Choosing To Be Thankful

I have been reading several articles and blogs lately; and alot of common threads have been on emotions and also thankfulness.

I started to wonder this morning if there is a difference between "choosing to BE thankful" and "choosing to GIVE thanks". It might be a silly thing to write about, but sometimes I honestly choose to be thankful; and other times, even when my feelings don't "feel" like it - I need to CHOOSE to give thanks (Even if my attitude isn't one of thankfulness). Does that make sense at all?

Let me give an example. This weekend I turn 40yrs old, and for me this comes with alot of different emotions. It is not really about the number, and although there is something about "becoming older"; for me it's about looking back and thinking about where things might have been. Let me tell you that I was not going to be single again and starting a new decade doing life on earth "alone". So, heading into this birthday, with all the mixed emotions, I am choosing to give thanks.

* I am thankful that I am a new creation and I am not the same person
* I am thankful for God's understanding and neverending patience with me
* I am thankful that all sins have been paid for
* I am thankful that I am one with Christ; His spirit dwelling in me
* I am thankful for a tangible copy of God's word
* I am thankful for my family - for it is them that I laugh, cry and learn
* I am thankful for friends who care
* I am thankful for friends and family who want to celebrate me
* I am thankful for the forgiveness of friends when I mess up
* I am thankful for tears that flow
* I am thankful for THE church
* I am thankful for a beautiful home to rent
* I am thankful that I have ears that can hear music (and birds singing)
* I am thankful for eyes that can see: flowers, people, rainbows
* I am thankful for hands that can type on a laptop that isn't even mine
* I am thankful for all the supporters God has provided me with for my ministry position
* I am thankful that I have another day to let HIS light shine through me
* I am thankful that I am loved
* I am thankful that I have a voice that can sing and can talk
* I am thankful that I have new beginnings
* I am thankful that God loves me enough to not leave me where I am

I admit, sometimes I need to choose to give thanks, and in doing so, I then become thankful in my attitude.

Til Next Time,
Jacqueline