The List

A month or so before Thanksgiving, my Dad challenged me and my siblings to make a list of everything we're thankful for.

He based his request off of this story.

Of course my competitive nature kicked in, and I immediately went to work on my family's list, determined to beat my brothers and sisters.

But then, a couple weeks into the list, something happened.

I started to change.

Instead of grumbling about every little hardship, I became a lot more cheerful. It was hard to be negative when I was constantly focused on my blessings, always on the hunt for another one to add to the list.

When an old blanket shredded in the washing machine and scattered pieces all over the laundry room, I was grateful it wasn't a blanket anyone in my family was attached to.

When my husband and the missionaries ate every last bite of dinner before I got home from work, I was grateful that the soup I had improvised that morning had turned out so good (but I was a little mad that I hadn't gotten to try it).

When my children woke me up before sunrise, I was grateful that I could open my eyes to see their beautiful, smiling faces.

When days I thought I would spend with my husband were spent with him working for hours at his side job, I was grateful that he loves me enough to do everything he can so I can eventually stay home with our kids.

And so the list grew. Even on my worst days, I found so much to be grateful for it overwhelmed me.

Our final count: 1,055 things to be grateful for.

But that's only because Thanksgiving came and I forced myself to stop.

I am trying to keep that spirit of gratitude with me. I am a much happier person when I focus on the good in my life instead of the bad. And there is so much good.

The Lord loves us. If we just open our eyes to see His blessings, we will find them all around.

Grateful for gratitude,
The Brown-Eyed Girl