Twenty-Six Lists: I'm Thankful For . . .

Welcome to Twenty-Six Lists! I hope you'll join me in this simple link-up, where I share a writing prompt for some kind of list, and invite you to share what's on your list. Your list can be very simple or include lots of explanation; short or long; a bullet point list or essay style. Interpret the list prompts however you like, depending on how much time you have to spend, and how much background you'd like to share. 

I think most of my readers are Americans, and Thanksgiving is still over a month away. But you probably know that in Canada, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October, so just a couple days ago. No matter when our holiday designated for being thankful is celebrated, we seem to emphasize gratitude a bit more during the fall months, don't you think? Whether you celebrated on Monday, will celebrate at the end of November, or (like me!) you celebrate at both times, it's always good to reflect on how blessed we are and to express gratitude for it.

Every day is a day to be thankful. Life's abundance has no limit, and gratitude is what keeps that abundance flowing. In every circumstance there is something for which to be thankful. Even when there seems to be nothing else, there is hope. ~Ralph Marston

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

~Colossians 3:17~

I'm thankful for . . .

Life and good health! I think this comes first on pretty much every list of what I'm thankful for in this moment. Because if I'm writing this - I'm alive and capable of writing it! Even though there are the aches and pains of getting older to deal with, and the occasional sick days and not feeling quite right, overall we are in very good health and grateful for it!

A roof over our heads. The last time I did a Twenty-Six Lists "thankful list" it included my 'dream home' which was my house in Maryland. It was the place I had dreamt of and hoped for around twenty years earlier when we first moved from Canada to the USA and had only a truckload of stuff to our name. (To be fair, I did not ever have a starry-eyed dream of living in Maryland in particular!) Well, fast forward a couple of years from that list and we still own that house but don't live there. I'm often tempted to be discontented or impatient because we now live in an apartment and it doesn't have many of my 'dream home' features, but we are safe and comfortable here and our home and possessions haven't been destroyed by hurricanes or floods or any other natural disaster. I'm also very thankful that we've been able to hold on to that Maryland property and that it's still a home for our kids. 

Always, always thankful for my family! My amazing parents and grandparents set a wonderful example of marriage and parenting. I had a good relationship with my in-laws over the years. Our four children are all wonderful people that love the Lord, and they all get along with each other and as far as I can tell, genuinely enjoy spending time together with each other and with us! We have two wonderful daughters-in-law that we love like our own, and we have two precious granddaughters. The only thing I could ask for is that we didn't live quite so far apart, honestly!

Good friends - or kindred spirits as Anne of Green Gables says. I've been blessed with many generous, loyal, steadfast friends over the years. Friends that are there to laugh with or cry with, to encourage and to challenge. It takes time to build friendships like that, and I'm grateful that those relationships have stood the test of time and even distance, and I'm thankful for the friendships we're starting to build here.

That reminds me, I'm grateful for the technologies that make it possible for friends and family to stay in touch across miles and time zones! Who remembers when a long distance phone call was a significant expense and had to be planned and timed in order to get our money's worth? And back further in history, a handwritten letter was the only option for communicating, and depending on the circumstances, it could takes weeks or months to send. And now we have multiple options for instant messages, or we can email, or FaceTime, or video call if a simple phone call isn't good enough. No long distance charges! We can even call from our car! That's something to be thankful for!

Music and sunsets and flowers and nature . . . all the beautiful things that speak to my heart and remind me that God is good and provides so much beauty and wonder in our world. And gives us the ability to create and enjoy those good things.

Good jobs. Oh sure, sometimes we complain about annoyances at work - everyone does! - but we like our jobs and we have good co-workers, and it's through our jobs that God provides for so many of our needs.

Fun things to do! Even when we have quiet weeks, we have parks to walk in, interesting shows to watch and music to listen to and books to read. It's enjoyable to attend church and a highlight of my week is chorus rehearsal! There are interesting restaurants to try. This week we are going to a hockey game, and will visit friends and family in Ontario (so we get to travel!) and will welcome my parents for a visit. Staying busy with interesting and rewarding things is something to be grateful for!

Praise the LORD! Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, and his loyal love endures! Who can adequately recount the LORD's mighty acts, or relate all his praiseworthy deeds?
~Psalm 106:1-2~

What are you especially thankful for these days? Please share.

The link-up is open for two weeks, with a new prompt every other Tuesday. 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

If you'd like to think further ahead, you can find the list of all prompts for the 2024 Edition of Twenty-Six Lists on A Fresh Cup of Coffee here: Twenty-Six Lists - Accomplishments and Goals

Bonus List: The next few list prompts so you can think ahead!

October 29 - Autumn Menu

November 12 - Blog Reading List

November 26 - Holiday Menu

December 10 - Holiday Ornaments and Memories

December 24 - Holiday Movies and Music

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