It’s a bit of a habit now. Honestly, I started my “30 days of Gratitude” because of Facebook. It wasn’t my idea — I copied from a friend, but it has been an amazing blessing and a reminder to be grateful.

A couple of years ago, I made a point to sit down at my computer each day during November and list something for which I was thankful. I’m doing it again this year, although I am adding pictures to go with my words. There are times when each of us needs to take stock of our situation and seek to find the good things. And there are times when we need to review the hard times, see our growth through the difficulties, and celebrate that good can come from struggle.

This year I want to move beyond the “simple” list that most of us recite when asked to share the things for which we are grateful. The list of “simple” things includes things like family, home, food, and friends. While I am thankful for each of these things in general, I want to move beyond the “general.” I need to get to the specifics, to the life changing, to the profound, to the holy.

God blessed me with the family that I prayed for. An amazing man welcomed me into his life and his heart. He protects, comforts, provides, encourages, and cherishes me. I always wanted to be feel cherished, and God answered the desire of my heart. Being close as a family is vitally important to me. We come to understand the family of God by living in an earthly family. I wanted my children to experience a Godly father and a home that was dedicated to serving the Lord. God allowed that to be reflected in our home. I always hoped that someday I would feel protected. Our sons have learned to be protective of me by watching their dad. Not only are they protective, but their actions show thought and care. I am grateful for each one.

I was raised with that good old puritan work ethic. Staying busy is important… and fulfilling. Work is a treasure. Whether it is the work of cleaning our home, planning and preparing meals, preparing a sermon, or teaching a class (or six of them) of 25 rowdy sixth graders, I enjoy what I do. Bad days definitely come, but every task that has been set before me has value and I find joy in the work. But I am also thankful for those other jobs that I have had: babysitter, store clerk, janitor, secretary, recreation director, day care worker, and receptionist. Every opportunity, every challenge has taught me something. I’ve learned diligence, that hard work is its own reward, that dirty dishes mean we had food to eat, and dirty clothes are evidence of God’s provision and busy days. I am grateful for work — whatever form it may take because it means God trusted me to be His hands and feet in this world.

Cooking is a hobby for me. I love to experiment and thanks to the Food Network, I’m getting pretty creative. Not everything has been successful (please don’t ask about the elk stew), but most things have been interesting — at least. God made so much bounty for us to enjoy. In California, we had grapes, apricots, tangerines, persimmons, and pomegranates all growing in our yard. (Honestly, I still can’t stand persimmons!) Asparagus grew on the ditch banks around our farm when I was growing up. My grandmother would fix it with a white sauce and boiled eggs. Yum. These days I love it hot off the grill. Spinach — fresh, green, crisp, delicious. Squash — zucchini, butternut, yellow, patty pan… all of it tasty and nutritious. And now, we can go to the store and when the price is right, we can buy almost anything we want. How blessed we are. God’s provision is varied, abundant, and amazing. Gratitude is the only appropriate response to this bounty.

Like most people in this world, I don’t like pain, feeling left out, being betrayed, losing the people I love, or struggling financially. But it is in situations like these that I see God at work. He heals pain, helps me to belong, and reminds me that I am His. God brings friends into my life, mends relationships, and provides for every need. More than anything, I am grateful that He loves me, that He chose me, that I am His.

Would you do me a favor? Look deeply into your heart, review your life, and consider the things for which you are most grateful. I challenge you to look beyond the surface to identify the life changing, the profound, the holy. Celebrate these gifts in your life; and during this month of Thanksgiving, be grateful.