Time to Catch Up: Give Thanks Days 11, 12 &13

Getting behind on posting Give Thanks was something I was afraid of happening. Even though I am behind on posting, our Thankful Time each night is still continuing. Our tree is so full of leaves, that we may have to more branches!! Something else to be thankful for, huh? Each night is a blessing in itself.  I will try to post another picture of the Thankful Tree.

Day 11

I gave thanks for God's Healing. Thank you for praying for my Dad. His surgery went great, and he got to come home the next day! That was absolutely GOD!! He is doing great, has to take it easy for 6-8 weeks. I have to praise Him for being the HEALER. About 6 weeks or so ago, my dad was taken to the ER and when I saw him, it scared me,  he looked really bad. His blood levels were so low, that he ended up getting 6 pints of blood, several days in CCU, and lots of tests later, He finally came home. He was very sick, and it was GOD that took care of him then, too. I know that God is still in the healing business! Aren't you glad??

  

Day 12

I GAVE THANKS that God never gave up on me. At one time I was so far away from God, he was probably the last thing on my mind. But, no matter what I did, He still loved me. I got so far down in a pit that the only place I could look was UP to HIM. And guess what, HE was right there with OPEN ARMS just waiting on me to finally come to HIM. He was there even when I didn't care, didn't want Him there, and even when I realized how much I needed Him. He was there ready to give me a second, third, fourth & on & on! He never gave up on ME!!!!

Day 13

Today I GIVE THANKS for God's Grace.

Grace--getting what you don't deserve / unmerited favor

OH YES!! His GRACE is something I definitely don't deserve, but He pours it out on me daily!!

Yesterday, was a special day, Women of Grace Women's Ministry had a Thankful Breakfast. It was such a blessing to me. There were almost 70 women there and all of it was very special. I am so thankful that I have been given the opportunity to help plan events. (Thank you Deidre!) The morning was very special, great food, some fun, sharing blessings, prayer time, testimony by a precious lady that I love dearly, and a time of devotion.

The morning was a time of His Amazing Grace.

I was attempting to get a few things done when I got home. It was just me & Kea and he was playing, and occupying himself. He has a toy camera that records short videos on it. (I wanted to post it, but the little techy deleted it when he cleared his camera when it got full) He was videoing himself and one moment he was a superhero and the next I heard him say....

"Welcome to Church!" (he had my attention~but I couldn't let him know it)

"Today I am going to talk about Grace" (what 7 year old boy talks about grace??)

"God's Grace is powerful" ( amen, brother!)

"With the Grace of Him, He will always bless you." (and the video stops!! wonder what else he would have said??)

I wrote that down so I would not forget it. I knew that those words were given to me from God. I just  stopped right there and thanked God for HIS POWERFUL GRACE. And the blessings of that precious boy and using the words of a 7 year old to get my attention! His Grace Is Amazing!!

Father thank you for your healing touch on Daddy. Please continue to touch him during his recovery. Thank you for never giving up on me. Even at my worst, you loved me and you were right there waiting on me. Your Grace is powerful!! Thank you for using Kea to remind me of your Amazing Grace. You are the Healer, the God of chances, and your Grace is extended regardless of where we have been or what we have done!! Thank you, Father, thank you!!

Give Thanks Day 10 (a day late)

Today, I want to give thanks for a Godly Grandmother that prayed for me an Aunt that still prays for me. My grandmother would take me to church whenever possible and she talked about God to me a lot growing up. My grandfather passed away when I was 10 and we lived with her for a while after that... I can remember I would complain or ask whys of life, she would say, "everything happens for a reason, we may not know why, but we need to know that there is a reason for it". She would always tell me not to wish my life away, (you know when your 7 you want to be 10, or when you are 14 you can't wait to be 16, & on & on......) there will be a day when years will fly by like days ( I would just roll my teenage eyes, and think, she just doesn't understand). W.O.W. How true is that? Well, at my age and seeing how quickly my children have grown, once again she was OH SO RIGHT!! Maybe you are much younger than I am and you may have young children and you feel your days are creeping by, hold on your time is coming. There will be a day, you will think, where do the years go?? I sure do miss her, she has been in heaven, longer than I actually knew her. She was a precious person in my life and I have to say she spoiled me just a little, a lot :).

I know my Aunt was faithful in praying for me. Still to this day, I know she is praying for me. I finally told her several years ago (her 50th Anniversary) that as I grew up I wanted to have what her children had. Their family was intact, they "got" to go to church, they had family dinners on Sunday, and to this day they still do!! She is a role model and has had a huge influence in my life. Her children and her grandchildren that live in the area can be found around the dinner table every Sunday, cool, huh?? Their family is not perfect, they have lots going on in their lives too, but its a far cry from most families today.  They chose to be together. Most worship at the same church, and they do lots of things together. I know that she prays for my family, and she shows up to see my children in plays and supports the big events in our lives. I know I can call her anytime I need someone to talk to, or cry to. She knows all too well the dynamics of my brothers and when those times get tough, she is there to listen and she understands exactly how I feel, and points out where I need to just let some things go and let God handle them. 

Thank you Father for Granny & Aunt Jean, I know that they prayed many prayers for me and that I owe them a lot, you answered many of their prayers. Their prayers helped me to be drawn to something more, something better, than I could have ever asked for or wanted in my life. Because of their prayers You guided me to you. I know that many people prayed for me as I was growing up, but these women also showed me what living a life for You was all about! Thank You for them and the many others that did. May I too be someone that prays for and points others to You!!

Is there someone in your life that you knew was praying for you??

(I know I am a day behind. Sorry, my dad had surgery yesterday, and I couldn't get my thoughts together sitting in a waiting room.....lol!! Praise the Lord, he came through surgery fine and may possibly come home today!! Something else to give thanks for!!!)

Give Thanks Day 9

 

Today I want to give thanks for my job. It may not be the best job in the world, or exactly where I would like to be, but it is the job that God has given me. I know He has placed me there for now and I need to work as unto the Lord, taking every opportunity He gives me to point others to Him.

I want to look at things differently instead of griping and complaining as the Israelites did. Being watchful for things of God in the past several weeks along with this month intentionally looking at things throughout my day to be thankful for it is easier to see the good instead of the bad. I want to make a differnence for my family, my co-workers and my friends. I want to be the encourager, the influencer and not the one that drags them down or causes discouragement in their lives.

I know that is what I need in my life..... positive uplifting friends that will help me through this journey of life. Seasons come and seasons go as will happen in our lives. Being surrounded by others that love the Lord, and live differently than the world will help me through any season that I will face.    

For those of you that are my friends that may read this, please forgive me for the times I have been negative and for anything that I may have said to bring you down. We need each other to help keep our eyes focused on the prize. Help me when I can't seem to find my way. I am here for you if you need me for anything!

Heavenly Father, thank you for my job. There was a time that I didn't have a job and you provided this one, I thank you for that. It has provided for our family's needs and I pray you would help me continue to focus on the good. Thank you for loving me. Father, have your hand on my Daddy and the surgeon's tomorrow.

Is there negativity that has you down or discouraged? What is something intentional that you can do to turn it into the positive?

Hang in there, Friday is almost here!!!

Piper :)