July 1st is...

I'm thankful for wide open spaces. For endless prairie skies. For the wind in the waves of ripened grain and tall grass. For "character-building" winters. I'm thankful for hardiness and endurance! I'm thankful we're known the world over as friendly people. (most of us, anyway!)

I'm thankful for freedom, even though some insist on exercising it in unattractive ways. I'm thankful for choices in education, occupation, and relationships. I'm thankful it's still possible to worship without fear, to not have to meet with other believers in hiding.

I'm thankful for all the choices that don't get made FOR me ~ how to dress, how to act, how to live, how to believe. I'm thankful failure to abide by the rules isn't automatically punishable by death. I'm thankful for opportunities to learn from my mistakes.

I'm thankful for all the luxuries I have the luxury of whining and complaining about. I'm thankful I'm learning, on a daily basis ~ however painfully slow the process seems to be going! ~ how to live more gratefully; developing an attitude of contentment one struggle at a time. I'm thankful for unexpected treats and delights from family, friends.... and God.

I'm thankful for the national anthem, though I wish we would sing it through more often. Especially the last verse:

Ruler Supreme,
Who hearest humble prayer,
Hold our dominion in Thy loving care.
Help us to find
O God, in Thee, a lasting, rich reward,
As waiting for the better day,
We ever stand on guard.

God keep our land
Glorious and free!
O Canada! We stand on guard for thee.
O Canada! We stand on guard for thee.
I'm so thankful for my country, though not as much or as regularly as I should be. I find myself often looking at other nations with "greener grass goggles," but really,

I have it so good.