Thankfulness

In honor of the upcoming holiday, I decided to take some time thinking about all the things I'm grateful for in my life. It only seemed appropriate to come up with one for each year I've lived. So without further ado and in no particular order, the 26 things I'm thankful for this season:

1. Health – working in healthcare and rotating through various specialties this year, I’ve come to understand the value of good health even more than I had previously. We should never take good health for granted. It is certainly a gift.

2. Vision – I’ve always been a somewhat visual person. I learn so much better through reading than listening. During my healthcare mission trip to India, I saw the wonder that happens when a person who hadn’t seen clearly for decades put on a pair of glasses and could see again. It’s a beautiful sight. As I think about examples of things I love, vision plays a substantial role: the beauty of a child’s smile, gorgeous colors of a sunset, the stunning artistry of the changing seasons, glittering stars and the brilliance of moonlight.

3. Hearing – I’m incredibly thankful for my hearing as well. With this gift, I can enjoy the inspiring melodies and harmonies of music, listen to the rain on the roof, have heart-felt conversations, and admire the symphony of nature.

4.Reading – I was reminded recently through a patient encounter of the huge privilege I have growing up in the country I did, the opportunities afforded by our culture and my parents who invested in my education. Literacy. Libraries. Books. Change comes with knowledge. The Burmese immigrant I encountered could barely sign her name, and my heart broke that she had not known the blessing that comes by being able to read and write. I’ve always had a dream to help adults learn to read. Maybe one day that dream will materialize.

5. Learning – For anyone who knows me even remotely, I think it’s safe to say it’s obvious I love to learn. It almost doesn’t matter what it is. The learning process is reward in itself. I’m thankful for the gift of being able to use my mental abilities through the career I’ve chosen. Every day affords something new to learn. And I know I won’t stop learning as long as I live.

6. Challenges – Most, if not all people, dislike challenges. We never wish for hard times. But I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s during the difficult times we grow the most. So for that reason, I’m thankful for circumstances in which I otherwise can’t see any value or point. If they draw me closer to Jesus and make me a better person, they’re worth it.

7. Jesus – Truly, salvation is the greatest gift of all. As I dig deeper into studying the grace of the gospel, I continually come to a better understanding of my sin and God’s love. I am thankful to Jesus in ways only eternity will be able to fully reveal.

8. Faith – Sometimes striving for what we hope for and can’t see is difficult. We grow weary and discouraged. But I’m continually being reminded that the race is worth running. I’m thankful that there’s more than our sight can see. Faith is an anchor in the storms. A map to guide us.

9. Parents – I don’t even know where to start in my gratitude to my parents. They have continually shown their support and love for me. They model beautiful lives of living for Jesus, have been a wonderful mom and dad, have raised me to be independent, productive, caring, and never stop challenging myself. I know they are there to laugh or cry with me, pray or encourage me, visit me or to give advice.

10. Sister – There’s nothing quite like having your sister for your best friend. She just gets me. I’m thankful for our fun times, navigating life together but apart, her encouragement, and caring soul.

11. Chocolate – Chocolate just makes everything better. Not sure there’s much else to say about this one.

12. Transportation – I’m incredibly thankful for having a vehicle to drive. When I had my accident a few weeks ago, it made me appreciate this gift even more.

13. Travel – Throughout my lifetime, I’ve had amazing God-given opportunities to travel through the country and world. I love learning about new places, experiencing culture, exploring history and local eats, meeting new people and seeing things through their perspective. Not sure the travel bug will ever go away, but I’ll enjoy the ride while it lasts.

14. Friends – Life shouldn’t be lived alone. I’ve become even more convinced of this fact recently than I even was before. We are created to support others, love others, sharpen each other through our words and actions, come alongside each other during hard times, and celebrate each other’s joys. I’m thankful for my “lifelong” friends as well as my friends for seasons.

15. Humor – Life without laughter is a sad life. Yes, the irony of that statement doesn’t escape me. But it’s true. Laughter is good for the soul. I’m thankful my parents cultivated a good sense of humor in me throughout my childhood and that God has given me the ability to see humor in everyday life.

16-19. Shelter, Food, Water, Warmth – Even though I’m a nomad this year, I am thankful for a roof over my head. I’m thankful for the strange beds that make my muscles ache, and the flights of stairs I climb every rotation moving into a new place. I’m thankful for something to eat, dishes to wash, and bills to pay. I’m thankful for being able to walk over to a sink faucet and drip from the tap. That we have access to clean water that won’t infect us with cholera. I’m thankful for warmth – for cuddly blankets and comforting quilts. For hot showers and warm drinks. For sunshine and heat in the car. Especially during this colder season. Think about it; we are incredibly blessed.

20. Truth – I’m thankful for truth. God is truth and he has revealed truth. He has revealed himself through his word, through creation, through others. I’ve always valued honesty. When I first started working the ER, I though everyone was telling me the truth. Then when I realized they weren’t, I felt betrayed. I’m thankful that I have people in my life who are truthful with me, who speak truth to me, and point out the lies I’ve either believed or am living.

21. Opportunity – Every day offers new opportunity. I am constantly aware of the huge responsibility I have been given by taking on a medical career. Not only in work, though. In other ways, I have daily opportunities:  to build someone up or tear them down, to become closer to Jesus or further away, to push out of my comfort zone or to be content with comfort and the status quo, to be lazy or productive, to embrace discontent or a spirit of joy.

22. Dancing – Since my homeschool days in contra dance and now with country dancing, I have always loved the beauty of creating art through dance. The patterns and interweaving choreography with other dancers brings a rush that’s hard to compare to anything else.

23. Music – The thrill that comes through creating beautiful harmony by using your voice or your hands is hard to describe. I’m grateful for growing up in a household that valued music, for a mom that pushed me to be a great pianist, for a dad who loved to harmonize to the radio in the car, for support in lessons, for attending concerts, for introducing us to various genres. I’m thankful for my years in choirs in college and accompanying voice lessons for fellow students. I’m thankful for being able to minor in music. And I’m grateful that I constantly wake with a song in my heart.

24. Maps – This summer I finally caved and purchased a smart phone. I have been thankful every day since then for the GPS app, especially in this nomad year. It’s great to have a map for the road. It’s also good to remember that the world is so much bigger than one life. There is so much to explore, road to travel, life to live. The maps on my walls constantly remind me to look beyond myself and my selfish life.

25. Freedom – I’m thankful that I’m a US citizen. That I grew up in a country founded on principles of freedom. That I have the privilege to vote. That I have the freedom to speech, to protest, to worship God in the way I choose, to Google topics, to read books without restriction, to drive and travel as a female without an escort.

26. Growth – Mental growth. Spiritual growth. Emotional growth. Maturity. Striving for wisdom. Learning to let things go that are destructive. Focusing on investing in things that bring life. Surrounding myself with those who will build me up in accordance with God’s truth. Filtering the destructive messages that are so prevalent in our world. Like money will satisfy. Like you’re not valuable unless someone notices you. Like looks matter more than character.