A Thankful Heart

This morning as I dropped my youngest off at school and  I was driving home, it was dark and chilly but God's presence was so real. I came home to a quiet, empty house. I poured me a big cup of steaming, hot coffee and grabbed the first blanket I found. I headed outside to my back porch and snuggled into a chair to watch the sunrise. As I sat and watched God do His thing, I rested in the peace of that moment.


I am thankful for moments like that. As I wrapped the blanket tightly around me to keep warm, I noticed which blanket I had grabbed. Don't you love how objects and smells and sights evoke memories so easily. The blanket was one we had bought in California on a family vacation. We had spent a few days in Los Angeles and were driving up the coast to San Francisco. We had stopped in a beach town along the way. We had our swim suits within reach but all of our beach towels were packed in a suitcase that wasn't easily accessible. So we went into a little shop and bought this particular beach blanket. We sat on the beach and enjoyed the view. I remember it was extremely hot and we did not hang out long before we started our drive again.


As we headed away from that beach we drove toward a more rural part of the state. As we drove, I noticed that I was getting chilly. We turned off the air conditioning but it was still noticeably colder. We looked at the temperature setting on the car and it was about 20 degrees cooler within a very short amount of time. By the time we arrived at the next town, it was cold. We had to change out of our swim suits and put on sweat shirts. We used the same blanket again, but this time to wrap up in as we enjoyed the view.


Life changes quickly too. Sometimes we can be enjoying the comfortable and warm view of life and within a matter of hours or days we can be wrapped up in our uncomfortable and chilly view of life. But just like we used the same blanket to help us comfortably take in both scenes, God provides consistent comfort also. His provision and protection are available in all areas of our lives. We can stretch out and bask in the warmth of His blessings and we can wrap up and stay warm in the safety of His protection. He is able. He is faithful. He is always present.


As we enter into this month of Thanksgiving, I find myself basking in the realization of all of the things I have to be thankful for. Even though life is swirling and busy and changing, this morning He once again reminded me that in all things I should give thanks. A thankful heart is contagious. A thankful heart is content. A thankful heart sees life in perspective. A thankful heart appreciates others. A thankful heart loves at all times. A thankful heart forgives and sees the good. A thankful heart gives back. A thankful heart rests in the peace that passes all understanding.


I am thankful for my family. I am thankful for my friends. I am thankful for this day and the opportunities that it brings. Think about what you are thankful for today, too. Wrap up in the warmth and protection of Jesus and be blessed.

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; 

I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. 

Psalm 9:1