Thanksgiving reflection

It's a tradition in my family every Thanksgiving to go around the table & have everyone share what they're thankful for. Growing up, my brother & I thought this was annoying & had to think hard to come up with a legit answer (besides the typical "I'm thankful for mom's long nails so she can scratch our backs", etc). Nowadays, I can't stop coming up with things I'm thankful for: I am thankful for my wonderful husband and look forward to the father he will be to our children, I am thankful for my wonderful parents who continue to be such a great example of what I want to be "when I grow up", I am thankful for my family & in-laws for their support and encouragement, I am thankful for my career and all the little blessings I work with each day, and I am thankful for my friends who have been there for me and continue to lift me up in tough (read: "freak-out") moments. Most importantly, I am thankful that God has chosen to bless Kris & me with 3 growing angels and that we continue to receive positive news at every appointment - we can't wait to meet these little guys!!

Yesterday my mom sent me an e-mail that really hit home - it's simple, but to the point. I hope it speaks to you as well:

A Better Plan from a Better Planner
By John Ortberg

It’s almost Thanksgiving, with Christmas right behind. Often on the holidays we become aware that life does not go the way we plan. We think to ourselves:

I was supposed to be married by now.
I was supposed to be promoted by now.
I was supposed to have retired, or to have children, or to have achieved this dream-
Or, I wasn’t supposed to go bankrupt. I wasn’t supposed to lose my job, or get divorced, or get cancer.
What do you do when life doesn’t turn out the way you planned?
One of the great statements of the Bible reads: “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD. Plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope, and a future.’
Jeremiah 29:11

We all have plans. But God does not say: “I know the plans YOU have for you…”
In the Bible, God is always interrupting somebody’s plan.
Adam didn’t plan on getting created.
Noah didn’t plan on building an ark.
Abraham didn’t plan on becoming the father of a new nation in his 90’s.
Esther didn’t plan on stopping genocide.
Moses didn’t plan on defying Pharaoh.
Mary didn’t plan on getting pregnant.

Not a single story in the Bible begins: “Then someone had a great plan…”
But God has a plan.
Better than our plan.

So even if we have many disappointments, we have something else, something to be grateful for. We are part of somebody else's plan; a better plan, from a Better Planner. His plan is better than we could invent ourselves in a million years.

Gratitude is one of the best parts of the plan.

Even though things haven't gone according to "MY" plan, I am grateful and excited to see what God has in store for us! What are you thankful for this year???