Thankful Thursday

I drove almost a thousand miles today

up until Tuesday evening, the plan was to drive quite a bit less than that

But Scripture tells me that I can make plans, but God can change those plans

and ultimately, He is the One who directs my path

I'm thankful I serve a God who is big enough to handle the twists and turns my life takes

thankful that in the midst of all of this He remains faithful

thankful God is a shield about me

at one point this afternoon, while my wife was giving me a brief break in the driving, I awoke from sleep thinking we were about to crash

it is such a rude awakening; heart pounding, adrenaline spiking, fear attacking my mind

not unlike many moments in life

I'm thankful it was only a dream

thankful that after a few moments my spirit calmed

thankful for the calming influence of God's Spirit

we spent the last 8 days with our daughter and her family out in Missouri

it was such a blessing to bond with our grandson

thankful for time to invest in each of their lives

thankful for conversations with my son-in-law

thankful for the chance to work on a couple projects together

thankful to be able to use my carpentry skills to make a few repairs

I am glad to be back home, but also sad that I had to change my plans to visit my other daughter and her husband, down in Louisiana, due to this pandemic

I'm thankful I can trust God that He has a purpose in allowing for this change of plans

I'm thankful He is never surprised, never has to say, "Oops, how did that happen?"

I've been watching some challenging videos recently on my role as a man and a husband

I'm thankful for the instruction God gives me in His word

thankful He has provided a guide book for life

thankful I don't have to guess at what He desires for me

thankful for godly men who help me interpret God's instructions 

I'm thankful for friends who hold me accountable to living out those instructions

for friends who pray for me and speak words of blessing into my life

I'm thankful for a wife who encourages me to be all that God has intended me to be

I'm thankful for God's forgiveness and grace which He demonstrates so frequently when I find myself getting sideways to His desires for me

I'm thankful for a God who is merciful

thankful that "mercy triumphs over judgment."

oh how desperately I need God's mercy and grace

I'm thankful He has an endless supply for me and for all peoples

I'm thankful I get to climb into my own bed tonight

getting ready to head there soon!