For Which I Am Thankful, In No Particular Order

1. Whole Foods. Both the actual whole foods (created by God) and the Market (created by some guy in Austin , Texas). Despite the fact that I waited until today (!) to make out my Thanksgiving menu and grocery shop, Whole Foods Market was well-stocked with delicious whole foods (heh) and not insanely crowded. Yes, I know it’s pricey, but their food has no disgusting ingredients and their customer service is unbeatable. They actually appear to WANT my business. Unlike the other grocery store in town where the baggers roll their eyes when I ask them to put the cold stuff together. I’m actually thankful for that grocery store, too. But not really the eye-rolling baggers.

2. My Baby Girl, who turned five on Monday.

3. A Pony Party for that Baby Girl, that went off without a hitch.

4. No book contracts or ministry obligations that take me away from my family. I know that sounds strange, considering I’m a writer and a minister and I’ve prayed for book contracts and ministry obligations. But it has been very refreshing the last few months to relax a bit, realizing no one is holding a gun to my head if don’t write a blog post or fail to build my platform. Not that guns would normally be involved…

5. Friends who continue to pass their boy clothes on to my boy. I think this last batch was three full garbage bags, which was enough to clothe Elijah AND my 9-year-old nephew for the next year. In fact, since Elijah was born, I have had to buy him only a handful of items, thanks to these friends and others who pass clothes to me.

6. A young girl who decided not to abort her baby, but instead, made the brave and loving decision to place her baby for adoption with my very good friends. Friends who have been trying to get pregnant and/or adopt for like EVER. This was the best news I’ve gotten in a long time.

7. My other friend, who happens to be the doctor who treated this young girl who came in for an abortion. But instead of performing an abortion, my friend lovingly shared with her information on adoption—and then prayed like crazy. I prayed, too. I am thankful for doctors and friends who love God and love life.

8. My son, who prays like nobody’s business for babies saved from abortion and couples who want to adopt them.

9. Elijah’s basketball coach. He survived a series of strokes two weeks ago, and is doing very well. Very scary for a guy who is about my age. We love Coach Z. Can’t imagine things without him.

10. A husband who promises to stay with me forever, even when I’m mean. I know, you can’t imagine me being mean. It’s rare.

11. A little girl/young lady, who loves to cook and has pledged to help her Momma in the kitchen at Thanksgiving time. Which I am very much looking forward to.

12. And finally, all the things I take for granted every day. There are thousands of things, actually, but these are the few that come to my mind right now: my soft king-sized bed, coffee, my health, my car, food, a home, friends, my church, my blender, freedom, good books, my Kitchen-Aid Mixer, family, great neighbors, my house, people who read this blog, my washer and dryer, hot water, toilets, my giant brown blanket and my lap top.

Amen.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.