Turkey Reminders

We've had a turkey in our deep freeze since early December. What can I say? It was a great after Thanksgiving turkey sale. This week I felt like eating turkey, so I cooked it up today and we had a little Thanksgiving in February, complete with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and even some cranberries (they were in the freezer, too).

I've always thought it was the spirit of the actual holiday itself that made me ponder all of God's good gifts to me. Over the years, making a mental list of all I have to be thankful for while I cook our meal has become part of my personal Thanksgiving tradition.

I think I was wrong. I think it might actually be the big bird that puts me in a grateful state of mind.

It was a bit strange to making "Thanksgiving-y" food in February, but just like on Thanksgiving, my mind started playing over all of the many blessings I have been given:

grace, love, forgiveness, a hard working husband, wonderful (albeit noisy) children, my fleece blanket, a washing machine, Pride and Prejudice DVDs, godly parents, my favorite kitchen knife, the opportunity to teach the noisy children - and the list goes on.

If feels good to be thankful. I can't feel sorry for myself or frustrated with where God has placed me or covetous of what my neighbor has if I am feeling grateful. They just don't mix.

Hmmmmm....guess I should cook a turkey more often.