This list was much harder to write than I thought it would be, and I'm not going to explain why I did it until the end. You're just going to have to bear with me. So, without further ado...
1. Quiet nights
2. The color blue
3. Possibilities
4. The ability to simply be
5. Relient K
6. The moment of calm after taking a deep breath
7. Rainy days
8. Sunday morning worship
9. Fuzzy beanies
10. Every single thing about books
11. Tea
12. Peaceful mornings
13. Growing closer while laughing with my family
14. Growing closer after arguing with my family
15. Concerts that feel like church
16. Chocolate
17. Windy afternoons
18. Wading through a cold stream on a hot day
19. Seeing the glory of God everywhere
20. Random acts of kindness
21. The way someone's eyes look like 4th of July when talking about their passions
22. Sweaters
23. Being able to start over
24. Photographs (the printed kind)
25. Dreams for the future
26. Personal expression
27. Finding a word that perfectly describes how I feel
28. Old fashioned diners
29. Classic movie musicals
30. Creativity
31. Theatre nicknames, and the memories behind them
32. Social ballroom dances with friends
33. My imagination
34. God's unconditional love
35. Quaint shops
36. Finding something new to love
37. Being instantly swept into the pages of a new novel
38. Kindred spirits
39. Prayer
40. Pens and paper
41. The first step back on stage during tech week of a play
42. Bethany Dillon
43. Interesting characters that come to life in my head
44. Reaching the end of a hard road
45. Worship and prayer sessions in my car
46. Sleep
47. Opportunities to serve others
48. God's provision
49. Spontaneous day trips
50. Being half way through this list
51. Pinterest
52. Hugs
53. My Bible
54. Penny wishes in public fountains
55. Breathtaking watercolor skies
56. Exceeded expectations
57. Music
58. Playing a character on stage that is totally different than me
59. Steve Rodgers
60. The clarity that comes after a long journaling session
61. Hot showers
62. The moment when I know something was God, and can't stop smiling
63. Learning something new about myself
64. Photobooths
65. Long, handwritten letters
66. Bookstores
67. Happening upon a Bible verse that speaks right to my current situation
68. The feeling of finally dominating a new dance trick
69. Pain that makes me stronger
70. Beautiful hilltop views
71. Seeing new places
72. God staying with me through every situation
73. Getting new glasses and being able to see
74. Food
75. Living in a part of the world where Culver's exists
76. My dog
77. Long walks
78. The first time I feel my heart beginning to heal
79. Falling in love with who God made me to be all over again
80. Dancing and worshiping the Lord in the pouring rain on my driveway
81. Late night ice cream after a long day
82. Not having to have everything figured out
83. Loving someone despite their flaws
84. Being loved despite my flaws
85. Loving a God who has no flaws
86. New experiences
87. Glass-bottled sodas
88. Heartfelt conversations
89. Reaching the end of a big project
90. Reaching the beginning of a new project
91. Days at home by myself
92. Days surrounded by friends
93. Inspiring ministries that spread the Light
94. Christian radio stations
95. Meeting new people who are passionate about the same things
96. Dances with an equal guy to girl ratio (very rare, but they do exist)
97. The smell of old books
98. Knowing that God has a plan
99. People who call everything an adventure
And finally...
100. I'm thankful for still being able to write a list of things I'm thankful for, even on a really horrible day (just like my day was today).
You see, it's not our circumstances that should dictate whether or not we give thanks to God for all that we're blessed with. Thankfulness is a trait we should emit even on our worst days. In fact, in hard times it's even more important, because this is when satan will fight to make us feel low and unloved. Don't let him. Show him that God is good, and that you know what side you're on. And show him by defiantly listing off all the ways your thankful, despite how badly you just want to complain.
All day I've been asking why... Why is my life where it is right now? Why are these certain things happening to me? Why can't I seem to do anything right? But then I realized the only way to turn my day around was to ask a different question...
What can I do to give God praise when my circumstances are less than ideal?
Trust. Be still. And know that He is God.
Thankfulness.
Not easy, but worth it. Yes, very worth it.
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