being thankful

Thanksgiving makes sense as a holiday to me in that we are thankful for the harvest. These days, when you can find cherries at the supermarket in December - albeit from Chile - it's hard to remember times when the outcome of the local harvest meant either a winter of plenty or one of great hardship. But because I live in these times of more-than-plenty, Christmas has always been my time of thanksgiving.

I am thankful not because of all the gifts I get or get to give. In fact, most times I feel thankful despite the gifts and the plenty. It feels overwhelming, with the shopping, the kids' excitement, the preparing, the expectation.

This year I am thankful for home and all that it means. I live in a land of plenty where I have more than most. I have had (shameful) moments of being dissatisfied with my house; gee, it's really small, it needs more work, the floors are slopey, there's no yard. I have seen the slums of Cairo, stayed in the hilltowns of southern Mexico, homestayed with the poor in Peru. I know that millions don't have enough to eat, don't have access to clean water, don't have enough to sustain themselves and their children. So when I have complained about having only one functioning toilet in the house and that oh no, it's in the basement, I must admit that I am embarrassed.

My girls and I are so blessed. We have a warm home, clean water, more than enough food, warm clothes to protect us from the cold, and so, so much more in terms of material goods. And then we have our health. And each other. And so much family and friends to carry us, love us, and simply be with us.

In this time of remembering the Word that came into the world on a dark night filled with anticipation and likely more than a little fear, I am thankful for all that we have.