Happy Thanksgiving!

Yay! The day of delicious and abundant food is finally here!! I have been eagerly awaiting the garlic mashed potatoes and 3 cheese artichoke dip that will be consumed shortly! Although I can DEFINITELY say I am thankful for the food, I am also thankful for many other things:

• Despite the hard work and standing for 9 hours, I am thankful that I have a job and get paid so I can save money, make my car payments, and go to the movies
• I am thankful for family and having people that I can spend the holidays with and be myself around
• I am thankful for the opportunities that I have had to travel and see the world; different perspectives, different cultures, and different sights
• I am thankful that I have a high school diploma and a college degree 
• I am thankful for my friends who encourage me, who listen to me, and who laugh & cry with me
• I am thankful for warm weather and the sun that shines
• Despite my strong dislike of the cold, I am thankful for the beautiful and unique snowflakes that fall ever so softly and create a blanket of snow
• I am thankful for warm cups of tea and hot chocolate when it's freezing 

But most of all.... I am thankful for a Savior who gives me life; who chose to sacrifice His in order to forgive me and give me immense GRACE that I could never earn. I am thankful for a Savior who unconditionally loves me and is always with me; who gives me hope for a future spent in eternity with Him. I am thankful for the encouragement of my church body and the people who have invested time in me and loved and cared about me. I am thankful for times of worship, music, and teaching. 

When I was reading verses about Thanksgiving, I came across Psalm 100:4-5. This is such a good reminder of what our response to God should look like on a daily basis; giving thanks for His never-ending love and faithfulness.

Psalm 100:4-5  

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever, His faithfulness continues through all generations" 

Have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving :)