Thankful Thursday

I was messaging with my aunt this morning

mentioned that I was thankful God woke me up this morning and gave me life and breath

she replied, "yes...amen....It's Thursday"

I guess she knows that Thursdays are the day to be thankful

actually everyday is a day to be thankful

Scripture admonishes me to give thanks in everything at all times

but I know from personal experience how easy it is to live on the other side

I'm thankful God has turned me from a complainer into a person of gratitude

I'm thankful His Spirit has produced the fruit of joy in my life

I'm thankful I've been washed clean by the blood of the LAMB

and thankful God has clothed me in robes of righteousness

knowing I'm a chosen son of the Living God gives me motivation to get out of bed each morning

I'm thankful He has adopted me into His family

thankful God pulled me out of darkness into His marvelous light

I'm thankful for God's word that tells me I am a recipient of eternal life

I'm thankful for the hope which comes with that assurance

I'm especially thankful for this as I experienced the passing of my uncle on Sunday

I don't sorrow as those who have no hope

I know he is rejoicing in the presence of his Savior right now

I'm thankful I will have the opportunity to express this hope through music at his funeral this weekend

everyday is a gift

as I age, I become more and more aware of that

I'm thankful God knows the number of my days

thankful He knows every minutest detail about me; even the number of hairs on my head!

that's a number that is constantly changing

I'm thankful for a job I enjoy

I was sharing with a friend this afternoon how grateful I am the God has provided a job I enjoy and can do   even with some of the limitations I experience as I age

I'm thankful God is my strength and my song

I know that without Him I can do nothing

but I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength

Scripture says that those who trust in the Lord lie down in peace and sleep

that's what I'm going to do as soon as I finish this up

I'm thankful for that peaceful sleep God provides

Thankful Thursday

I've been spending time reading and meditating on Psalm 145 recently

one of the phrases that has stuck out to me is verse 4:

"One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts." 

it is so crucial for me to choose my words carefully

Jesus said in Matthew 12,

"But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an account for it in the day of judgment."

God has done so many wonderful things, and He wants me as one of His followers to be telling others about them

it's so easy to get sucked into talking about the negative things going on around me

but God calls me to rise above that

He wants me to fix my eyes on Him and recognize all that He is doing 

and then He wants me to talk about it!

I'm so thankful God is the creator

the earth is an amazing place

and the universe is beyond description

there is so much beauty surrounding me

and God made it all

He is a master designer

He placed the earth just the right distance from the sun to benefit from it's power without being overwhelmed by it

He is an extraordinary artist 

I'm thankful for the beautiful sunsets I get to enjoy from my dining room window

when it's warm outside, I enjoy them from my back yard

I'm thankful for a roof over my head, especially on days like today when it rained all day long

thankful for God's provision of my home with electricity, running water, and heat

I'm thankful God is the giver and sustainer of life

I'm thankful for His gift of eternal life

I'm thankful for the grace and forgiveness I have experienced

I'm thankful for music, for that avenue I have for expressing praise to God

I'm thankful for family

I had a surprise phone call from my grandson today

(He's 16 months old!)

somehow he got hold of his mom's phone and called me

it was so cool to hear him jabbering on the other end of the line when I answered

couldn't understand a thing he was saying, but it was still a special moment

I'm thankful for health

throughout my life, I have enjoyed good health

if I get sick, it is generally just a 24 hour thing and then it's gone

I'm thankful for the way God has designed our bodies to heal

I'm thankful I am fearfully and wonderfully made by God

I'm thankful for God's patience with me

thankful He holds me in His hand and lifts me up when I stumble

I'm thankful He is a God who delights in reconciling people to Himself

I'm thankful that because of my belief in Jesus, I have the right to be called a child of God

Glory!