Thanksgiving from A to Z

I will praise God's name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving.
Psalm 69:30 NIV

Thanksgiving is not just a day, but a lifestyle impacting what I do and say. An old song encourages us to count our blessings, to name them one by one. Induldge me as I experss thanks today from A to Z.

A - Abba Father, Daddy God who loves me for me.
B - My Bride Susie who holds the key to my heart.
C - Children, Chrysta, Gracie, Greg, Pearl and Mike; forever and always my Ebie fab five.
D - Denny who lovingly holds Chrysta's hand.
E - Ebie heritage; the faith of my dad is living in me and my children.
F - Fresh starts knowing that I'm forgiven.
G - Going Crazy and enjoying being with those who love me most.
H - Half-centuries; with 50 on the horizon the best is yet to come!
I - Imagination dreaming the dream I dream about you.
J - Jesus; enough said.
K - Kimble - ah yes, gran-dogs hold the hope of grandbabies!
L - Love which always multiplies and never divides.
M - Musical melodies filling our house and hearts.
N - Nothing, having nothing to fear because God is with us.
O - Ovens with the fresh warm smell of good things to share.
P - Pictures that hold yesterday's smiles.
Q - Quiet times holding Susie's hand.
R - Riches that no one and nothing can take from me.
S - Stuff-Mart and other Veggie reminders that happiness cannot be bought at a store.
T - Tattoos thoughtfully marking an unshakable faith.
U - Unity that remains our unbroken promise.
V - Voices and laughter to fill our home.
W - Whispers of love.
X - X-ray vision to see each other's loving hearts.
Y - Your love that grows deeper.
Z - Zillions the inumerable reasons I have to give thanks today and always.

Happily Ever After

     Where has the past year gone? The days have flown by and we are are three days from Thanksgiving and 37 short days until the start of a new year.  2012 will begin all too quickly.
     As I sit around the dinner table to give thanks with family and fiends, I will have much to be thankful for. The past year has had more than its share of challenges, but God has been faithful. He has supplied for every need. He has provided peace in the midst of life's storms, and strength to carry on.
     As I think about the coming of a new year one thing is certain. We cannot end this year by saying, "And they all lived happily ever after." Real life is not like a fairy tale. Challenges and obstacles occur in all of our lives . . . sometimes daily. Unexpected tragedy comes suddenly. Happiness can be turned to sorrow as quickly as turning the corner.
     Yes our day to day ordinary lives are sometimes anything but ordinary. That's why I'm glad to know our God is extra-ordinary. Solomon prayed, "There is no God like you in the skies above or on the earth below" (1 Kings 8:23 MsgB). God is more than able to provide exactly what is needed as we face the uncertain realities of life. And we have this promise:

• We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:28-30 NIV)

     Everything in life may not be good or "happily ever after," but no matter what may come tomorrow God is still working His good purpose in our lives. I'm glad He loves me enough to use the difficulties of life to shape me in the image of His Son, Jesus. 
     And as His children we can look forward to the day when our "big brother Jesus" will come to take us to be with Him forever. That's a happily ever after worth waiting for!