Thankful Thursday

As you know if you read yesterday's post, I have decided to treasure my family more and to be thankful for them. In that spirit I have decided to have a regular thankful thursday post. Or I will try to be regular in posting, anyway.

Today I am going to list some of the blessings and treasured moments from yesterday. Note: do not expect concise lists. I ramble. Bear with me.

1. Yesterday we volunteered at a campaign headquarters. My children wanted to help but until yesterday it was mostly jobs they couldn't help with and so they had dutifully sat quietly and read. (And that in itself is something to be very thankful for... that they can and do read willingly for hours.) But, yesterday, there was mailing to be done. My daughter eagerly helped. After a while my son, who had not been interested, noticed that his sister was not going to finish and jumped in to help. And together they diligently worked on the campaign. Joyfully. Carefully. And I was blessed and my heart was warmed by this shared time.

They are eager to be involved in our political system. To participate in our democratic process. Yesterday, a couple came in who had never voted and they declared this and that were 58 years old. My children were shocked and we discussed it later in the day. I am so thankful that my children are eager for the day when they can vote, even though they know that one vote out of a hundred million is such a small drop... they are proud to be part of a system where the government is for the people, by the people. And I am so thankful that I am able to participate in this WITH my children.

2. Which brings me to another reason to be thankful... that we are in a democratic republic founded on Judeo-Christian values. America does offer us great freedoms including the freedom to worship our God. And as we fast approach the election season, it is a grand time to be thankful for this blessing... and to remember in prayer those who are struggling or persecuted because they do not have this beautiful freedom.

3. Yesterday, I had much reason to rejoice and be thankful with my daughter. Just a few years ago, I lamented on her ever writing. Every sentence was dragged out from her by force. Now, she loves to write. She writes for school and for herself. And yesterday, she began a story that is so well written I couldn't hope to do its equal. And I praise our Father for His blessings, that I could walk this road with her and share in this great joy.

4. I have one more moment from yesterday that made my heart swell. Yesterday my son was reading on the Ironclads of the Civil War with great interest. He read that whole book, sharing with me every new thing he found, and I tried to be thankful, admittedly by the 10th detail about this topic I was past interested and struggling to "treasure this moment." Then that evening, dad got home from work and plopped down on the sofa... which I am happy had room for him to plop down upon. And while he talked to us, his eyes fell upon the book about the Ironclads. He picked it up. And within minutes he was hooked too. And the next thing I know, my son and hubby are deep into this book, huddled together.... discussing the Ironclads with great enthusiasm. This is an interest I do not share... but I am so thankful for this father-son shared interest and that bond they share.