Thankful Thursday

I pause to reflect on what I am thankful for this evening, 2 days before Christmas

Immanuel: God with us

what an amazing gift!

I thank God that He sent His Son

born a child, and yet a King

I am thankful God is near

thankful He didn't just create the earth and then take a giant step back to let us flounder on our own

I'm thankful God reveals Himself to those who seek Him

on the night of Jesus birth, the shepherds received a message about this new born Savior

they could have just stayed on the hillside watching their sheep

but instead they went in search of the One who had come to bring peace

and they found Him

The magi from the east saw a star with special significance

they didn't have to travel many miles to bring homage to the One who was born king of the Jews

but the did

they came seeking Him and found Him

and I'm thankful God is still revealing Himself 

am I seeking Him?

I'm thankful God responds when I call out to Him

I know He hears me when I pray

I've seen the evidence of His answers to those prayers

I'm thankful God has blessed me with children and grandchildren

thankful for stimulating conversations with my kids

thankful for the way they challenge and encourage me

I'm thankful for God's protection

I was just quoting from Ps. 121 to my grandson this morning

"The Lord is your keeper; the sun will not smite you by day, nor the moon by night.  The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul."

I had one of those protection moments this week

I was ripping a board on the table saw and suddenly felt something on my thumb

I pulled back, and looked at it

I was wearing a glove, and it had a cut in it, but when I pulled the glove off, the skin wasn't even broken

It could have been a very bad situation

but God...

I'm thankful God's timing is perfect

at just the right time, He sent His Son

even when I was trapped in my sin, Jesus died and rose again so I could experience newness of life

so thankful Jesus humbled Himself and became a servant and a sacrifice

I'm thankful for the exemplary life He lived

I'm thankful for God's grace and mercy demonstrated on the cross

and I'm thankful I am a recipient of His love