Teaching Me to Be Thankful

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

—Colossians 3:15-16

I grew up in Cedarburg, a northern suburb of Milwaukee. With my parents having grown up in Cedarburg as well, I was, and still am, very close to my family. On top of that, my sister Stephanie and I are just 14 months apart, so I've also had a close relationship with her, both as a sister and best friend. I've always been thankful for her, but it's her gratitude despite her struggles that has inspired me to be thankful every day.

As a baby, Stephanie was diagnosed with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome. The syndrome presents itself most often as port wine birthmarks and increased growth of tissue and bones. My sister has struggled with swollen and aching legs and through numerous surgeries as a child. When I think back to our childhood, though, I hardly even remember the surgeries or the doctor visits. Her last surgery, for scoliosis when she was 13, was more trying and resulted in a week stay in the hospital. But, I never remember a complaint or my sister every feeling bad for her condition.

Grade school was hard for her, but high school was even tougher. But, even with those mean-spirited remarks and the glances at her legs, my sister remained positive. Sure, she had her moments—we all do. But while I would fume about the comments I heard from classmates in the hallway, she was busy living her life and truly making the most of it.

Now, 10 years later, she is working through a divorce and trying her best to get her life back together. And, though there are still hard days, she's thankful. Thankful for family, thankful for friends, thankful for a job, and, most of all, thankful for her faith that keeps her together. Through this all, she's found strength in God and thanked Him for all the blessings in her life.

Simply, I find my sister an inspiration. I spend days worrying about the littlest things and completely forgeting to thank God for everything...all while my sister finds the silver lining in otherwise tough days. She forces me to take a moment and think about all that I've been given in my life—all the while remembering that those things I worry about are so inconsequential. And, the amazing part is that she likely doesn't even realize that she is such an example of happiness and gratitude.

November is the perfect time to remember those who we are thankful for and those who inspire us to be thankful. But every day of the year I realize how thankful I am for my sister—not just because of who she is, but who she makes me as well.

Heavenly Father, thank you for all that you given me, from the people in my life to the breaths I take every day. Help me to be gracious and thankful, despite the little difficulties that seem to take over my life. Help me remember the wonderful abundance of people and things in my life, all made possible through you. In Jesus' name, Amen.