small thanksgivings

"In this counting of thanks, one thousand gifts and more, I discover that slapping a sloppy brush of thanksgiving over everything in my life leaves me deeply thankful for very few things in my life... and I testify:  'life-changing gratitude does not fasten to a life unless nailed through with one very specific nail at a time. Little nails and a steady hammer can rebuild a life...'" - One Thousand Gifts

I read this on Ann Voskamp's facebook feed this morning and it was yet another brick in the wall of true gratefulness that God is building in me.  Earlier in the week, I read the following quotation: "you can't be grateful for something you feel entitled to."  It hit me hard.  

I like to think I'm grateful for all that God has blessed me with, but reading something like that shows me how much I take for granted.  How much my heart and mind quietly smolder in ungratefulness.  The times I think I don't deserve what I'm getting -- and not in the thankful way.  I'm too often entitled.  Ungrateful.  Unthankful.  

Ann's words remind me that in naming the seemingly small gifts that inhabit each moment of my day, I rebuild the life I tear down by taking all of it for granted.  

So today, while I am thankful for the big things in my life, I am keenly aware of the small blessings of life:  

1.  picking up popcorn off of the floor after a night of watching a movie on the couch with two of my girls 

2.  greenbean casserole stained baby shirt

3.  toys scattered all over the floor

4.  a very large pile of laundry waiting for me.  

P.S.  Here are a few of those big things I'm thankful for.  Happy Thanksgiving!