Thankfulness...

As Thanksgiving season is here we all think of food and pie and the football games and family and many other things that we look forward too. We will also think of what we are thankful for. But why only do this on Thanksgiving? I say so many prayers to God asking for things or complaining about things but hardly do I ever put a second thought to what God has done and say " Thank you." There are so many things that I am thankful for. But also many of them are just objects that will perish sooner or later. What about my faith? What about my friendships? What about my family? What about the lessons I have learned through many trials of various kinds? I am so thankful for how I have seen my faith grow at times. A year ago I would have doubted God. A year ago I did not have the friendships I desired. A year ago I realize now that I did not appreciate what family I have until now. A year ago I did not learn the lessons that God taught me especially in the last month of " Pain in the leg" situation. I have to say while I was in the hospital I was angry at God for the pain I had and still have. I mad that my foot wouldn't move and that I had to be on crutches for a couple weeks. But now I am actually thankful that God brought me through that. I have learned a lot. True I do not feel better at times, but I have learned how to be grateful for what we have. Another thing is that when my family first moved here to plant a church I moved away from my friends and I was really angry at God and hurt. Then I did not have friends for a couple years. I also did not have the friend that I needed and wanted. Then this year God opened the doors for a friend to be a friend that I could spill my guts too and ask her to pray for me and for me to pray for her and for us both to trust each other. We don't see each other often but we talk everyday and I am so thankful for that friendship. And as far as my family, as we have been going through some other trials and going through different things, also seeing kids my age who don't even have families, I am extremely thankful for the family God put me in and I would not change them for nothing. And as for all those things I am thankful for one thing that is much more important that all of those other things. I am thankful that God sent his son to die for me and for my sins. I am thankful that he forgave me and I am his forever. I am thankful that even though I have pain now physically and spiritually and emotionally and mentally I can look forward to not being in pain when I go to heaven. I will end there now. Have a wonderful holiday. 
~ Jordan
"Give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18