50 things I’m thankful for as I turn 50

I confess, I wrote and deleted a very different post to mark my birthday today. It was much more . . . melancholy. But the morning after I wrote it I realized that my mindset is the fulcrum on which the emotional see-saw shifts, and I can control my thoughts. So I had this crazy idea–to write down (and share with you) 50 things I’m thankful for as I turn 50. Read them all or skim a few, but my prayer is that this lists sparks some gratitude in your own heart today, and we can rejoice together.

Here we go!

I’m thankful for (that)–

1. I’m not the person I was at 20.
2. I’m not the person I was at 30.
3. I’m not even the person I was at 40! 🙂
4. Almost 30 years of marriage to a kind and godly man.
5. Three delightful and productive adult children. (By the grace of God and in spite of my subpar mothering skills!)
6. Parents who raised me in the fear and admonition of the Lord. (I know it wasn’t easy!)
7. Siblings who I enjoy spending time with.
8. Our Austin interlude.
9. Friends who keep in touch from far away and pray for me and my family.
10. New friends continue to make our Austin adventure rich and deep.
11. Health.
12. Good hair. (Thank you, Holly!)
13. Being able to run a continuous mile for the first time in my life.
14. Realizing my dream of publication–even if it didn’t last as long as I had hoped.
15. E-books (so I can change the font size and carry 1000s with me at one time!)
16. Books (so many of which I miss because they are currently in storage.)
17. The Word of God.
18. The call to intercessory prayer.
19. Time alone.
20. Time with others.
21. Cars that function.
22. A soon-to-be daughter-in-law. (less than 6 months now!)
23. Sunshine.
24. Chocolate.
25. Music.
26. Corporate worship.
27. Private worship.
28. Coffee.
29. Beauty–in nature, in people, in words, in color and design, in music, in art. (I could go on and on!)
30. He who began a good work in me will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)
31. My in-laws.
32. Pieces of furniture passed down from my grandparents and other family members that remind me of the past.
33. I can work anywhere.
34. The ability to help other writers make their work stronger.
35. My state and my country.
36. My ultimate citizenship is in heaven.
37. Jesus loves me, this I know.
38. Air conditioning.
39. A fire in the fireplace on cold days.
40. Walks with my husband.
41. Laughter.
42. Tears.
43. The more I love God, the more love I find I have for others.
44. Pretty papers and notebooks.
45. Cinnamon toothpaste.
46. Contact lenses.
47. My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
48. God is faithful.
49. God is good.
50. 50 years of life. (So far!)