Today I am thankful for technology. More specifically, I am thankful for the way technology makes it easier to stay in touch with my family. Through Facebook and the internet, I’m more aware of the daily happenings of my mother and sisters than I have been in years. Three of my nieces are busy mothering infants and toddlers, and I can catch small glimpses into their lives that I might not otherwise know about. My oldest will probably at some point today play a video game with his cousins in Louisiana. My daughter texts the girl cousin closest to her age a few times a week (this cousin is 11 years older — our generations spread out and overlap a bit). All of these things are poor substitutes for real-life, face-to-face conversation, but it’s more than we’ve ever had before.

I am also thankful for a good God who through his common grace gives us good things to enjoy. That’s a sanctified way to say I’m excited about the beginning of baseball season. I can’t recall a time when I’ve anticipated Opening Day quite so much. Perhaps since 2010 was such a difficult year in our extended families, I’m ready for spring and the promise of a fresh start. Or maybe I’m just excited about baseball. Who knows. But I’m excited, and through the internet, I can share my excitement with my extended family that’s far away.

I realize that only a handful of my readers are baseball fans, let alone Cardinal fans, so you may not get the video. Ozzie Smith was the Cardinal shortstop during my teenage years. And every year when he took the field on Opening Day, he would do a back flip (I was told that he was limited to Opening Day for fear he would injure himself). Anyway, an Ozzie Smith back flip in honor of Opening Day:

Today, along with Kim at the Upward Call and a few others, I’m listing a few things I’m thankful for.

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Today has been an ordinary day. It’s cold and gray outside, and we had nowhere to go. The kids did some school, I did some reading, we all did some housework. Piano practice is underway upstairs, and I’m trying to figure out what to cook for supper.

When I worked outside the home, I loved days like today. In fact, the only thing I miss about working is the joy I felt on my days off. When a day at home means that you’re not spending the day at a job that stresses you out, it’s even more delightful.

But I still do enjoy quiet days at home, and I’m very thankful I have more of them than I used to.

Rebecca, along with a few others, is listing things she’s thankful for throughout the month of November. Today I’m joining her.

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I had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I got to see a lot of people I don’t often get to see. She wasn’t sure if it would work out until pretty much the time they walked out the door, but Sister #3 and her family got to come. A few didn’t make it, and we missed them, too.

I’m thankful for my family. You have to love people in order to miss them while they’re gone. I’m thankful I have people to miss.

Rebecca, along with a few others, is listing things she’s thankful for throughout the month of November. Today I’m joining her.

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Tim Keller on personal prayer. In this sermon, Tim Keller gave a paraphrase of Romans 8:28 that might be my new favorite quote: God will always give you what you would have asked for if you knew everything He knows.

Why I’m Ungrateful. Russell Moore shares a thoughtful post on gratitude, or lack thereof. Is there something you prayed for, fervently, in pleading in its absence that you haven’t prayed for, fervently, in thanksgiving in its presence?

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Today I’m thankful for a productive day. My office and another paper pile or two needed my serious attention, and I finally got to it. Now that everything is neatly filed away, the rest of the housework seems less daunting. Funny how that works, no?

Of course, I’m also mindful of C.S. Lewis’s observation that laziness means more work in the long run. How true. Some of the clutter was from of a project I’ve been working on, but much of it was just bills and papers I hadn’t bothered to file. But His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23), even when I haven’t been a good steward of my time.

Rebecca, along with few others, sharing something she’s thankful for every day of November. Today I joined her.

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Today I am thankful for the Butterfly Bush outside my kitchen window. It’s attracting lots of swallowtail butterflies: Zebra, Eastern Tiger, and Black forms this week. It gives me something pleasant to watch while I do the dishes.

I’m thankful for the upcoming holiday weekend, mostly because I am thankful to live in the United States. But I am also thankful that my husband has Monday off.

I’m thankful that I decided at 3 pm that waiting until the Friday before a holiday weekend to buy groceries was pure madness and went to the store today. The groceries are put away and tomorrow’s to-do list just got a lot simpler.

And although I’ve been sad to see my kids growing up, I don’t miss trying to grocery shop with small children. I am thankful that my kids are old enough to either stay home or be pleasant company if they go with me.

I’m joining Kim at The Upward Call and a few others in listing things I’m thankful for today.

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Today I’ve got a lot to be thankful for.

New babies. One of my nieces is going to make me a great-aunt yet again, and today is supposed to be the day. I’m praying for a safe delivery for mother and baby, and looking forward to the chance to once again kiss baby cheeks. The happiest days are when babies come.

My iPod.Having an iPod is a luxury, but I’m so glad I have one. I love to listen to sermons and podcasts as I perform some of the more mundane tasks in my day, and listening to great teaching helps keep my mind occupied.

Camp. I had a wonderful week at church camp with my two youngest, and this week my oldest son gets his turn. Since his suitcase needs to leave tonight, I expect today will be a flurry of laundry, list-making, and list-checking. I think he’ll have a lot of fun and also be spiritually challenged. That’s a great combination, and I’m thankful that he has this opportunity.

Kim at the The Upward Call likes to spend some time each Thursday listing things she’s thankful for. I’m joining her this week.

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