Happy Thanksgiving - Happy Everything

I am very happy. That’s a deliberate usage of the word. I’ve been down on happiness for a while. Rejoicing, thankful, blessed and joyful seemed to be my words of choice. Then I run up against verses like Psalm 68:3 “But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.” And James 5:13, “Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.” So in a spirit of happiness I offer up these:

I am happy for…

…the house being filled with the aroma of turkey and all the fixin’s on Thursday.
…the brilliant oranges, reds and yellows of autumn.
…the ease in getting good books and audio books, too.
…the afternoon sunshine coming through the Venetian blinds and splashing all kinds of cheerful shadows across the wooden floors.
…nice sunny walks with the family.
…a fresh perspective that being away for four years brings.
…lots of cool opportunities for our kids - like snowboarding, music lessons, Bible studies and a trip to New York City.
…friends coming over to our house to hang out.
…a chance to see our culture through the eyes of another culture.
…crowded aisles at the local grocery store two days before Thanksgiving reflecting the bounty we enjoy in this country.
…laughter.
…family…from WV to CO to TN.
…the prospects of a snowy Christmas.
…sitting at Starbucks with the three ladies in my life and drinking a buy one get one free holiday drink.
…central air and gas logs on a cold fall day.
…swimming at the YMCA for the girls.
…a whiff of the autumn air.
…festivals throughout WV like the Lewisburg Holiday Open House this Sunday afternoon.
…knowing the cultural ropes for a change.
…fluffy mashed potatoes.
…our family tradition of always eating the first pumpkin pie the day before Thanksgiving.
…another family tradition of decorating for the Christmas season the day after Thanksgiving.
…that after 29 years of walking with the Lord there are new depths of spiritual dynamics to rise to the surface. God is Awesomely Awesome!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! HAPPY EVERYTHING!