giving thanks

i cried on the phone with my mom last night. over what to make for thanksgiving this year. we weren't in an arguement, and i wasn't emotionally torn between martha's or paula's recipes. i was broken. am broken. over how rich we are. not like 'gold encrusted mercedes' rich-- like running-water, extra-food-goes-bad-in-my-fridge rich. a year ago i spent a week in kenya where water must be carried home regardless if you are frail or pregnant or to small not to spill and days pass. between. meals.

i am so thankful.
i am so blessed.
i am so undeserving.

if you are reading this, you are too-- blessed and undeserving. but you must choose to be thankful. full of thanks. and next week, if you live in the US, you'll celebrate thanksgiving, but you must choose to give thanks. to GIVE thanks. my hope is that we'll be intentional about our giving-- recognizing from Whom all things have been given. realizing just how much He's given us. remembering those who have less and fulfilling God's heart to love them as we love ourselves.

I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations. -Ps 57:9

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. -Jm 1:17

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. -Jn 3:16

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' -Mt 22:37-39