Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Thankfulness

I'm not one to quote Bible verses very often, and maybe I should be, but one of my favorite verses has always been "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is my will for you". Even if you are not a Jesus follower, I believe the practice of being thankful is truly a powerful one, and one that I really haven't practiced enough lately. Thankfulness reminds us of the abundance we have, which is essential to remember in a world of so many with so little.

As I mentioned in my last post, the transition to New Zealand has not been the easiest, but this last week I got a job! I will be a Social Worker at Child Youth and Family, the child protection agency here in New Zealand. Although the location is not ideal(one hour commute), we don't have a second car yet, and it is provisional on NZ recognizing I am qualified to practice social work, I am nonetheless thankful. I am thankful that we now have two incomes. I am thankful that I am doing something I believe in--which is protecting children and working to conserve the family unit. I am thankful that I won't be left at home to think too much about things (a potentially dangerous thing for me). I am incredibly thankful for a husband who supports me in everything, even when I am potentially hard to live with. I am thankful to be living in a country with a mild winter(comparatively). I am thankful for summer coming around the corner. I am thankful for the delicious food that is abundant in New Zealand. I am thankful for a God who takes care of us and loves us and gives us an endless number of things to be thankful for.

I guess one of the main reasons I am thinking about being thankful lately is my lack of thankfulness and because of the season here, it feels like it should be thanksgiving, and so I guess the best thing to do is to be thankful.

What are you thankful for?

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad you got a job. I TOTALLY know that feeling. When we moved to Denver Sam had a job and I didn't. I felt really down about myself and I didn't have a lot to do...

What's crazy is that I do continually forget to be grateful for what I have now! Thanks for the reminder:)

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad you got a job. I TOTALLY know that feeling. When we moved to Denver Sam had a job and I didn't. I felt really down about myself and I didn't have a lot to do...

What's crazy is that I do continually forget to be grateful for what I have now! Thanks for the reminder:)

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad you got a job. I TOTALLY know that feeling. When we moved to Denver Sam had a job and I didn't. I felt really down about myself and I didn't have a lot to do...

What's crazy is that I do continually forget to be grateful for what I have now! Thanks for the reminder:)

Anonymous said...

oops:)

Emily said...

haha!Thanks Jenna :)

Sam van said...

I am thankful Jenna is such a forceful commenter.