Walk Up Music: Thanksgiving Edition

So, my usual m.o. involves posting my list after the entire week's complete, simply because I rarely know what kind of mood I'm in or exactly what music will speak to me on that given day. 

However, since next week is a short week for everyone (my district only goes 2 days and some of the other districts aren't even holding class once), I figured I'd avoid grading papers on a Saturday night be proactive and at least look productive. 

This week differs slightly as I'm including multiple options-one list is simply for the last day before the break and the other is good anytime. 


Thanksgiving Week:

• "Why Me, Lord?" by Willie Nelson or Kris Kristofferson.  Love this song because it takes a question so many have posed to God (Why?) and simply offers thanks and praise for the blessings given.  It's a really nice twist on a vulnerable question.
• "The Nerve" by George Strait.  There's a reason why George Strait is called "King George" by everyone in country music.  This song simply recounts small vignettes of people who were fearful but forged on past their fears.  It's a song of gratitude, acknowledging that some of the things that may be personally terrifying often lead to incredible blessings.
• "Unanswered Prayers" by Garth Brooks.  I love how it maturely reflects that the things we think we desire may not be God's best.  To borrow my favorite lyric from it:  "just because He doesn't answer, doesn't mean he don't care... some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers".  Amen
• "You're Going to Miss This" by Trace Adkins.  A couple of reasons why I love it:  first, one of the writers is a man who is a few years older than me but I know from church and it's always so nice to see a hometown guy succeed.  Second, it doesn't diminish that life is stressful and frustrating beyond belief but there are still reasons to be grateful.  
• "This" by Darius Rucker.  In case you haven't noticed, I'm a big fan of songs that address the fact that life often doesn't go as planned, yet somehow things are still good.  And I have personally lived the lyric: "Thank God for all I missed, cause it lead me here to this".  Preach, Brother Rucker.  Preach.
• "We Gather Together To Ask The Lord's Blessing", found in many a hymnal.  It's a sweet, simple melody.  And how can you not love a song who's words include, "Sing praises to His Name, He forgets not His own"?  Hallelujah!
• "Give Thanks" by Henry Smith.  We used to sing this song in youth group in high school and I adore it so much that last November I printed off lyrics for everyone at church so we could sing it.  Another song that simply shares how Christians are blessed beyond measure and owe a debt of gratitude to God that can never be repaid.          

The Last Day:

• "I Need Thee Every Hour".  Don't know about other denominations but this song is definitely a part of Methodist hymnals.  Don't know about you, but that last day before pretty much any break I need Jesus.  Every hour.  Every minute.  Every second.
• "One Day More" from Les Miserables soundtrack.  This sentiment often sparks a debate among colleagues and myself, but probably not for reasons you'd think.  There are people I work with who say it should not be played the day before a break, because since we're already in the building it's technically 0 days left until break.  However, I believe that as long as we have work to do, there is no such thing as 0 days.  Since we're working, it's a countdown-I will accept one day more, 6.5 hours more, 2 hours more, etc.  I am resolute in this assertion.  And if you're looking for a really fun version of "One Day More" go to YouTube and watch the James Corden carpool karaoke with the Broadway stars in it.  They sing this as their last song and it never fails to make me smile.  

Happy Thanksgiving!  Hope you get to spend it will loved ones and it refreshes your soul!