I Am Thankful

I am thankful for the little prancing rainbows that refract from the suncatchers in the window to dance across the room in their colorful costume. I am thankful for the frogs that sing in chorus at night and the crickets that join in. I am thankful for the simplicity of the fireflies that light their lights in the south pasture on the peaceful summer evenings. I am thankful for the soft white petals that float gently down from the lofty pear tree when the wind blows, strewing the yard as though preparing the way for a bride. I am thankful for the times when I stand on the beach and watch the waves roll in at my feet. 

I am thankful for the picture God paints in every sunrise and sunset. I am thankful for the fresh air of farm life. I am thankful for the flowers that bring such joy in life.

I am thankful for the simple way. I am thankful for the rainy days that bring peace to the soul. I am thankful for the sunlight that dances its way through the shifting leaves on the trees and lands in waltzing patches on the soft moss.

I am thankful for the Father in Heaven who is looking down and will never leave me nor forsake me. I am thankful for my parents that love me with their whole heart and have poured so much of their lives into their children. I am thankful for my nine siblings whom I love, and I wouldn’t exchange for anything in the world. I am thankful for my special friend who I talk to daily and is so dear to my heart. I am thankful for the times we have spent, and the memories we have made together as a family.

I am thankful for the days when everything just seems to not go my way, and I realize I am not the only person that exists in the world. I am thankful for the times that I simply do not understand my way, because according to Proverbs 20:24, it means my steps are ordained by the Lord. I am thankful for the times I cannot get to sleep at night, as they give me time to pray and say the things I am thankful for. I am thankful God is the one in control, not me.

I am thankful for those hot humid Southern Illinois days when we are working outside with Dad, drenched in sweat, but still working not only on the job we are doing, but also on our character. I am thankful for the rare occasion when all the electricity goes out and we light the oil lamps and see what it was like without electricity in the olden days. I am thankful for the times years ago when I’d forgotten to close the chicken house in the evening when I should have and am taught my lesson by having to go down and do it in the dark. I am thankful for the pothole in the road that keeps me alert while driving. I am thankful for that precious friend by the name of contentment. I am thankful for the time I have spent in practicing my music. I am thankful for the trials and tribulations of life that bump off our rough edges as stones and make us fit perfectly into the Father’s crown. 

I am thankful for the discipline I have received from my parents, as unpleasant as it was at the time, I am thankful for it as it has made me a better person. I am thankful for the hard times in life that help to make me stronger. I am thankful for the times when I am feeling low, and I realize who is there for me. I am thankful for the fact that I am who I am, and that God made me. I am thankful that I can sing praise to the Lord with my whole heart.

That list could go on for forever. What are you thankful for? Have you ever taken the time to sit down and write a few of them down? It is easy to be thankful when all is well. Other times it may seem hard or strange to be thankful for such things as hard times, or days of sadness, but it makes you understand life and how thankful you are to have the breath you are breathing. I am thankful, yes, I am thankful.

~Jayla