Happy Thanksgiving from Julie Arduini

As I’m typing, my phone notifies that a probable terrorist attack occurred at the Niagara Canada/US Rainbow Bridge border. I can’t help but wonder was that really their destination? Were they heading somewhere bigger, especially with Thanksgiving?

How can we be thankful with those kind of thoughts and realities swirling around?

The last three years have been hard at best and devastating at worst.

But. God.

I can remain thankful on the daily because no matter what happens around me, I have Christ in me.

It makes all the difference.

Do I struggle? Of course. I’m human.

But I have so much to be thankful for.

-I’ve been married for 27 years to a man who loves the Lord, works hard, and is still fun to be around.

-We have 4 kids. Two I received as perks of marrying their dad who are married with families of their own. They are healthy and doing well.

-Our two local children are grown. One is married and making a difference no matter what adversity comes his way. The youngest is at home, attending college online, works part-time, and is active in ministry.

-We paid off a home that we didn’t love for us, but for another family, it checked all their boxes and was an answer to prayer. It will be their home shortly.

-We live in a home that offers far more than we deserve. We don’t take it for granted and love that for years it has entertained teens and been a safe place they can land.

-Our extended family is healthy and well.

-We have a church family that loves us well, and we love them.

-We have cars that run, and although it wasn’t there on paper, we always had provision for gas, oil changes, tires, etc…

-I have ministry work that grows my faith and friendships.

-I released a book despite technical issues that literally “dogged” me all year. As in the dog broke my laptop.

-I’m a dog mom that challenges me beyond anything I anticipated. One dog is a senior and his needs are changing. He needed surgery this year. We rescued a Beagle last year and the work I’ve put into him few would probably realize. He is a punk, but boy he can disarm my bad days with his affection. Most of the time.

-I read with a group of ladies every line of Revelation with study and discussion. It was hard stuff, but so fascinating.

-After years of basically doing individual Bible study because no one seemed interested/able to join me for the deeper studies, someone is in my life now who makes my reading look lazy. We’ve finished Building a Resilient Life by Rebekah Lyons, and we’re just starting You Are Unshaken by Laura Krokos.

I know there is more. This is right off the top of my head. Have you listed any thankful thoughts from this year? I challenge you to try. No matter what chaos threatens, there is always, always something to be grateful for.

Thank you for reading this blog and following me across social media. I do not take that for granted.