Day 14 of 24 Days of Thanks

Memories....

1. Going to the ATL Braves games with my dad when I was little.
2. My mom making dozens and dozens of muffins for our neighbors at the holidays
3. My sister telling me everything I was getting for my 13th birthday on my birthday eve.
4. Kickball in the backyard with all the neighborhood kids.
5. College friends
6. Remodeling a 100 year old farmhouse
7. Beautiful people who have gone home to Jesus before I was ready to see them go
8. Old Friends...and new
9. James Bible Study
10. Savannah's baptism

Today I'm thankful God allows us to enjoy sweet memories of the past. The times shared with people, doing things that we enjoy helps us get through the tough times. Memories help motivate us to move forward....knowing there are new memories to make all the times. I'm thankful God has given us this opportunity to recall the good, pleasant and fun memories instead of only the unpleasant. He's been so good to us!

Day 13 of 24 Days of Thanks

I'm sitting here watching my 9 year old daughter study for Bible study tomorrow. She's laying in the floor...fresh out of the shower...studying God's Word. I'm thankful for a friend who thought Savannah might enjoy going with her to Bible Study on Wednesday mornings but knew I couldn't take her, so she offered to pick her up...take her to breakfast and then to Bible study every week since school started! I'm thankful for the women who invest in her during crafts and games and music and Bible study time. This has been such a blessing for Savannah to study God's Word on her own and then go back and talk about it with kids her own age. Thanks CBS workers and teachers!

Day 12 of 24 Days of Thanks

Trials...I can't say that I've been grateful for them until recently...and even then...on some days...in my flesh, I am not. But today I can see how the trials of the last year are building my faith in Jesus...and isn't He what it really is all about anyway? A friend and I texted each other almost daily for a month with a phrase..."Less is More". During one of the most difficult trials I have ever gone through this little phrase reminded me daily that it's during those difficult times that I have to depend on Jesus more...and less on myself, my desires, my selfishness, hopes and dreams. Unless those things are fully grounded in Christ...I need less of them and more of Him. Trials have a way of exposing all our weaknesses. I found out many things about myself and how God's grace is maturing me...I surely haven't arrived yet!!

As I look back at the last year...I realize that my faith has grown by leaps and bounds. Those trials God allowed have strengthened my roots in Him. I trust that He knows my breaking point and will deliver me when His time is perfect. He's proven that over and over to me. My job is to endure....I don't have the responsibility or the omniscience to do anything before He says. Thank you Lord that you are interested and invested in our relationship!

What are you thankful for today?

Day 11 of 24 Days of Thanks

For the first time in a long time we have nothing on the schedule this Saturday morning. It was so nice to ignore the urge to set the alarm last night! When I awoke this morning and it was still dark outside I didn't have to wonder what time it was...because...it didn't matter!

I'm thankful for the rest God provides us. Whether we take it or not is our choice...that's the freedom He gives us, but He does know what is best for our bodies and our souls. He provided us His example in creating that 7th day for rest. There's no reason to feel guilty for taking this day if I've worked hard this week taking care of the things God told me to! So today...resting a little this morning....enjoying the cuddles of two kids...the late start for Bruce at the church....the cartoons...and a slower pace.

What are you thankful for today?

Day 10 of 24 Days of Thanks

Last night I shared in a beautiful worship service with about 150 ladies at our church. God truly blessed as we gathered for the sole purpose of worship, thanksgiving and praise. It was a memorable evening filled flawed individuals embracing an opportunity to worship a holy perfect God. The great thing is, we were reminded at the end of the evening that we can worship everywhere.



When I think about the sacrifice that God has made for me to be close to Him, I am amazed and humbled and overwhelmed. I willingly want to worship everyday....all day. What a difference this will make in my life!

So, today I'm thankful He allows us to worship...to come boldly...to walk worthy though we are incredibly unworthy...to enter His presence with thanksgiving....to praise Him...to honor Him...to love Him. The rocks and hills speak of His glory....why shouldn't I?

What are you thankful for today?

Day 9 of 24 Days of Thanks

I'm getting in right under the deadline today! Whew!

I'm making the last minute preparations for our Women's Night of Worship and Thanksgiving and I am so thankful for all the ladies and men who have played a huge part in everything that will take place tomorrow night. From making desserts, decorating, playing an instrument, singing, giving a testimony, reading a scripture, all the techie stuff, countless hours of practice and planning, nursery workers, people who have prayed....I'm just thankful for them all. I'm thankful that no matter what our jobs are....God will get the glory and the praise for any good thing that happens! I'm thankful I serve a God who is worthy of all the attention we can give Him!

What are you thankful for tonight?

Day 8 of 24 Days of Thanks

Prayer....a lot has been said about it in the Bible, by scholars and demonstrated by struggling math students in classrooms across the world through the years. There have been songs sung, poems written, quippy quotes quoted....seems like if there is one thing in the Christian life most religions can agree on, it's the power of prayer.

I'm not sure how it all works..except that I know Jesus is interceding to the Father for me. That fact astounds me. To think that in East Texas a girl can pray and that prayer goes to Jesus Christ...the very Savior of this World...and then He takes that request to God the Father....WOW! That is a humbling fact.

I also know there are no unanswered prayers. There was a country song many years ago that alluded to the fact that maybe there were, but alas...I disagree. God always answers our prayers. In perfect time, He gives us a "go", "stop" or "wait". I love hearing "Go" because that means I got my way....and who doesn't love that? But "Stop" and "Wait" are rarely received as such gifts. However, I recently read about someone who looked at God's "stop" and "wait" as a message from God that something better, safer, more desirable was ahead...so, don't "go" or you will be settling for second best...not God's best. That description sounded a while lot more palatable (not that it is necessary) for me and more like the loving God that I know.

I am also very encouraged when I see God answer the prayers of someone who has been faithful to pray for some one or some thing for years. In my own life I have struggled with long-term prayer commitment- The kind that God waits years and years to answer. Recently a friend of mine had an exciting long-term prayer request answered and I was so excited for her....not only for her prayer to be answered, but also for her faithfulness to have been rewarded. What a faithfulness to God's timing and His omniscience. Make me more faithful, Lord.

Thank you Lord for answered prayer...for the "go" "stop" and "wait".

What are you thankful for today?