30 Days of Thankful -- Day 10

Well today I'm going to try something new.  Since the purpose of this challenge is to be "thankful in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:18), today I'm going to be thankful for things that I might have a tendency to complain about.  Maybe if I make myself focus on them, and find the good in them, I will find myself complaining less.  Here's hoping, anyway :)

Have a great day!
~Heather~

1. Personal
I'm going to be thankful for all the gray hairs I have.  I looked in the mirror today and was amazed!  But so what!  I have gray hair.  I'm in my 30s.  I'm not a teenager anymore.  I have a husband, and I take care of 3 little kids.  I clean my home, I cook meals, I do our laundry, I lead our church's children's ministry, I lead a bible study, I take kids to school, I take my daughter to ballet and my son to tae kwon do.  I'm a wife, mother, daughter, and friend.  I'm busy!  And sometimes stressed!  But if these gray hairs are a sign that I have a full life, then bring 'em!  I wouldn't change my life for the world.  It doesn't mean that I won't go to the salon and have them dyed, but I refuse to stress over them anymore!

2. Work/School
I thankful for my washing machine.  I've often been heard complaining about doing laundry, or even about the machine itself.  I am not a fan of front-loading washers.  But  this morning, as I was taking yet another load of clothes out of the washer, God reminded me that this would have been a whole lot longer, and more difficult, process 150-200+ years ago.  Laundry was back-breaking work.  Bending over a wash tub full of steaming hot water, scrubbing clothes on a washboard sounds like a nightmare!  I'm thankful I can do my laundry indoors....and I don't have to do the actual washing.

3.  Church
Alright, so I'm veering away from my original intention of being thankful for things I'm not always thankful for.  I am definitely thankful for the people in this category today.  I'm thankful for each and every children's ministry volunteer at my church.  It wouldn't be possible to minister each week to the almost 30 kids in the program.  I can't, and don't, do it alone.  I may not say thank you often as I should -- in fact, I know I don't -- but I appreciate the hard work each and every one of you do to teach these kids the importance of a relationship with Jesus.

4.  Family
Once again, straying from my original intentions.  I am always thankful for this next person!  My Mom is my biggest fan, my best friend, my fiercest advocate.  I don't know what I'd do without her, and I hope I never find out.  She has always been there for me.  When I was little, she made sure we had what we needed.  She helped us however she could.  As an adult, she still does the same thing.  She watches the kids if we ask.  She's even taken vacation time from work so my husband and I could go away for my birthday, or for our anniversary.  She's kind and unselfish.  She makes me laugh, and never just tells me I'm right when I'm not.  I respect her opinion.  I am thankful for my Mom today.  I love you, Mom!