thankful thoughts

I Am Thankful for:

- the mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

- the taxes I pay because it means I'm employed.

- the clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.

- all the complaining I hear about our government because it means we have freedom of speech.

- the man behind me in church who sings off key because it means that I can hear.

- the spot I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking.

- the piles of laundry and ironing because it means my loved ones are nearby.

- weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I have been productive.

- a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.

- my huge heating bill because it means I am warm.

- the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means that I'm alive.

by Nancy J. Carmody

"If you own just one Bible, you are abundantly blessed. One-third or the world does not have access to even one. If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than a million who will not survive the week. If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of five million people around the world. If you attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest or torture, you are more blessed than almost three billion people in the world. If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy. If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not. If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder, you are blessed because you can offer God's healing touch. If you prayed yesterday and today, you are in the minority because you believe in God's willingness to hear and answer prayer. If you believe in Jesus as the Son of God, you are part of a very small minority in the world. If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read anything at all."