giving thanks.

I just finished reading A Thankful Heart by Carole Lewis and I’m currently reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. Needless to say, I’m learning how to give thanks in every situation by reading through the struggles and redemption of these two women.

With recent events here in Atlanta, namely #snowpocalypse, I’ve really had to put 1 Thessalonians 5:17 into practice.

Some are rather mundane, but these are the things that I was grateful for on the 7-hour journey that replaced my usual 15 minute commute home:

1. My Husband. At his urging, I left downtown sooner than I had intended to do so, which probably significantly reduced my travel time.

2. Talk Radio. I was able to keep up with the traffic news and in doing so, decided to avoid I-285, which was a complete parking lot even at 1pm

3. My Car Charger. My phone would intermittently work due to an overload on Verizon’s network, but when it did work, I was able to talk for extended periods to friends and family.

4. My Sister. She made sure to call and call again (when lines were busy) to make me feel like someone else was in the car with me.

5. Find My Friends App. When my husband was unable to reach me, he was always able to track my location using this app. Good thing I actually had it turned on this time!

6. My “New” Car. My old car did everything except explode last December and we were forced to purchase a “newish” car. It has this “vehicle stability control” that I literally FELT prevent me from spinning out on the ice. Let’s just say my old car was no competition for the icy streets.

7. Raw Materials. Let’s just say, nature called at the most inopportune time (nowhere near an exit or discreet shoulder) and I had to do what I had to do. I’m thankful my new car didn’t have to absorb the drainage 😉

8. CVS. Nature called again as soon as I was approaching the exit for CVS, and even though I was one exit away from my home exit, I decided to make a pit stop there. I took the streets home rather than get back on the highway, which was my best decision of the night. The highway was completely locked down after that exit and I wouldn’t have made it home.

9. A Full Tank of Gas. I left home with less than a quarter tank of gas, but filled up hours before the storm started “just in case”. I literally had one of those “thank-God-my-mother’s-voice-replays-in-my-head” moments.

10. Getting Home. Not everyone made it home that evening and some had to stay either on the road, in a restaurant or at a stranger’s house. I slept in my own bed next to my hubby, which made everything better…

In all honestly, I think being grateful is really what allowed me to stay sane during my trek home that crazy night. With a life as interesting as mine, I’m going to put this into practice daily, even hourly if I have to do so! Life’s too short to let anxiety steal a second away.

What are you thankful for today?