My Top Ten

Tis the season to be thankful, Fa la la la laa, la la la la!

My faith. Where would I be without God in my life? I used to entertain the idea of a life sans God. Now the thought is foreign to me. What would I be without Him? Life without the promise and hope of Heaven and seeing His face is bleak and pointless. Meaningless. I’m so thankful for His faithfulness. No one will ever be able to understand how much I am grateful for His sustaining hand and how, no matter what I’ve done to Him or treated Him, He has never left me forsaken or crying out to Him.

My parents. I can’t imagine how much they have sacrificed over the years for my siblings and I. I can’t imagine them packing up their lives and moving from their families and home and coming to the states. I can only hope that someday I can be as sacrificial a parent as they have been.

My sister. I don’t tell her often but I love her and can’t imagine life without her. I often try to but end up making myself sad! We rarely see eye to eye but she has always been there for me! I love her.

My brother. He has always been there and even though he’s hundreds of miles away, he is still being a big bro!

My family. I get a bit chocked up here. I love my family to pieces. Extended family, immediate…all of them. J They are the craziest bunch I’ve known and I’m proud to be a Menzies-Slusher!

My pastor. There was a time, brutal honesty here, where his name may not have been on this list. I saw him too much as a man with many faults and shortcomings. I’ve known him almost all my life and knew saw him more as an uncle than a pastor. I couldn’t understand why he did what he did and said what he did. I saw him as controlling, and interfering. Then I went to God for my attitude. Every time I got to my knees, I begged God for a true and deep love and an appreciation for this man who “holds my soul”. I can’t tell you when it happened but it did. I love him beyond words can say. I can’t say that I always understand him or what he does but I have a deep respect for him and his office. He stands between me and heaven (or hell!) and if he seems to take things further than I think should be, who am I to complain?! If it’s keeping me out of Hell, thank you! (And I am not perfect, I still struggle with this at times…)

My friends! I can’t give shout outs because someone will be left out but Jennifer and Lyda keep me from doing and saying things that may make me lose my job! They always have an encouraging word for me. Jennifer is awesome. Who else could I call at 12 midnight or 8am and chit chat with? Who else would enjoy a good giggle fest at 1am on Saturday morning?! Who else could I share my dreams and emotions with? Lyda is my “oldest friend”. I met her the summer I turned 11, I believe. Oh, to be that young again! I hope to always count her as one of my dearest friends. She knows exactly what to say to make me feel better about myself.

My job. It’s not the greatest and I don’t love coming to work but I’m thankful that I have one and that throughout the Great Recession, I’ve never been in want.

Vacation time! I’m so thankful for a job (crummy as it is!) that offers me vacation time because sometimes I think it’s the only thing that keeps me sane! (along with Jesus, of course!)

My car! Speaking in faith here! LOL