Thankful

My friend Becky on Parenting with Whine has started listing reasons to be thankful as she counts down to Thanksgiving. It reminded me of Oprah's thankfulness journal. So it got me thinking about what I should be thankful for. I usually find myself complaining about certain aspects of my life so I am going to turn those complaints into reasons to be thankful.

I hate getting up early - but I am thankful everyday to have my dream job. There are literally thousands of teachers in Michigan who cannot find work. I found a job my first summer searching and I have a wonderful group of co-workers and students. I feel at home in my school district and I have a certain amount of freedom with my teaching that I am very thankful for.

I am so sick of writing papers and doing homework - but I am thankful that I have the opportunity to get a master's degree. There are many people who would love the opporunity to get a high school diploma and thousands who aspire to get a bachelor's degree and here I am complaining about getting a master's.

My husband bugs me sometimes - but I am thankful to be in a marriage blessed by God. I truly believe that Chad and I were made for each other and that the Lord has a great plan for us in our lives. I love my husband more than I knew I could love anyone.

I am sick of my car needing repairs - but I am thankful that my very generous parents gave me that car for about $1000 when I started teaching. I have such great parents. They have been so supportive for my entire life and I count my mom as one of my closest friends.

I am tired of being pulled in so many different directions during the holidays - but I am thankful that so many people want to celebrate with Chad and I. It is hard to complain about too many people loving you.

I hate that I have to constantly struggle with my weight - but I am thankful that I always have enough food to eat and that I don't have to worry about making ends meet. We live a very blessed life, now if I could only stop eating!

I hate cleaning my house and doing laundry - but I am thankful that my husband and I can live in such a big house at such a young age. We don't even know what to do with all of this space, we are so blessed to live in our dream home in our 20s. And that laundry, I am thankful that I have so many clothes to wear. (Every Thanksgiving my sister would say the things she was thankful for and she would say our house, food, our family, and clothes, don't forget clothes!) Good ole' sis!

So, the next time I find myself b*tching and complaining, I will just remember all of the wonderful things I have to be thankful for! As it turns out, I have it pretty good!