If you're like me, there have been times in life when it's difficult to make that list. Oh, certainly at the very least, we are grateful for a place to lay our heads and food to eat. And as believers, we are obviously thankful for the gift of salvation provided through the death and resurrection of Jesus. But what if there has been loss, unexpected tragedy, grave illness, hardship? There may be years when that turkey you craft looks like it's already had its feathers plucked!

I was on a walk recently and one of our local garbage hauling trucks approached on the other side of the street. I noted immediately that this particular truck was unusually clean and shiny, which seemed pretty nice for a garbage truck. The truck approached and passed me without incident, but OH MY! The stench it left behind nearly knocked me over! I picked up my walking pace to escape the lingering unpleasantness.

I especially dreaded what seemed to be a common occurrence in our elementary P.E. classes. The teacher would select two kids--usually the "popular" ones-- to be captains of opposing teams and the captains would take turns choosing teammates. Guess who was usually left until the very end when the last captain to choose would be stuck with me?