Thankful Thursday

Prairie Prologue reminded me that it’s Thankful Thursday. She linked to the carnival hub at Sting My Heart.So I pause, in my thinking and learning and reading and writing and cleaning and planning, to give thanks:

• Laughter from upstairs. Two children putting dresses on stuffed animals.
• Neighborhood swimming pool. Having one’s own pool sounds like a lot of fun, but sharing the cost with neighbors and knowing there are lifeguards on duty is a mighty fine alternative.
• Books, books, books! Whether I’m enjoying the story of a fiction book or ideas and information from nonfiction, I’m grateful for books…and for the people who write and publish them.
• Blogs. What did we bloggers do before there were blogs? I guess we journaled. Or we just kept all of those words bottled up inside {shudder}.
• Modern Medicine. Eleven years ago, Belgian doctors accurately diagnosed and operated on The Belgian Wonder, saving his life after his aortic valve was destroyed by a bacterial infection. Today, strangely, his brother-in-law is in the same Belgian hospital, while doctors treat a dangerous infection in his leg. We also await the outcome of a friend’s cancer treatment. As we wait and pray, we’re grateful that God has allowed for advances in antibiotics and other technology and medicines–some of the many means by which surgeons and doctors can treat illness and disease.
• Dishwasher. Although we could live without a dishwasher and wash our plates and cups by hand, I’m still grateful to have the helping hand of our machine. We were able to find a water- and energy-efficient model, reducing my guilt at the frequent loading and unloading we deal with some days.
• Washing Machine. While we could certainly wash dishes by hand, I shudder to imagine washing clothes by hand. I know it can be done and was done for millenia and is done in other countries even now, but wow. I guess I’m a spoiled, soft, American housewife. The thought of washing by hand–such a lot of work! I’m so grateful to be able to run the clothes through the machine (which also happens to be an energy- and water-efficient model, by the way).
• Clothesline. I really like hanging clothes to dry during the summer months. We’ve strung a clothesline between a tree and the swingset, and I can hang up three loads a day if I need to. I love heading out there with the basket loaded down, our happy dog padding along beside me and flopping down to chew on a stick while I clip our T-shirts and shorts onto the line. It’s quiet. I ponder and pray.
• Bibles. The fact that I can use the plural to write that word is something to be grateful for. In some countries, to have a complete copy of the book of John to study would be marvelous. I have all 66 books of the Bible in more than one version! I have my main Bible, and another that is broken down into portions to read through in a year. And I have a small one that was a gift to me years ago that can fit in a purse. And I have the King James version I bought for myself when I was in junior high. And the Living Bible that I bought after I didn’t understand the King James. So many translations to choose from–all in my own home. I am so thankful to have such extravagant access to the written word of God. I should be poring over it.
• Food. Following news of the global food crisis leaves me grateful to have enough money to buy supplies at the grocery. 
• Goodwill. The store, as well as the attitude. The Goodwill store has been the first place I stop when we’re interested in shopping for clothes or household items. Sometimes we turn up a single blouse or an interesting tray for the kitchen. However, every once in a while, we hit the jackpot. So, whoever donated the queen-sized purple Pottery Barn crinkle puff bedspread–I could kiss you! Thanks, also, for the coordinating summer-weight quilt. And the purple floor lamp. You helped me affordably redecorate the shared bedroom of two girls who longed for that exact quilt.
• All that I need for life and godliness. A friend of mine reminded me of this verse found in 2 Peter (1:3): “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” It’s been so true that just at the right time I’ll be given some word or some reminder that will answer the cry of my heart or a deep questioning of my soul. His divine power has given me everything I need for life and godliness…through my knowledge of Him. 

It’s a good exercise, to stop and be thankful. To turn to the Giver of all good gifts and give thanks.Merci beaucoups, mon Dieu, L’Eternel, Seigneur Jesus.For more thankfulness overflowing on the Internet, visit Sting My Heart.