Thankful Thursday

A wise man once said, "There is an appointed time for everything."

The last few months have been a time for investing a lot of time and energy into family;

supporting Dad and Mom as they experience transition in their living situation

hosting brothers as they came into town to assist with the changes

hosting our daughter and grandson 

walking through struggles with our kids

I'm thankful God has provided resources to be able to do these things

If we tried to accomplish them in our own strength, it certainly would have been a fiasco

But He gives grace and peace and rest

I'm very thankful for His abiding presence

I'm also thankful that a time has come for some R&R

I'm looking forward to getting away for a few days with my wonderful wife

I'm thankful we enjoy spending time together and thankful God has opened up this opportunity

As I spoke with a friend this afternoon, and learned of some discouraging news he received recently, I was reminded that Jesus told us,  "In the world you have tribulation,"

I'm thankful He gave me that heads up

and I'm thankful He didn't stop there, but went on to say, "but take courage; I have overcome the world."

I'm thankful God walks with me at all times, including those situations where trouble seems to be mounting quickly

I'm grateful He gives peace and comfort

I'm thankful I have a standing invitation to come to Him when the burdens are overwhelming

I'm thankful there is a time for rest

and grateful He gives rest to the weary

I'm thankful God never grows weary or tired; He never slumbers or sleeps, but is always watchful

and I'm thankful that although this life is filled with struggle, I have a hope from God that one day I will be in His presence, worshiping Him, free from all pain and turmoil

He is worthy of all praise!

I'm forever grateful I am His child

Thankful Thursday

Today was a challenging day

I was hoping to wrap up a project, but that didn't happen

I'm thankful for God's grace in dealing with the challenges and unexpected twists and turns

and then just as I was getting in the van for my hour and a half ride home it started to rain--HARD!

I knew that my wife was also about to get on the road driving home from the airport where she had taken our daughter and grandson

I'm thankful God was with us, and both or us arrived home safely

I'm thankful He is a shield about us and the lifter of our heads

I'm thankful God invites us to call out to Him, and that He responds when we do

got a message from our daughter that our grandson slept for most of the flight from Philly to St. Louis

thankful God answered our prayers that he would handle the trip well

it was so good to have them here with us for the past week

I'm thankful for family

God tells me that children are a blessing from Him

thankful He has blessed me three times over plus one

and if children are a blessing, grandchildren must be a double blessing!

thankful for the smiles, laughter, and time spent with my grandson

the miles that separate us don't diminish how much we enjoy him

I'm thankful God is my strength and my song

thankful He draws me into His presence and allows me to see His glory

when I got up this morning, and looked out the window, the moon was gorgeous

it was either full or very close to full, and there was an orange glow all around it in the clouds

I'm thankful for the way the heavens declare God's glory

thankful all creation shouts forth His praise

and I want to join with them in proclaiming how great God is

thankful He is holy and righteous

thankful He is compassionate and merciful

thankful He is faithful and true

thankful He is the God of all comfort and the Father of mercy

thankful He is not limited by time and space like me

thankful He knows all things; He never surprised or caught off guard

thankful His love is everlasting

Thankful Thursday

I've been reading in Ecclesiastes recently

came across these verses in chapter 3 the other day:

"I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one's lifetime; moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor--it is the gift of God."

I am thankful God has gifted me with an ability to find enjoyment in my work

thankful He has allowed me to have a job that brings me pleasure

I know too many people who are just trying to make it through another week--living for the weekend

each day is an opportunity to see God's hand of provision and direction

I'm so thankful He reveals Himself

I'm thankful He is a God of joy and desires to impart His joy to me

my daughter and grandson arrived from Missouri today!

I'm so thankful I get to spend time with them for the next week

Thankful God has blessed me with children and a grandchild

It's so much fun watching Hudson explore his surroundings

but I must confess, it also makes me tired!  He has more energy than I do

I am thankful for health and strength

Thankful God is my strength and my song

most mornings one of the things I pray for is that God would put a song in my heart

I'm thankful He answers that prayer

having a focus of praise as I'm going through my day makes a lot of difference

and when I'm already focused on Him, asking Him for direction and wisdom when facing difficult circumstances is a natural outflow

I'm thankful for God's invitation to seek Him and talk with Him

thankful He tells us to ask for the things we desire

and thankful He describes Himself as a generous giver

I'm thankful for God's greatest gift; the gift of His Son and the relationship we can enjoy with Him because of Christ's willingness to go to the cross

I'm thankful for God's grace and mercy