On this Thanksgiving day, 2008, I am taking a moment to contemplate all that I have to be thankful for! Amongst all the troubles in the world, the troubles in the financial world, the wars, the pain and sickness and hardships, even in our own family, it is a little harder this year to find a "Thankful heart". But . . .
Gratitude comes from having the right perspective. It's being able to look at what we have and being thankful for that, not longing for what we don't have. So, I definitely have lots to be thankful for: God has blessed me with a wonderful family, we have a nice home, good jobs, cars, plenty of food and clothes - what more could we want?
Then God said to me (and to all of you, too) "Do you know why you should feel grateful? YOU are a part of God's plan, YOU are touched by God's tenderness and mercy and forgiveness, YOU are victorious in God's victory. What greater blessing could there be?"
It's incredible that anyone could look at the kindness of God, the faithfulness of God, and the goodness of God and not feel any emotion of gratitude.
Remember the Lord. Remember who is in control. Remember His goodness in the past. Remember God's closeness in the present. Remember His power for the future.
Read Jeremiah 29:11-14. Can you share a plan God has for you that you feel is being carried out.
6 comments:
I will share how I believe God has worked out His plan in my life. When I was a senior in high school, I got a scholarship for the highest grade on the entry test to the College of Great Falls! That was a miracle. While at college I met a wonderful guy named "Philip Joseph Eve" who became my husband. Another wonderful miracle. I believe that was God's plan for both of us. We were blessed with the most wonderful children - seven of them. All miracles! All beautiful, healthy, and good babies. I didn't know it then, but do now, God was training me through the years for some "jobs" he had in mind for me. The most important of which was, raising my children to be good, christian people, and teaching my grand children about the love of God. He allowed me to be a part of a leadership camp through 4-H, where I learned to like me, and I learned a lot about what I could do if I put my mind to it. Then when we moved to Billings I became a part of "The Children of Joy and Gladness" prayer group, and was a leader there for about 15 years. In that time, I started the first guitar music group at St. Pius, I became the Religious Ed Director for grades pre-school through 8th grade. I thank God I was allowed to move to Billings for those 20 years and learn about myself and about how much God loves me, and how He has a plan for my life. I'm sure He's not finished yet, and I am waiting for His leading me to where He wants me now. Who ever would have thought I could be a leader! Only by the grace of God, and the people He placed in my life who helped me carry out His plans. I am always amazed by His amazing love! And "miracles"!
Good story, Mom! I, for one, am sure glad you had 7 children, and not, say, 5 children! I wonder if you would have ever found your leadership role if you hadn't found the Lord?
My very favorite chapter in the Bible is Psalm 139... that's the one that tells us God has a plan for us. He knew we were going to be born even before our parents did. We were planned!
He has a plan for every one of his children. But we have to listen, which begins with obeying God...which begins with knowing God...which begins with reading God's Word. I would really encourage everyone to read your Bible every day. There is a lot in the Bible that is hard to understand. It's supposed to be that way, so if you're new to this, start with John in the New Testament. Read a chapter a day, asking God for wisdom to show you what He wants you to understand. Then read all the Gospels. The Bible is an exciting, living book. The best book ever written!
Mom, you are so right when you said being thankful is all about perspective. I have much to be thankful for, too! I'm thankful that I have such a big, loving, caring family and I'm thankful that I am an American. (I'm also happy that I have a long weekend!) Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Thank you, Debbie - and you are right on about the bible and reading it every day! It's amazing how God can speak through His words on the pages of the "Good Book".
I have to tell a little story about that. I hope Kay and Debbie don't mind. One time when Kay came camping - maybe 10 years ago - at Dry Wolf. Debbie always gets up early and takes her chair down by the creek and reads and prays. She always did that and still does. Well, Kay is an early riser, too, and came down to the creek to talk to Debbie. But, Debbie was again reading her bible. So Kay says: "You were reading that book last year when we were camping, aren't you finished with it yet?" I thought that was pretty funny.
I am most thankful for the little pleasures in life: the song of a tiny bird, the sunrise that welcomes a whole new day, the sunset that God painted just for His children, the smell of a baby's breath and the touch of a tiny hand, the scent of flowers, trees blosomming in the spring, the sound of the water lapping against the shore, the sihgt of Mt. Rainier - I could go on forever!! Our God is such a faithful, kind, loving God -- and I am thankful for that!
I agree with you, Sharon! People who say there are no miracles any more would be wise to think as you do!
I love that story, Mom. Kay is a funny one, all right!!
Well, you know it IS a funny thing about "that book!" I haven't finished it yet, either!!
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