Give Thanks

Our lives here in America overflow with blessings. Even if we are in the middle of health, emotional, financial or any other crises, we are undeniably blessed. We have water, food, shelter, medicine, freedom and support. If someone finds themselves without immediate access to any of these things, there are tons of places to turn to find help and to gain access to these basic needs.

There are billions of others on this planet that don't have access to those needs. There are so many people who don't even have access to clean water. I'll be honest; to me – I can't even fathom that. To not have water to drink when I feel thirsty, much less not having water to bathe with, to wash my hands with, to cook with... I can't wrap my head around a reality like that.

And yet, for so many, that is their life. It is their reality.

This Thanksgiving, I take a look around my life and I am so very, very grateful. I have so much more than I need. I have more than I deserve. I have more than most in this world.

I am thankful for:

-Matt. Our life, our marriage.

-Our families. The love and support from all of them.

-A roof over our heads. Regardless of the gripes we have, it is a roof, it doesn't leak, and we are safe.

-Food in our kitchen. Grocery shopping is not among my favorite things to do, but I am so thankful for the ease and opportunity I have to just run to the store to get whatever I need.

-Water. As much as I could possibly ever use, I have access to it.

-Faith. My faith, my church, and the freedom to worship as I please.

-Freedom. The choice of where to work, what to drive, how to spend my days.

And a couple other important but more trivial things that I am truly thankful for:

-My Nikon D700. Without it, I would not be where I am today in my photography.

-The internet.

-My DVR. What a beautiful invention.

Hug your loved ones tightly today, give thanks for the blessings in your life, and offer a prayer for those without.