Thankfulness

I have been doing a study at my church on the book The Good and Beautiful God by James Bryan Smith and I have really enjoyed it.  In one chapter he talked about thankfulness, and I just wanted to share a few passages that I really liked:

A lecturer to a group of businessmen displayed a sheet of white paper in which was one blot.  He asked what they saw.  All answered, "A blot."  The test was unfair; it invited the wrong answer.  Nevertheless, there is an ingratitude in human nature by which we notice the black disfigurement and forget the widespread mercy.

I fuss about my "cups," little and large (not having enough money to do this or that, a problem at work, a strain in a relationship), and never once stop and thank God that I have eyes to see.  If I lost my sight and had a million dollars, I would gladly pay it to get my eyesight back.  My eyes are worth a million dollars.  So is my heart.  And my ears.  And my wife.  And my children.  If I were wise, I would spend time each day thanking God for the "vast treasure" he has given me.  I could start, but I could never stop.

He goes on to suggest that we all make a list of things we are thankful for and continue to add to and edit the list over time.  So, here is my list (borrowing a couple of items from his).  It's a work in progress!

Air conditioning

Fall in the mountains

Technology

Snuggling with my children

Indoor plumbing

Opportunities to travel and learn more about the world

Cool mornings when you can open the windows

Sleeping children

Christmas trees

Candles
A clean house

Enriching conversation

Watching my children learn new things

Reliable transportation
Picnics
Eating chili on chilly nights

Affirming words

Clean sheets

Coffee

High quality education available to my children

Saturday morning pancakes
Digital cameras that allow me to take all the pictures I want
Modern cloth diapers and a washing machine

Birthdays

Books that I don't want to put down

People who love my children
A variety of healthy food available to my family
The night sky away from the lights of a city
Living within walking distance of multiple parks