Thankful Thursdays Top Ten [#21]

In attempt to tell the Christmas Blues to take a hike I'm going to mediate on the specific things I've gotten stressed out over this last week by. Looking at the bright side of them instead. I encourage you to do the same.

Thankful This Week For:

1. Health

Myself, My husband, and my kids. I know a lot of people right now battling everything from the flu to cancer.

2. Comforts of Home

We're warm, fed and have plenty of things to entertain us. Although I've been mainly focusing on all the cleaning, organizing, unpacking and packing I have to do...I should be grateful for a) having things and b) the ability to travel and see family.

3. Christmas

Christ came for me. I've heard and read about all this Christmas stress, but I don't think it every really "hit" me personally until this year. I did most of my shopping already, but have been stressing over who is left and all the wrapping I haven't done. Not to mention all the Christmas activities I didn't participate in and or "withheld" from my children. I want them to experience all-things-holiday, but every year that's not a reality and I should be thankful they know about Christ in Christmas even if they don't get to make cookies all day with me.

4. Family & Friends

It's a lot of work to keep up with all of them, buy gifts for all of them, and do things for all of them, but I wouldn't be who I am without them. I'm so thankful for family and friends who give and deposit into my life. I often wonder if I'm stretched too thin in this area, but am always thankful for His grace to love on and receive love from more people than I think would be naturally possible.

5. My Tiny House

I feel like such a brat. Okay, I am. I am really missing that 1500 sq ft apartment that lacked all our stuff. Moving back into our 1000 sq ft has not only been a transition for us, but brought to the surface some bitterness in my heart. Why Charles? Why God? Honestly, I'm ashamed. Jesus thank you for your forgiveness as I have had a terrible attitude. I am so blessed. My house protects us from the weather, is beautiful, warm, has been faithful to us, and provides just enough room for us. 

It's not an abundance of room, but it's where we are and it's our own. There are plenty of people out there [like Jesus was] that didn't have a place to call theirs. My backyard has been wonderful to have back and I'm thankful for the warmer-than-Ohio weather for the kids to play with. I've been probably most stressed about the messes in this house this week. The kids stuff is everywhere instead of contained in our beloved Ohio playroom. I feel defeated and told my mom yesterday I was on cleaning strike until the kids fell asleep.

6. My Ability to Give

We have extra, and I want to do something meaningful for the Kingdom with it. I feel like in all the shopping and mess of the holidays I've forgotten to give Jesus something for HIS birthday. How awful to have a party for someone and buy a gift for everyone, but Him. I sorry Lord. Please show me someone, or something to give to that would be just like giving directly to you. I want to rid myself of materialism, selfishness and general greed.

7. Jesus

Not to be corny, but man am I glad He's always around to just listen to me, love me and take me back when I've been a brat. I regretly haven't spent as much time with him as I have been lately and it's shown itself in my attitude, words and deeds. I'm so thankful for the reminder that "Candra" isn't herself without Jesus time. So if you normally like me, it isn't me, it's the Lord. Believe me, you don't want to get to know the too-busy-for-Jesus-time Candra. Ask my kids & husband.

8. 2010

I'm thankful for a year of transition, repositioning, restoration, and repentance. I am thankful that although it had some very dark times, it had some very light times. I'm so thankful for the things God has taught me, refined in me, shown me, awaken in me. I'm having to continue to walk in forgiveness and repentance from bad decisions Charles and I have made this year. Thank you Lord for a wiser, more loving 2011.

9. All I Have To Do

How sad and pitiful to complain about "all these gifts I have to wrap" or "all these cards I have to sort through" or "all these parties and people I have to go to". I'm blessed. I'm so blessed to have the people and things in my life. So what if I have to work hard or do things, it could be a lot worse.

10. My Husband

I'm thankful for someone who loves me so genuinely and works hard too...not just at work..but at our marriage. I have really been in a funk these last few days I'm thankful that although I've been rude, unloving, and short a few times recently he's prayed...loved...and waited. Sometimes I don't know whats wrong and sometimes he can't do anything to "fix it", but he tries and I'm thankful he doesn't give up on me just because I'm hard sometimes.

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Linking up at You Capture today

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Every week I invite my friends in blogworld to join me in being thankful. 

[1] write a blog post with 10 things you're thankful for this week

[2] mention this blog post [hyperlink my blog and/or grab my button]

[3] use McLinky below by clicking on "Click here to enter"

You don't have to do it on Thursdays. You can do it any day of the week. Call it whatever you want. Be creative...use words, pictures, poems, etc. Come back throughout the week and read other's lists and make new friends.
Ask others to join too. 

Thanks for participating and being patient as "we" grow.