036: Thankfulness

March 23, 2010
Philippians 2:1-18, 3:1, 8-9

The summer I lived in Morocco I had a friend that told me he thought the greatest safeguard to our faith was exactly what Paul told the Philippians church: Rejoice in the Lord. He told me, “Dani, do you want to effectively battle apathy? Discouragement? Pride? Jealousy? Bitterness? Discontentment? Selfishness? Rejoice in the Lord – keep your eyes fixed firmly on Jesus.”

I’m not always good at maintaining that single-minded focus – in fact, most of the time I’m not, but I have learned that I can help myself keep Jesus the main thing in my view if I focus on being thankful. Along with that comes the thoughts Paul encourages the church at Philippi to entertain, and the lifestyle that he speaks of in chapter 2.

So what am I thankful for today?

- I’m thankful for my job. It allows me to meet my financial obligations with an abundance of blessing out of which I’ve been able to bless people. I get to talk and meet with people and get paid for it. I am able to build relationships with my students and other teachers and staff, and I love the academic environment of curiosity and questioning and learning and ideas. I love that it superimposes a structure into my life, while allowing me plenty of flexibility and freedom within that schedule. I love that I get to be both creative and analytical, and that my work is a challenge.

- I’m thankful for many wonderful friends who walk through life with me – figuratively and literally. My friend Kayla walked a 3 mile loop around the lake-park in town the other day and we caught up on life. My friend Amber has coffee with me once a week (usually on Wednesdays) and keeps me accountable in my walk with God. Mollee, another friend, has coffee with me once a week (other than Wednesdays). Laura stays in touch with me via email (she’s better at it than I am), and my sisters regularly talk on the phone. Kindra and her husband Jordan let me come and join their family at random breakfasts, and Melanie and Chris – another couple-friend – have had countless conversations with me over their dining room table. I am so blessed by how God provides companionship and accountability and encouragement through the people in my life.

- I’m thankful for living in the Northwest. It rains a lot, which isn’t always my favorite, but when it is sunny and beautiful, I appreciate it all the more. I also enjoy going to other places for a change, but the comforting smells of the Northwest, like the pine and the molds and the rain on pavement, remind me of where I come from and my history.

- I love the smell of spring which is hanging in the air right now. It is a particular, fresh scent that I begin to smell this time of year every year. Nobody else understands what I’m talking about – which I like, because then it seems like its God’s gift to me.

- I’m thankful for Jesus. I’m thankful that God wanted to reveal Himself to me by becoming like me so I can know Him.