Thankful for Family

Today I'm thanking God for my family. I was blessed enough to be raised in a Christian home. I don't know why God chose to bless me in this way, but I'm so glad He did.
The other day I was talking to my little cousin. Now, she wasn't raised in a Christian home. She wasn't raised in a home at all really. She's 10 years old, and I can't even count the number of places she's lived or the number of people who she's lived with. Her mother has been known to have drug problems, and her father is more concerned with his own life than the life of his little girl. She's seen more in her young life than I can even imagine.
Yet, there are times when I treat my family with such disrespect. I act like they'll always be there. I forget that not everyone is so fortunate.
But the other day when this little girl was talking to me about how she's being shuffled back and forth like its the normal way to live, I realized how truly blessed I am. I have parents who raised me to go to church, whether I wanted to go or not. I have parents who love me. I have parents who pray for me.
Proverbs 31:28 says, "Her children arise up, and call her blessed;"
Now this verse is referring to the virtuous woman who is a good mother, but it applies to both parents for me. They have both been the Christian examples that I strive to follow. I only hope that Christ will shine through my life as He always has in theirs.