I Am So Thankful

I've had several moments today that have allowed me to reflect. My students wrote letters to someone important in their life today. I had one young lady who's Mother is deceased, her Dad is in jail, write to HIS girlfriend, thanking her for taking her in. She went so far to say that even though the girlfriend won't be around for Thanksgiving and that she (the student) would have no Thanksgiving, she was still thankful to her for all she had done. I had another young man tell his Mom that he was proud of her for working hard in school and that he understood why they would have no Christmas this year. He went on to tell her that he knew she wanted to find a man so that he would have a role model but for her to remember that as long as they had God, they had enough. Then...tonight on the news, I hear stories of how children in my very own community who are living in foster care and group homes will not be receiving gifts for Christmas.

You know, I love this time of year. It isn't because everyone around me has all the love, peace, food, etc. that they need. It is because God uses these situations to remind me of all I have. I am so thankful for....

The fact that my children don't have to worry about a parent being in jail;
The fact that my children don't have to be the ADULT in my life;
The fact that, although small, my children will receive presents this year;

BUT, more importantly...

I'm thankful for.....

God giving me a job where I work with amazing children;
a God that I know is going to bless these children;
and for a God, that reminds me through some of the toughest situations, that I am so richly blessed and that I need to share those blessings with others.

I encourage you to look for your blessings and to be thankful. I also encourage you to SHARE those blessings with others who need them! God Bless!