Usually I can't wait for Thanksgiving to pass so I can start decorating, buying presents, and playing Christmas music 24/7. But, this year has been different. I find that I am almost forcing myself to move on from this overwhelming thankfulness into preparing for the Advent season. Instead of focusing on what's going on around me right now (that I am so thankful for) I want to be clearing my mind as I await the celebration of Christ's arrival on earth. This is a special time of year that I have come to love not only for the movies, cookies, candy, lights, music, snow, presents, and time with friends and family, but for the 29 days of Advent. 29 days that I get to focus on the Hope, Love, Joy and Peace that came to us through a tiny little helpless baby, with poor parents, in a dirty stable.
As I sat in front of my friends at church this week I was overwhelmed with thankfulness. For the first time in a long time I felt like I had people "who've got my back." I've got friends that love Jesus, that encourage me to love Him more, that let me live with them, pray with them, hang out in their shop with them. I have friends to laugh with, to confess to, who encourage my creativity, and teach me new things. You all know who you are, and you might think that God brought you to Springfield to run a store, open a coffee shop, be a nurse, or work with a church but really, you're here because I needed you in my life.
Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. 1 Chronicles 16:8
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