Thankful Thursday

It’s been a frustrating week or so for us; things just don’t seem to be going my way… I have to remember though in times like this, perhaps they’re not going my way because my way isn’t the best way; maybe they’re going GOD’S way.”  We all know that HE knows better than we ever could!

 

It’s a great reminder to find the good in everything – even the days when it seems like everything is going wrong.  This week I’m thankful for:

 

One thing I am just giddy about is the possibility of there being an actual homeschool co-op in our church.  I know a handful of ladies who inquired with me about this while I was still sick and pregnant (haha) and recently there is potential for two more sweet ladies and their darling children.  I have prayed and hoped for this opportunity for some time now and so I am excited.  My husband is happy to make some fun fliers for us to share with the body and we will see who else may be interested.  Starting slowly and starting small but my hope is great that God is in this and it will be great!

 

I sit, looking out the window this morning; all the rain we are getting lately, we have tulips coming up and our rose bushes and apple trees and berry plants  are all showing buds… Signs of life …. I love seeing things like that…amazing!

This reminds me of a sermon I heard recently that spoke to life being breathed into what was dead. As I see all of these things that seemed to be dead, gone forever, they are blooming and coming to life.  How I pray for life to be continually breathed into those in need of a refreshing, pouring out as never before.

I am grateful for children who are curious and eager to learn.  I love to see the excitement on their faces when they learn something new; to se them learning how to find the answers and how to help one another, working together, for answers to questions. And even just for fun and silly play 🙂

I am so very blessed.  My three children are excited and in love with their new baby sister. Eager to hold her and rock her so momma can have a shower or make a meal for everyone.  They consider themselves blessed to get the diapers, to show her their books and (my daughter) share ponies and dolls with her. The joy they get from these simple little things they do, it amkes me smile.  It makes this tired momma not so tired. Its invigorating! ❤

And I am so blessed in our little home.  No matter the things that need fixing, the paint that needs to be touched up; it is a home full of love. And granted it gets pretty loud and crazy at times but we are learning and living and growing together.  Its all a part of His plan for us; to learn and live for Him.

We are thankful for all those too who walk with us.  In our imperfections; in our good days and bad – Blessed are we and Blessed is the name of the Lord!

Wanting To Always Be In Thanksgiving

I recently began reading, slowly and carefully, Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.  I have to admit too I have really had to be honest with myself as I read, as to how grateful my heart is and how grateful it should be.  Nancy states again and again:

 Choosing to have a grateful heart in and through all circumstances is a choice.  It takes intentional effort on our part and doesn’t just happen.  If we’re not choosing gratitude we are choosing ingratitude – no middle ground here. 

Throughout this book I was reminded to exercise gratitude in every moment of every day. Not just for the meal and the home, that new book I wanted or the other “stuff” that we have. I was encouraged to really dig deeper; look at those simple little things in each day: the breath I breathe, my salvation, baptism in Jesus name that washed me, the power of the Holy Ghost that allows me to daily be refreshed in Him; what a blessing Jesus is. Wind on a warm day; light rain falling on my garden and baby apple trees; dogs to clean the kids lunch off the floor (haha).  And more and more I found myself simply being thankful for knowing Him as I do and being His chosen one. I do not ever want to forget what a blessing my Saviour is.  More than enough.

As I have been reminded as I read, and in some cases shouldn’t I know by now? *ouch*

“Christian gratitude involves:

• Recognizing the many benefits we’ve received from God and others (including those blessings that may come disguised as problems and difficulties).

• Acknowledging God as the ultimate Giver of every good gift,

• Expressing appreciation to Him (and others) for those gifts.”

“I have learned that in every circumstance that comes my way, I can choose to respond in one of two ways: I can whine or I can worship! And I can’t worship without giving thanks. It just isn’t possible. When we choose the pathway of worship and giving thanks, especially in the midst of difficult circumstances, there is a fragrance, a radiance, that issues forth out of our lives to bless the Lord and others.”

There is a song we have been singing a lot lately in our church that I am reminded of when I read the quote above: “Lift up your hands and sing for joy, clap your hands make a joyful noise; blow the trumpet and shout…praise Him for the victory….the weapons we use are not bombs and guns…worship is the way the battle is one…..praise Him for the victory…”

“Ingratitude is one of our enemy’s most lethal weapons.  Do we give glory to God for the part of our life that’s going the way we want?  Or do we worship Him, trust Him and give thanks, just because He is God–regardless of the dark, painful, incomprehensible places we encounter in our journey?”

And then there was this beautiful pledge that was placed carefully within the final pages of this book written by Russell Kelfer.  His suggestion was to write out this document on a piece of paper, sign your name at the bottom and recommit yourself to it on a regular basis. I signed and printed mine placing it within the pages of my Bible. It goes like this:
Having been born into the kingdom of God, I do hereby acknowledge that God’s purchase of my life included all the rights and control of that life for all eternity. I do further acknowledge that He has not guaranteed me to be free from pain or to have success or prosperity.  He has not guaranteed me perfect health.  He has not guaranteed me perfect parents.  He has not guaranteed me perfect children.  He has not guaranteed me the absence of pressures, trials, misunderstandings, or persecution. What He has promised me is eternal life.  What He has promised me is abundant life.  What He has promised me is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, meekness, and self-control.  He has given me all of Himself in exchange for the rights to my life. Therefore I acknowledge this day the relinquishment of all my rights and expectations, and humbly ask Him by His grace to replace these with a grateful spirit, for whatever in His wisdom He deems to allow for my life.

Such a beautiful prayer; a promise to God to always remember how precious His gift to us is. A gentle reminder that we were bought with a price, we are His, not our own. Let us always seek for His will to be done, not our own will, and be ever in thanksgiving and praise to the One True and Living God. Where would we be without Him?

 

Gratitude is born in hearts that take time to count up past mercies.

~ Charles Jefferson ~

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)
¹⁸  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Grace and Gratitude

Every time I hear the word grace, I am reminded that I must live a life, everyday, which reflects, my gratitude to God ~ Chuck Colson

 

Being thankful is a choice. It is something we willfully do each day.

I mean, let me very transparent here. I awake most mornings to my Bible and a cup of coffee. Sometimes I get some quiet in there too. Most days, no matter how early I awake, my children are very soon bounding down the steps with hug and kisses – Ready to start their day. No need for coffee or tea on their part! haha

Some days I do thank God for my joyful and loving children. but not every day. Some days, I have to admit it, I grumble. There goes my quiet times. So much for prayer and reading. They cannot sit still; they already have a plan in place. Its a rush of getting dressed to get outdoors, to walk, to do a new project (art or nature or story). They have a plan. And some days rather than appreciating their desire to go and do, I just want them to shoo  LOL

I admit it, on those mornings, I choose to be ungrateful for the blessings He has provided. I need to choose to be thankful; I need to be intentional in doing so. Every day. Regardless of whether I slept well or not; how loud everyone was in the morning; if the car works or if it stalled and we are home for the day. In sickness and health, in all things, it’s about choosing to be grateful because there is always something to be grateful for.  And how hard can it be when “His mercies are new every morning?” (Lamentations 3:23)

 

Gratitude Challenge: Day 22

Thank you Jesus – for simplicity – for the constant reminder that YOU are more than enough. That YOU will provide. That YOU will be there always, never changing ….

Glory to God!

Gratitude Challenge – Day 21

It isn’t that anything terrible is happening. It could always be worse right? 

Yet the daily struggles with my oldest son when it comes to his home school work, his Bible Quizzing; daily chores and just general niceties…..It is tiring. All I can do is pray, and wait on the Lord….. So many days lately I wonder….I f he cannot obey; if he cannot or will not hear instruction and direction. My little boy who was once so sweet and eager to please. He is now a bigger boy; one who wants to do it all on his own. Where has the time gone? Where has my first born disappeared to? Some days I hardly know him he so desperately wants to get away from his mom. Just to be alone to think or to draw or write.

It makes me sad. And sometimes it makes me feel hopeless for him. Truth be told he was my first born. My husband and I were not married – he was very unexpected – I was not in the church. I did not want the church. And I was not going to quit my career to stay home with a kid. There were daycares for that. And so he spent the first 4 years of his life with a wonderful and sweet woman but one who was not his mother. I barely saw him grow up and truth be told back then I just didn’t care. I had better things to do. It hurts to write that truth. And so I blame myself for all of his trials and struggles. Ones that I truly believe would not be if I had been in a better place back then. 

They say that daycare is good for a child; a child needs to go to school outside the home. But why? I compare my three. My oldest who sulks a lot. Who is so much more independent than I think any seven year old boy should be. He does not want  or need his mom (at least he thinks that is so) My two younger ones; I became a stay at home mom after our second son was born – my little ones are the light. They re bright and loving; so very affectionate and always wanting some time on my lap. They are always at my side wanting to partake in whatever it is I am doing. If only my oldest was even a little bit of the same….. 

We are to find glory in each of our little ones; they were all created by Him for His purpose. So why do I feel so crummy considering the first few years of my oldest son’s life? No looking back – must go forward. 

Let go of the guilt…..strive to hold onto  the hope – it will be better. God has an amazing plan for my son; one that will require him to use that strength and that independence that he has …. For God’s glory. 

In the meantime there is hope…..and hope can be found always because His word shows us how true He is to His chosen ones. 

Lazarus was raised from the dead; Mary and Martha found hope in this. (John 11)

Ruth and Naomi found hope when they moved their lives forward; they lost their family and had to start anew but there they found hope. (Ruth 3)

Abraham and Sarah found hope when Sarah conceived of a child at a very old age; it was not to be but they had hope and  the Lord provided in a miraculous way. (Genesis 15, 17-18)

What about Joseph? Talk about hope – he was imprisoned; betrayed by his brothers; a slave who rose above all of that for the Glory of God because…..He had hope 

Today I come before you Lord and I thank You for the hope You give us to heal us in our brokenness; to give us greater faith; to bring us into a deeper relationship and walk with You… May we remember and believe in the strength found in your great name Lord; may we always remember and hope for those things which are unseen knowing that you alone make all things good! 

Gratitude Challenge – Day 19

So I fell behind on my blogging for this challenge….Travel is always my time to unplug a bit. Since we spend more time with the family than without – It just isn’t right to be online during our time there of course 🙂 Much as I do admit, I missed this little outlet.

The Bible says to have friends, we should show ourselves to be good and kind; giving and true. The proverbs contain much wisdom about both being a friend and finding a friend. And in many cases praying for God to send us that very special friend.  As someone who is very introverted, I mean the idea of any kind of gathering with more than a handful of people makes me sick, I get so uneasy…..It seems impossible to me. In fact I had a very dear friend tell me once that my “unique personality was one that would never fit in; that I must celebrate who I am no matter what anyone thinks or says..”  I love this woman; she is like another mom to me; my mentor in the faith – one who I can go to about anything with no fear, no reservations. I do wish we were together more often. But I am so grateful the Lord sent us to one another regardless.

Proverbs 27:5-6 says, “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful”

It seems true honesty is lacking today – so many are more concerned with just keeping the peace. So few that I meet challenge me to go further; to test and search within. I am tempermental; I am old fashioned, traditional…..I do not believe in cell phones or texting and frankly I have lost more potential friends because of the obsession so many have with these little devices. I want honesty; I also want integrity. And I need to know that people understand that I want to – I need to – be challenged and inspired. I cannot befriend one who is just treading water…Can you?

I count my blessings, my friends, today ~I am so very grateful for those who are placed in my life, who make me think, make me change and grow and inspire me to do greater things each day.

As always for His glory!

Proverbs 27:17 – As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

Gratitude Challenge – Day 18

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.” (2 Tim 4:7-8)

The boys are loud…they are fighting….wrestling….tackling….my daughter is loud; she will not let me put her down ….. for any reason … the kids are fighting….all three of them – screams, tears…..

Am I grateful for all of this mess? You bet I am! Its hard to remember sometimes but today I remind myself that they are at home. They are with me; they are with one another. They sit and listen as I read His word; they share their thoughts and their stories with each other; they snuggle close while we read and while we watch a show or two.

Is this faith? Oh how I some days struggle in my faith – Some days, like yesterday in fact, I forget that my life with Him is NOT going to be easy; He does not promise me a quiet home, clean and quiet children. Rather He promises me life, His blessings; He promises me trials to strengthen and grow those fruits that are needed in my life. He reminds me in all the trials that come my way each day, that He is with me.

Sometimes it is hard to remember that the Christian life is one big fight. We are always fighting and if we are not fighting, perhaps we should reconsider our walk with Him.   There is a reason He tells us to “put on the full armour of God…..” every. day. Not today and maybe sometime next week; not for an hour or two on Monday and then for a couple minutes the day after…We are told to put it on every. day. No if’s, and’s or but’s. Get it? It will not be easy – It is war. Spiritually. Mentally. Physically. Emotionally. Financially. We are at war. Do not forget. Do not deceive yourself.

“Lord, it’s not hard to see why Satan attacks. May I continue to be enough of a threat to him to merit his attention! Don’t ever let me become so anemic in my Christian walk that he doesn’t need to bother with me. Amen.” A.W. Tozer

The moment I hear myself start begging Him to remove these struggles, these constant trials, from my life – it is the very moment that I realize I have stopped walking. I have sat down. Maybe I have let go; even if it was just for a moment. Reach out….touch the Hem of His garment; it is all we need. Hear Him remind us…We win. In the end? We win. Not the world, not the devil…We win. That’s awesome. Glory to God! HalleluYah!

I’ve got the victory.

You’ve got the victory.

Praying today that He shall strengthen my faith daily; praying that He will be with me in those times that He is giving me opportunity to go higher. Jesus be with me – walk with me, talk with me….

It’s hard to remember, its hard to see but these trials are great, awesome opportunities….Let us rejoice in our trials and do it all for the Glory of God!

Gratitude Challenge – Day 17

Tonight….I sit reading and all I can think is how grateful I am for the Lord’s grace & mercy. Join me in praying Psalm 91 and if you are unsure as to what you have to be grateful for in this hour, I pray this will minister to you as it has to me:

Psa 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Psa 91:2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Psa 91:3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
Psa 91:4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Psa 91:5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
Psa 91:6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
Psa 91:7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
Psa 91:8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Psa 91:9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
Psa 91:10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
Psa 91:11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
Psa 91:12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Psa 91:13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
Psa 91:14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
Psa 91:15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
Psa 91:16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Gratitude Challenge – Day 16

Time. We all have so much and yet we never seem to have enough.

Psalm 139 “Where can I go from your Spirit?… All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

He knows all that we do, that we shall do or that we do not do …. before we ever do it …. Amazing!

Time….Stewardship ….What does it all mean? Should we put these biblical principles into practice, we shall enjoy great freedom and fulfillment, such that comes only from being servants of Christ. (John 12:26; Col. 3:24).

The Greek word for stewardship is oikonomia, from which we derive the word economy. This word means “management of a household,” and it refers to the responsibility entrusted to one as a manager.

A steward acts as an administrator of the affairs and possessions of another. We have been entrusted with a stewardship; the things we call our own are not really ours, but God’s. We have no possessions, we do not even own ourselves: “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Cor. 6:19-20; see 1 Cor. 3:23).

According to Scripture, we are accountable to God for everything. Whether we have much or little, our key responsibility as His stewards remains the same:
faithfulness. “Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards
that one be found trustworthy” (1 Cor. 4:1-2).

Stewardship is faithfully using whatever God gives us (opportunities, interests, skills, employment, family, talents, spiritual gifts, land, money, etc.) for His glory.
The theme of stewardship ranges from Genesis 1-2 when God made the man and woman stewards of this planet, to Revelation 21-22 when God will make His
children stewards of the new creation. We have been given enough time to accomplish God’s purpose for us on this planet. The Scriptures exhort us to invest our time wisely, reminding us
that God determines the length of our stay on earth. “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the
days are evil” (Eph. 5:15-16). Toward the end of his life, Moses prayed, “So teach us to number our days, that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom” (Ps. 90:12).
Time is our most valuable asset, but without a proper perspective, we will spend it foolishly.

How much quality time do we spend with the Lord, with our spouse, with our children, and with our non-Christian friends? God wants us to be faithful stewards, not
squanderers, of the time He has given us.

Let us today consider being grateful for the time and the stewardship which He has given us. Today I pray that He will guide me in all that I do for His great glory 🙂