With 2014 nearly behind us, I reflect back on the year. It wasn’t everything I had hoped it would be,
or everything I had planned for it to be.
But I ambitiously set out on January 1, 2014 to find something to be
thankful for every day.
Funny thing about choosing gratitude – the enemy doesn’t like it.
I’m not one who believes that Satan lies around every corner or hides
behind every bush, but it wasn’t until I made the conscious effort to find
things to be thankful for that I really felt him laying snares for me to fall
into. But I kept in mind that I am told
in scripture to be thankful in every
circumstance, not necessarily for
every circumstance.
And every day, I left myself a sticky note somewhere that I
knew I would see it more than once throughout the day of one little thing that
I was going to be thankful for that day.
Something I could pray for, and meditate on that day. And a miraculous thing happened: I become
more and more thankful as the year went on.
Of course, as my gratitude increased, so did my trials. But I pressed on. In
every circumstance, not for every circumstance.
I tried to share my thankful notes on Instagram with the
hashtag, #365daysofthankfulness. At one point, during the summer, Instagram
stopped allowing me to post. I consider
this another tactic of the enemy, but I could be wrong…
What I want for everyone to understand is that gratitude is
a choice. As you’ll see, some days it was difficult to
find something to be thankful for. Some
days, it came easy. But every day I had
to make the choice to be grateful, and not take the blessings – as numerous as
they are – for granted, because I have truly been blessed beyond measure.
Here are my #365daysofthankfulness :
I am thankful…
01/01 for a new year
01/02 for scarves
01/03 for food – lots of it!
01/04 for family visits
01/05 for naps
01/06 for winter vacation
01/07 for my job
01/08 for music
01/09 for umbrellas
01/10 for 30 years of memories with my mom
01/11 that yesterday is behind me
01/12 for my church
01/13 for coffee
01/14 it is not Monday
01/15 for “hump days”
01/16 for no traffic on 59!
01/17 it is Friday!
01/18 for the precious young faces of Guatemala
01/19 for Abby & her creative heart
01/20 Matt comes home today!
01/21 for clean water
01/22 for hand lotion
01/23 I’m having a hard time feeling thankful, but I’m thankful to
be alive
01/24 for pay days
01/25 I get to serve the homeless of Houston #kyliesprayer
01/26 for Marshall
01/27 for days off
01/28 for a “snow day”
01/29 for my “work family”
01/30 for self-control
01/31 for Bo, my big, loud, lovable, furry black friend, Bo
02/01 for sweet Wes
02/02 for Lysol, Clorox, and Germ-X
02/03 for a pantry full of food
02/04 for my busy calendar
02/05 for my small group
02/06 for my heated car seats
02/07 for my slow cooker
02/08 for Saturdays
02/09 for Sundays
02/10 for unfailing love
02/11 for routines
02/12 that my husband was born on this day
02/13 for the airplane and pilots that will bring my husband home to
me
02/14 I am loved
02/15 for love notes
02/16 for people who serve
02/17 for Mondays off
02/18 for days with no practices, meetings, rehearsals, etc.
02/19 I can be there for kid “sick days”
02/20 for healing
02/21 for mercies new
02/22 my husband is willing to serve the people of Haiti
02/23 for my daddy
02/24 for fruit
02/25 for love that pursues my furiously
02/26 for shelter from the cold
02/27 for Freedom Fighters #enditmovement
02/28 I only have one more sleep until Matt comes home
03/01 for hard work
03/02 for the 4 lbs. I lost this week, & 1 BMI point
03/03 God answered prayer, Jessica is cancer-free on her birthday!
03/04 for coats and scarves
03/05 for grace
03/06 nightmares aren’t real
03/07 that it’s the last Friday before Spring Break
03/08 my mom isn’t suffering, even if it feels like I am
03/09 for a snuggly, comfy bed
03/10 for sleeping in
03/11 for no plans
03/12 that my husband is a good provider
03/13 I can pay my bills on time
03/14 it’s pi day
03/15 for the luxury of a hairdresser
03/16 for change in weather
03/17 the kids are back in school
03/18 to be back at work
03/19 for intelligent conversation
03/20 for a drama-free morning
03/21 for a special co-worker, and I am sad to see her leave
03/22 for hot showers, clean dishes, & refreshing drinks
#worldwaterday
03/23 for the rodeo
03/24 for a husband that helps
03/25 that I am NOT bored
03/26 for opportunities to share
03/27 for “anti-depressants” (coffee, chocolate)
03/28 for mutual friends
03/29 for the opportunity to serve in my community
03/30 for vacations
03/31 for modern medicine
04/01 for the empty waiting room
04/02 for a tank full of gas while I sat in traffic
04/03 for light traffic, hot coffee, & loud music
04/04 that I have 2 strong legs for dodgeball
04/05 that someone wants me on their team
04/06 for my Sunday routine
04/07 for the next right step
04/08 that God is teaching me to be flexible and patient
04/09 for words of encouragement from special friends
04/10 that I was taught the difference between right & wrong
04/11 for remote controls
04/12 for healthy ideas
04/13 for flowers
04/14 for my 2 healthy legs that propelled me 2 miles this morning
04/15 for healing #bostonstrong
04/16 for my tax refund
04/17 for the mystery, power, and beauty in lightning
04/18 for beauty in nature
04/19 for lessons in history
04/20 for my risen Lord & Savior
04/21 for my church family
04/22 for Cheerios!
04/23 to be an Administrative Professional at Logos Prep
04/24 for a workplace of uncontrollable laughter
04/25 for days with sunroof open on the way to work
04/26 for Little League
04/27 for friends that are fun to hang out with
04/28 for kind texts
04/29 for birthday celebrations
04/30 that my kids can do a lot for themselves
05/01 for my home state
#californialove
05/02 for good advice
05/03 that I was born on this day!
05/04 that my husband puts a lot of effort into serving
05/05 that God comes through in mysterious ways
05/06 for the teachers who pour into my kids #thankateacher
05/07 for a few more pounds gone
05/08 for all of the precious elementary kids who are enjoying their
last day of school
@LogosPrep today.
05/09 for the AWESOME junior high and high school kids who are
celebrating their last day of
school @LogosPrep today #lovemyjob
05/10 for quality time with my in-laws #family
05/11 for crawfish!
05/12 for my sweet Abby girl, born on this day 9 years ago!
05/13 for my mother-in-law, and special time I get to spend with
her.
05/14 that I got to be a part of the #classof2014
05/15 for leftovers in the Crock Pot #mmm
05/16 for @LogosPrep seniors!
05/17 for the opportunity to meet new neighbors
05/18 that I will do things I do not like for people I love
05/19 I made an appointment
05/20 that I can afford a sick day
05/21 that I’m feeling better!
05/22 for “ponytail days”
05/23 for flowers
05/24 that my husband knows my insecurities and helps me battle them
05/25 to sit by my husband in church
05/26 for the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice, not
just that I might live, but
that I would live free.
05/27 for a loving Heavenly Father who always comes through
05/28 for sunshine and rain (at the same time!)
05/29 all of this on my calendar is about to slow down
05/30 for peace and quiet… when I can get it
05/31 that the year is half over!
06/01 for the financial blessings I have been given to enjoy (1
Timothy 6:17)
06/02 that my husband likes my family
06/03 to be wearing jeans in a size smaller than this time last
week! #smallvictories
06/04 for facetime and texting
06/05 my kids have done so well in school
06/06 I get to spend time with my sisters tonight, celebrating my
niece’s graduation! Woohoo!
06/07 for a husband who picks me up when the world knocks me down
06/08 for wisdom in scripture
06/09 for waking up without an alarm clock
06/10 for air conditioning!
06/11 for hump days!
06/12 for shade
06/13 that I can give the kids a list of jobs to do while I’m at
work
06/14 for a willingness to forgive
06/15 for my dad, my step-dad, my grandfathers, and my husband – all
amazing dads!
06/16 that I didn’t chicken out
06/17 for “our song”
06/18 Wes made my coffee
06/19 for VBS!
06/20 for Sugar Creek Baptist Church and all their hard work for VBS
06/21 that I don’t have to go to work today
06/22 that there is just one week between me and my trip to
Nicaragua
06/23 for a day off to run errands and get prepared for the week
ahead
06/24 for the generosity of my work family
06/25 for the thoughtfulness of the folks I work with
06/26 that my work family supports missions
06/27 for Starbucks in Ardmore, Oklahoma
06/28 for last minute preparation
06/29 for the opportunity to serve with @LivingWater in #nicaragua
06/30 for the team that lives in Nicaragua, serving with
@LivingWater every day
07/01 for worship in different languages
07/02 for lessons in forgiveness
07/03 for cute Nicaraguan babies!
07/04 for freedom
07/05 for nuevas experiencias
07/06 that washing machines can get stinky mud out!
07/07 for the kindness of strangers
07/08 to be back at work, sharing my experiences.
07/09 for cold, clean drinking water
07/10 for summer work hours
07/11 for Fridays!
07/12 for sunshine
07/13 for my church – a place to have fun!
07/14 for my sweet friend, Jill.
Happy birthday!
07/15 for temporary distractions
07/16 for 16 years of first dates with an amazing man #lovemyhusband
07/17 for quick getaways
07/18 for sweet memories
07/19 for romance
07/20 for home
07/21 for sturdy luggage
07/22 for time to clean out my inbox
07/23 for the man who held my hand through 24 hours of labor and
pain 15 years ago today
#lovemyhusband
07/24 for my beautiful first-born son, born 15 years ago today
(Psalm 127:4-5)
07/25 to have opportunities to travel and sight-see
07/26 for my vision
07/27 for friends that I look forward to spending time with
07/28 for sunscreen and flip-flops
07/29 for fun trips to Mexico with friends!
07/30 for Puerto Vallarta!
07/31 for poolside margaritas and guacamole
08/01 for people I trust to watch my kids J
08/02 that I have the freedom to travel
08/03 for lifelong friendships
08/04 that my husband loves me just the way I am
08/05 for spa treatments
08/06 for passports
08/07 for pay days
08/08 that I don’t have to work hard
08/09 for Saturdays with the family
08/10 that I don’t have to parent alone
08/11 for my partner in crime ;)
08/12 for all the “little lions” that start their first day back to
school @LogosPrep today!
08/13 for love and friendship
08/14 for the super sweetness of the bruises in bananas
08/15 for my flexible work schedule
08/16 for tan lines
08/17 for Sunday lunch
08/18 for all the hours spent cleaning my house – it means I have
plenty of room!
08/19 that I have extra money at the end of my pay check!
08/20 for people God puts in my path to teach me more about Him
08/21 for the challenges that make me stronger
08/22 for pay days!
08/23 for access to food…
08/24 for digital photography
08/25 for coupons!
08/26 that I am needed
08/27 for modern dentistry
08/28 that I can play a vital role
08/29 that I am available for my family
08/30 for fall baseball
08/31 for fried pickles
09/01 for all the teachers I work with
09/02 for long-distance learning and “webinars” in my jammies
09/03 that “old dogs” can learn new tricks
09/04 that I love working @LogosPrep
09/05 that I can start putting out fall decorations
09/06 for fall Saturday traditions
09/07 for Sunday routines
09/08 for quiet moments
09/09 for a blank calendar
09/10 I am on time
09/11 for fall flavors
09/12 for Pumpkin Spice Lattes
09/13 for football!
09/14 that last week is behind me
09/15 for clean, healthy teeth
09/16 for a little grace when it is needed most
09/17 for a marriage filled with love and joy
09/18 for protection from elements
09/19 for a nap during a thunderstorm
09/20 that my husband is compassionate
09/21 for a message about fear, worry, and anxiety (Psalm 56:3)
09/22 that Brian is finally at peace
09/23 for immeasurable grace
09/24 for the reassurance that “We know that all things work
together for good to them that
love God, to them who are the called according
to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
09/25 that “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
(Psalm 147:3)
09/26 for closure
09/27 for strength
09/28 for my church family, their love & support, and their
encouragement
09/29 that no one minds when I sleep with the lights on
09/30 that I have somewhere to go after I sit in all this traffic
10/01 that fall weather is coming!
10/02 that God is bigger than cancer
10/03 for sunshine and warm temperatures
10/04 for the power of prayer
10/05 for the rock higher than I
10/06 that all I ever have to be is what He made me to be
10/07 for open minds and open hearts
10/08 for small groups – perfect groups of imperfect people
10/09 for responsibilities
10/10 that the sun rose again
10/11 for college football
10/12 for opportunities to worship
10/13 for oatmeal cookies
10/14 that I did not have to grow up without both parents
10/15 for things that are pumpkin flavored
10/16 for Halloween decorations
10/17 that it is fall!
10/18 for Rotel dip
10/19 for a good night’s sleep
10/20 that things are getting better
10/21 for someone to talk to
10/22 for a loving partner
10/23 that I can combat jealousy
10/24 that I chose joy
10/25 that November is almost here!
10/26 for Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin
10/27 that I can work from home
10/28 that I am not running late
10/29 for birthday celebrations with co-workers!
10/30 for fall clothes
10/31 for silliness and fun!
11/01 that November is here!
11/02 that Germany is only 2 weeks away!
11/03 for plans that fall neatly into place
11/04 that my husband lets me work
11/05 for my small group, and their desire to serve
11/06 for cell phones
11/07 for Facebook
11/08 for snuggly socks
11/09 for scarves!
11/10 for new friends
11/11 for technology
11/12 that someone is looking out for my online health
11/13 for pay checks!
11/14 for hard work paying off
11/15 for professionally trained pilots and crew
11/16 for international trips!
11/17 for the welcoming spirit of foreign cultures
11/18 for Berlin!
11/19 for the lessons learned through history
11/20 for new experiences
11/21 for safe travel
11/22 for washing machines
11/23 for lazy Sundays
11/24 for an employer that values family time
11/25 the kids are in their last day of school for Thanksgiving!
11/26 for family traditions
11/27 for Thanksgiving dinner with people I love
11/28 for digital books
11/29 that there’s no place like home…
11/30 for my far-away parking space – because my two legs will carry
me the distance
12/01 for electronic calendar reminders
12/02 for Excel and spreadsheets
12/03 for “unanswered” prayers
12/04 for the students and their families @LogosPrep
12/05 for Fridays spent in my pajamas
12/06 for Saturdays also spent in my pajamas
12/07 for Christmas decorations
12/08 for online shopping
12/09 for health and safety
12/10 for support from my dearest friends
12/11 that God never leaves me
12/12 for Christmastime traditions
12/13 for Christmas lights!
12/14 for a life well-lived (rest in peace, Loran)
12/15 that there are only 10 more days…
12/16 for Christmas songs
12/17 for my precious Wesley, born 11 years ago today!
12/18 for Christmas cookies!
12/19 that we can be comforted by family
12/20 for military honors given to a deserving man
12/21 for opportunities to turn lemons into lemonade
12/22 for long drives
12/23 that our long drive is over!
12/24 for 16 years of marriage to the man God made just for me #lovemyhusband
12/25 for the birth of our blessed Savior and King
12/26 for the invitations from friends
12/27 for the outdoors
12/28 for speedy transportation!
12/29 for help with household chores
12/30 for sticky notes!
12/31 for
another year behind me…
