What I am thankful for.

I am thankful for the freedoms that we enjoy in America, that we do not live under a rule that does not allow us to speak our mind – even though a minority of American citizens are trying to suppress any freedom of speech that has anything to do with Christian beliefs including banning the term "Christmas Tree". As Charlie Brown from the Peanuts says "Oh Good Grief!" Give it a rest and give it up. Freedom of speech means freedom for EVERYONE, not just everyone except for Christians and people with strong patriotic beliefs. I find it ironic that the very people who are against censorship for child pornography/pedophilia such as NAMBLA ("but it’s freedom of speech"), putting a cross in a jar of pee and calling it art ("but it’s freedom of speech") and all kinds of profanity, pornography and anti-patriotism ("but it’s freedom of speech") are so pro-censorship against those with right-wing, conservative, patriotic, Christian beliefs ("but it’s offending me").

I am thankful for a place to go and worship they way I believe and for a pastor who doesn’t water down the Gospel message and who proclaims the Truth. I am thankful that my church doesn’t try to preach what is "popular" instead of what is right. I am thankful that Emily loves her Sunday school class and can’t get enough of being taught about God and Jesus and the stories in the Bible. I am thankful for the community and caring of this outreach church.

I am thankful for a job to go to that I enjoy, a roof over my head, enough food to eat, clean clothes to wear, a car to drive and the ability to have some money in the bank.

I’m thankful for our military men and women who put their life on the line to keep those who would choose to kill me and my family just because we’re American away from these shores. I’m thankful for the sacrifices they make so that my daughter won’t be sacrificed for a misguided, fanatical belief that she is part of the “great satan”. I’m thankful for their families who have to deal with their absences, who sacrifice too in being without their military loved one, who hold their breath every time the phone rings or there’s a knock on the front door. – waiting for the worst, praying for the best.

I’m extremely thankful for my daughter. She is my miracle, the joy in my life, the light in my spirit. Her every breath, her every word, her every laugh is music to my ears. Her hugs, kisses and smiles are more precious than the rarest gems. I was told after she was born that I should not have really been able to get pregnant b/c of some previously undiagnosed "female issues" and for that, she is all the more precious and a miracle in my eyes. I had prayed and prayed for a child with specific characteristics and God gave me all that I asked for and even more. Emily is my life, the very best part of it. I also am thankful that Emily has such a heart for God and Jesus and by the depth of her already evident love for Them.

I am thankful for my husband. Though we are struggling in our marriage, I do love him, I know that he would be there for me in a heartbeat if I needed help and I am thankful that he is such a good father to Emily. He would give his life for her, and it shows. Without Matt, there would be no Emily in my life.

I am thankful for two very special friends here in and around town. They keep me grounded, they keep me sane, they keep me laughing and smiling and encourage me through the tough times. They are true blue friends, no matter how much time goes between us talking or getting together. Friends like these come once in a blue moon. Amy and MC, I truly am thankful for you this holiday season and at all times. Y’all are truly wonderful friends and amazing women!

I am thankful for my friends on the Omega Letter. In them I have found a family in Christ. They are encouragers, sympathizers and practical, grounded advice givers. They love the Lord like I do and come from all different walks of life, probably at least half of them former Catholics. Without them I would not be where I am spiritually today. I would be lost and floundering and feeling like I didn’t have a purpose. They have helped me to see what my purpose in Christ is and give me strength to be more bold in proclaiming it. You all are a big blessing in my life.

I am thankful for my family. For my mom especially. I am thankful for her understanding, her patience, her unconditional and unwavering love. I am thankful for the extremely close bond that we have and that she is still cancer-free after 3+ years. I am thankful for the close bond that most of my entire family shares. By their common beliefs, morals and values. I truly feel that when I go visit them in Minnesota and Iowa that I am home.

I am thankful for the memory of my father. My dad had a lot of mental issues, but I never once was in doubt that he loved me. In the darkest depths of my dad’s clinical depression and severe OCD, he wrote the most profound truths about God. It was like in his depths was when God spoke to him the most. I am thankful that my dad was a Christian and that I will see him again in heaven.

I am thankful most of all to and for God. I am thankful for the abundant love of the Creator for us that He sent His only son to die on the cross, completely blameless and innocent yet willing to take the sins of the world upon Himself and be the sacrifice for us as He did with our sins upon Himself. I am thankful to Jesus for knowing my name and my sins on the cross and, even so, being willing to give up His life for mine so that I can have the promise of eternal life in heaven. I am thankful that the precious blood of Jesus has washed away the sin that stained my soul and left me clean and pure. I am thankful that my God gives me the promise of everlasting joy and that He stays with me no matter what trials come across my path and gives me the comfort and peace I need in the midst of those trials. I am thankful for those trials because they help me to develop character. I am thankful for a God who loves me just as I am but also loves me too much to leave me that way. I am thankful that because of my salvation that when I fall at times, I do not fall from grace or His forgiveness. I am thankful that no matter what I do that if I confess and repent of those sins that I am forgiven and that God remembers them no more. I am thankful that God always loves me even though I do not deserve it. I am thankful for the Holy Spirit who is my conscience and my guide and who gently speaks to me about the areas of my life that need to change and who also keeps me from doing the things that I should not do by letting me know in my heart that it is wrong. I am thankful that because of God’s mercies that I have never been in great need. I am thankful that God spoke to the heart of my precious daughter and that she made her decision for Christ early in her life.

And, last but not least, I am thankful for you, my blog readers. You keep coming back and reading, whether or not you agree with my views and opinions. I hope you know the love and comfort of family and friends this holiday season and year round and that, if you do not already, will come to know the immense love and contentment and warmth that can be found through a personal relationship with our Lord, Jesus Christ, the savior of the world.