Giving thanks

I know we're still a week out from Thanksgiving, but I wanted to take a moment to reflect on some things I'm thankful for. Here are the top five (as of today).

1. Salvation - I'm thankful that God loved us so much that He sent His only Son to die, taking the punishment for our sins, so that we can live. I can't fathom that kind of love. I can't imagine giving up any member of my family for people who don't appreciate my sacrifice, but God did that. I'm thankful that my parents took me to a church that preached the gospel. I'm thankful God pricked my heart when I was in first grade and that I listened.

2. Family - My family is awesome. I don't tell them that enough, but it's true. My parents, brothers, sister, sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, nieces and nephews are the best. They put up with my foibles and (hopefully) know that I love them more than anyone else on the planet. I know I don't always come across as the daughter, sibling, sibling-in-law or aunt that I wish I could be, but I love all of you (Mom, Nathan, Amanda, Avery, Emma, Andrew, Rachael, Lilah, Dru, Alissa, Ken, Brenden, Erin, Ryan and Mark).

3. Employment - Believe it or not, I really do love my job. I have the opportunity to watch kids grow and mature through extracurricular activities like sports, and I get to chronicle that growth. Sometimes I even get to know the kids a little bit, which is a definite benefit to what I do. I'm not as good at what I do as I want to be, but I'm still working to improve.

4. Church - I've had the opportunity to become more involved in church activities over the past couple years. I get to use my musical abilities in playing for song services and singing in the choir. I get to use my drama skills, such as they are, with the Christmas program, which I'm directing again this year. I never thought I'd be a director, but here I am. I get to help with AWANA, hopefully setting a good example for the kids who come. I'm also on the ladies committee, which is more of a challenge for me. But I'm trying.

5. America - We really do live in a great country, and I don't think its leader really makes that much of a difference. We've had 44 different people who have assumed the title of president for four to eight years, and while things change a little with each new president, the core freedoms on which this country was founded stay the same. I pray they will continue to be the underlying considerations for any new laws and interpretations of existing laws.

I guess if you really want to be picky, this could be considered as more than five (if you're counting each member of my family separately). But that's my top five. As we approach Thanksgiving, why don't you take a few minutes to list the top five things you're thankful for?