What I Am Thankful For...

I am thankful for peace of mind because I feel it coming sooner than I thought.

I am thankful for the ability to hear. I believe I have done entirely too much talking lately and it is now time for me to just actively listen to others.

I am thankful for the writers Beverly Lewis and Wanda Brunstetter. Reading these two women's novels based in the Amish community has given me more love for the faith in God that I do have. It has given me an appreciation for salvation as I understand it to be and it has made me thankful that God has covered my sins is His blood so that I do not have to work toward that redemption.

I am thankful for family. My family may not be what I want it to be but one day.

I am thankful for gospel music. For me there is no other genre of music that can remind me that I will be okay. I may be down at one point and put on a Clark Sisters cd and then I remember that I am "Blessed & Highly Favored." Or I can watch Mahalia Jackson on Youtube and realize that God's grace is truly "Amazing Grace."

I am thankful for Joyce Meyer who explains prayer as easy and understandable as ever in her new book "The Power of Simple Prayer."

I am thankful for my baby Rachel, she thinks she is all grown-up now but she will always be my baby. I am so proud of my baby for being focused, determined, responsible and for sharing Trey Trey with me.