Peace and Quiet

I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 69:30

As I’ve thought about these lists, something else occurs to me that I’d like to share. All of our stuff - our possessions, our money, our food, clothing, shelter, EVERYTHING belongs to God. He is gracious and generous enough to allow us to have anything we do have - and even when it seems like we may lose everything, He can replace it. Just ask Job.

Even though the world - and our own actions - make us THINK that WE have provided for ourselves, that’s FALSE. Only God can provide for us. He may ALLOW us to earn a living, and ALLOW us to use our talents to provide for our families - but He is the giver of all good things. We don’t do it alone.

Three things I’m thankful for:

1) My critters. I have one dog as a pet - a beautiful, spoiled rotten 7-year-old German shepherd mix, that we love like a child. She sleeps with us, watches over us, protects us, and runs from screaming fireworks or shotgun blasts. We also have dozens of other critters - but they’re all part of the nature around us. I have DOZENS of funny-looking squirrels that entertain me on a daily basis right outside my window - until we moved here, I’d never seen multi-colored squirrels like this. (You can see a picture of one on my Web site.) We also have lizards - most of them are skinks, but I think there are others I haven’t yet identified. Birds by the hundreds flock here, too, of all shapes and sizes. The largest are the turkey vultures we spotted up in a dead tree one year. I so wish I’d had my camera! God’s creativity with all the different forms of nature is astounding, and I thank Him for sharing some of it with us.

2) My electronics. I always said I was meant to be born during this day and age - I’m a geek. I love my computer, and have been accused of being addicted. I thank God for the technology that allows me to stay connected with my friends and family at the touch of a button.

3) My home. We have a tiny little cabin, set under a magnificent old oak tree. Our house is only one bedroom, but it’s big enough for us most of the time and it just feels so homey. Despite a heat pump that I bad-mouth almost daily during the winter for blowing cold air when I’m freezing, it still keeps us warm and dry. And the big windows allow me to watch the critters in action. I thank God for my home.

What are you thankful for today?

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