It was one of "those days"

…where a call somehow comes through your iPhone and wakes you up at 4:45 a.m., despite the fact that the data is turned off.

…where you leave your key, and your wallet, and your computer (which is playing David Archuleta Christmas) in your room…and the door locks behind you.

…where you take the car and notice the dog following you, because she didn’t understand your American accent when you told her “stay home”…so you stop the car in the middle of the road and load her into the trunk.

…where you drive into the forest to pick up frozen meat from a French dog trainer, and you call him to let him know that you’re at the abandoned, padlocked gate in the back…and “votre crédit de communication est epuisé.” Again.

…where you really want to be fluent in French, but you tend to speak it like you’re six years old. And nervous.

…where you forget your reusable French grocery bag, and have to buy one at the store. For the third time.

Thankfully, it was also one of those days…

…where you’re able to fall back asleep after shutting the darn phone off.

…where you find the back door to the house miraculously still cracked open, allowing you to make a phonecall and figure out where the heck the spare is.

…where you’re actually kind of grateful for the fact that the lonely dog’s in the trunk, given that you’re sitting on the side of an abandoned Roman road for a good thirty minutes, waiting and phoneless. And you didn’t really want to be lonely, either.

…where another miracle happens, and your phone kicks into gear and lets you get a hold of the dog trainer after the fourth attempt. And he answers. And he lets you in.

…where the dog trainer (who’s not nearly as scary as you thought he’d be by the look of that gate) and his son/assistant/attractive-person-your-age (?) both smile encouragingly as you butcher their language, and seem to genuinely enjoy your American Texan accent.

…where okay, yeah, you forgot the grocery bag. But who cares? You got the groceries. Which means that you have everything you need to start preparing the most ridiculously extravagant Texa-French-ican Thanksgiving dinner of all time.

Just two days, y’all! There’s so much to be thankful for. Like these people, for instance.

I don’t think I could love my beautiful family much more! But I’ve been wrong before.

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

“Thankfullness is not some sort of magic formula; it is the Language of Love, which enables you to communicate intimately with [God]. A thankful mindset does not entail a denial of reality with its plethora of problems. Instead, it rejoices in Me, your Savior, in the midst of trials and tribulations.” Sarah Young, Jesus Calling

In the midst of trials, tribulations, expired cell phones, lost keys, dog-food pickups, and broken French, He is there. Opening doors. Flinging windows open. Bringing light.

Thank you, Lord, for your provision! Nothing is too big or too small for you. Thank you for walking beside me. Thank you for this time of learning and growth.

Thank you for showing me the way. Thank you for being The Way. Help me to show you to others with my life.

What’s made you grateful lately? How will you be giving thanks in two days?