Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for-

• Pain.  Some days, I just have to make it my friend. I have to look right in its eyes and smile, because the JOY of the Lord is my strength and pain can not defeat me.
• Family. They are all crazy, but they're mine, and I fit in here.  
• Friends. Again, all crazy, but they make me smile.
• Giant bars of chocolate. Not an extravagant gift, but I don't need extravagance.  I just LOVE to know someone was thinking of me and remembered something I like.
• Team Epic.  We haven't even had a game and it doesn't matter.  These kids are EPIC to me. I can't even begin to say how much my spirit soars to watch them support each other. 

I am blessed beyond measure.  I haven't figured out if the joy comes from recognizing the beauty of the little things, or if having joy brings little things to bless to me.  I suppose it doesn't really matter since I intend to keep enjoying every little blessing the Father sees fit to give me.