Thankful in spite of.....

For the past couple of weeks, people on my facebook have been posting the things they are thankful for. I considered joining the "fun", but to be honest...I've not been feeling very thankful lately.

A lot of things have happened in the past year that haven't been all that great. Sometimes I find myself wallowing in it, which serves no purpose other than to really make me feel crappy! The latest in the long list of "crappy" things is that we found out 3 or so weeks ago that my oldest sister, Becky has breast cancer. So, I've been thinking.....what is there to be Thankful for anyway? I figured I would blog (something I haven't done is quite some time) and try to think of all the things I have to be thankful for.

* I'm thankful for my husband. For all that he does to help out around the house.
* I'm thankful for my 2 great kids, who love me unconditionally.
* I'm thankful that I am finally finished with school!!!
* I'm thankful that God provided the PERFECT Medical Transcription job for me and that I love it!
* I'm thankful that I have a great boss.
* I'm thankful that my nephew Ben's lymphoma is in remission and that he is doing so well.
* I'm thankful that my sisters cancer was found early.
* I'm thankful for my parents, and that we live close to them.
* I'm thankful for a nice home.
* I'm thankful that even though my husband has been unemployed for over a year, we have never gone hungry and our bills are paid.
* I'm thankful for high speed internet, without which I would not be able to work from home or listen to awesome sermon's by Pastor Rob Gates! He has been doing a series on suffering that has been a balm to my soul! I don't know how to link to the website from here but the web address is www.lafayettealliance.org if you want to listen to these wonderful, uplifting messages.
* I'm thankful for friends that take the time to ask me how I am doing, and really want to hear the truth, not just the typical "I'm fine".
* I'm thankful for my dogs and birds. What a blessing pets are!
* I'm thankful that I am able to homeschool my kids. What a blessing it is to be with my children all day, every day!
* I'm thankful for Thanksgiving, because it makes us stop and consider all the things we have to be thankful for!
* Mostly, I am thankful that God chose me to be one of His children. I am thankful for the gift of salvation. I am thankful that Jesus was willing to die for my sins. I am thankful that God forgives and forgets my sins when I come to Him in repentance. I am thankful that even when life is tough and it gets me down, I have a God that is working all things out for my good and His glory.

I guess I have a lot to be thankful for after all! :)