Part of volunteering at CAP and living in a volunteer house is sharing a meal and a devotion four times a week. Devotions are reflections put together by whoever cooks dinner and they can be pretty much anything. They’re a way to get to know one other and think about why we’re here and how we’re growing through our time together.

Last week two CAP employees from Christian Partners came and cooked a delicious dinner for us (soup and homemade bread – yum!). Afterwards, they led a devotion about being thankful. One of the main points was that there are so many little things we take for granted, like heated houses and clean water. It got me thinking about how so many things that frustrate me or stress me out are tied up in things that I am truly grateful for. This was an especially important revelation after my trip to Chicago last weekend. Going back reminded me how much I miss it and how much I love the people that I left there – but even though missing people is not a good feeling, it sure beats the alternative of not having people to miss. So here is my [unfinished] list of things I am thankful for… some are fairly obvious, and some I have to work a little harder at.

• having people to miss
• living in community
• the ability to travel
• volunteering
• hot showers and warm blankets
• good conversations
• people who listen to me and want me to listen to them
• caring about things enough to worry about them
• small, unexpected acts of kindness
• inside jokes
• 4th graders
• the internet
• Thursdays
• long car rides with good music
• generous hearts
• “working” for an organization where I can eat lunch and talk about deer with the CEO
• having many options for the future
• genuine people
• hugs
• the ability to read and write
• experiencing new cultures
• television shows that make me laugh out loud
• having many places to call home

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” – William Arthur Ward

Erin C. is a long-term volunteer in Educational and Recreational Programming. She's also thankful to live in the Jackson Volunteer Community.