, tongues, traditions, songs. Humanity. I don't know anyone else that could be that creative!
29) Heaven. To live in eternity with our Creator, Uncle Joe, Aunt Cindy, and the many others who have gone before us. Eternity. Can't even comprehend.

30) And then the obvious (and though it is obvious, I am truly grateful). Matthew, Elijah, family, friends, church. Life

Ain't nothing sweeter. Even, if at times, it can be a little bitter. Still ain't nothing sweeter.

*Naturally, there are pictures of Elijah throughout. Because who couldn't be Thank-full when they see those cheeks?!