The Thankful Tree

"I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving." Psalm 69:30

It has become a tradition in our household to make a Thankful Tree each November.  For the past 3 years, on November 1st, I make some sort of tree and mount it to a door or wall in our home.  Then each night in the month of November, our family sits down and I write out what each of us are thankful for.  I write it on little leaves that we then stick on the tree.  So the tree starts out bald, but ends up full with colorful fall leaves filled with our thanksgiving to God.  

November 1st - the first night our tree was up.  Looking rather bald.

The Hubs and I think it is important for our girls, as well as any guests that come over, to know exactly who it is that we are thankful to, so each leaf starts with, "Thank you, God for..."  The Bible says that God is the giver of all good things, so it is fitting that we glorify him with our thanksgiving (Psalm 69:30).

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." James 1:17 

This year, we added a fun new twist, we started having any guests that come over add something to our Thankful Tree!  It was so encouraging to see friends and family writing down what they are thankful to God for.

As the month comes to a close, I am overwhelmed as I look up at our very full Thankful Tree and see the many reasons I have to offer praise and thanksgiving to my good, kind, and loving God.  

The Thankful Tree - November 26th, 2012

The thing is, that I must carry this attitude of gratitude throughout the rest of the year.  Thanksgiving is not the only time of year I am called to be thankful, but I am to be thankful all year long.

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Doesn't get much plainer than that!  I have decided to share the things I am thankful for this year.  This will, hopefully, do two things: 1) It will be a good reminder to me as I look back over my blog for the next year of all the things I was/am thankful for. 2) It will hopefully, give you reasons to thank and praise God for the good things he has given you.  So without further ado...(in no particular order)

Thank you, God for...

• your love for us.  Thank you that you loved us first.
• my husband.
• my job.
• saving a wretch like me.
• your rich mercy toward me.
• your provision and kindness toward us.
• Jesus, who lived the life I can't and died the death I deserve to die.
• my co-workers, my co-laborers for Christ and his kingdom.
• our pastors.
• my extended family.
• that Jesus took the wrath which was in store for me, that I may know your grace.
• your immutability.  Thank you that you are the same yesterday, today, and forever.
• where we live - in a beautiful home, close to church, friends, and family.
• my Love Bug.
• that you are slow to anger.
• the Holy Spirit, our helper and comforter.
• my accountability partner.
• my sweet ZuZuBe, my Sunshine Girl.
• for a wise, kind, and gracious boss.
• our Disneyland passes.
• that you are abounding in steadfast love.
• our church.
• that our children get to attend the school they do.
• for the sisters in Christ that you have given me.
• the Bible.
• prayer.  Thank you that I can cast all my burdens on you, because of your great love for me.