Give Thanks Always

By Barb Franzen –

Lord, here sit at 6:45 a.m. a peaceful time of day for talking with you. It’s quiet outside the way I like it. There’s just a bit of snow in the street. My coffee cup is to my right. The office here is scattered with paper, pens, books, a day bed, kitty curled up, a bit straw basket, my white book case with glass doors, my garage sale bookcase, and the bookcase Milan made me, my writing, the day bed, coves tussled from the night. There’s  the credenza with art supplies, some fabric, thread, embroidery  needles, pictures on the wall, a few dolls from my collection, knick knacks and art, pictures of family, my Bible  in the cupboard, a candle, a tape recorder, computers, my favorite stories, I have song books with songs I like, a box of family pictures, book markers with sayings, poetry that I wrote, thread, a closet with odd and ends, ,vintage books and  drawers full of dreams. In other words, my office defines my passions and me.

Nothing fancy-that’s not me. The things I like are small and intimate and connected to hobbies and interests. This is a sunroom with a big window for the sun to shine in; I also like watching the snow fall.

I’ve described my room and as you might assume it’s special to me. This is the problem. To my right in a basket lies a saying that my husband printed off, he’s faming it for friends; “WHAT IF YOU WOKE UP TODAY WITH ONLY WHAT YOU THANKED GOD FOR YESTERDAY”.

Lord if that had happened I would be without this room, without the food i just ate, without my husband, my son his wife, our grandchildren, clothing, and friends. I wouldn’t have the Bible I tucked away, the brisk air to breathe, my mind, our church, my existence, the life I love or the land I find so beautiful, the people who protect America the pastors, doctors, store clerks, the garbage men, my vacuum, stove mop, or most importantly, I wouldn’t have you-or rather I would undeservedly.

I am not proud of this Lord – thank you for everything you’ve so abundantly blessed me with. Help me to remember to thank you dearest Lord so generous.

Barb Franzen lives a prairie life in the Platte Valley of NB. A nature lover she is passionate about writing. Other interests include genealogy, mental health, reading and quilting-Her favorite thing is painting pictures with words and discovering out of the way haunts-A woman who lives outside of the box- You can find her at her blog at: http://gabbi-innerjoy.blogspot.com/.