Oh how I'm thankful for...

Being away from family around the holidays can be a little tough, but as I was walking home from an evening writing a paper at a coffee shop with a few friends tonight, I realized how much there is to be thankful for in life.  And although we can't be physically present with our families and loved ones while we are here studying, we can still feel the same amount of thankfulness and emotions that come with this time of the year. So here is a list (that barely scratches the surface) of some of the things I am thankful for...

Oh how I’m thankful for friends.

            For friends that encourage you when you have writers block.

            For friends that take the time to listen.

            For friends that stop by to lend a little hug.

            For friends that send a little message every now and again that brighten your day.

            For friends that keep you company all night when they could be sleeping.

For friends that remind you what matters most.

            For friends that inspire you through their actions.

Oh how I’m thankful for love.

            For love that changes people’s hearts.

            For love that lives like children.

            For love that inspires others. 

            For love that gives us a heartbeat.

            For love that exists unconditionally.

            For love that is true love.

Oh how I’m thankful for family.

            For family that loves unconditionally through the bad days and good days.

            For family that takes your side no matter the circumstance.

            For family that supports your every move.

            For family that is never changing.

            For family that enhances life.

Oh how I’m thankful for time.

            For time that is fleeting.

            For time that we have to spend on others.

            For time that is available to love.

            For time that shows we are blessed.

Oh how I’m thankful for coffee.

            For coffee that gets us through a long night of paper writing.

            For coffee that provides that extra boost of energy.

Oh how I’m thankful for study abroad.

            For study abroad that allows me to see the world.

            For study abroad that gives a new perspective of life.

            For study abroad that changes a person’s values.

Oh how I’m thankful for food.

            For food that my host mom prepares every night.

            For food that could feed so many people.

            For food that gives us life.

Oh how I’m thankful for the internet.

            For the internet that allows us to connect across the world.

            For the internet that provides information at the click of a button.

            For the internet that shares knowledge.

But most of all…Oh how I’m thankful for the CROSS.

For the cross that we have the ability to be thankful for all of these things in the first place.

            For the cross that lifts us up when we are down.

            For the cross that reminds of who we are in His eyes.

            For the cross that stands as the reason we are alive.

            For the cross that leads our motives.

            For the cross that inspires action.

            For the cross that gives us purpose.