Give Thanks - Days 20, 19 & 18

(This is my attempt to catch up my Give Thanks posts.......)

Day 20

Yesterday, I GAVE THANKS for those wilderness times. You know the times and trials that you seem to be wandering around just as the Israelites did? Oh, yes those times are hard, tough, devastating, discouraging, etc. I know you are probably thinking, why would you be thankful for those times. God's word says:

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

 To some of you it may seem very odd that I would be thankful for those times, but as I think back to when I turned my life completely over to the Lord was when I was so far down in a pit that I couldn't look anywhere but up to Him. I had tried so many times to just do it my way. My way was a disaster. My way was really ugly. My way, wasn't too good. My way turned out to be a huge long way around.....just like the Israelites. I wandered far too long  until I realized that the only thing I needed in my life was God, nothing ever worked for me. He became so near and dear to me during that time, that I didn't ever want to be far from Him again. I was too scared. He had let me go way off His intended path for me and I knew I never wanted to go down that road again. He brougnt me to a relationship that I never knew existed. I drew closer to Him. I may have never gotten to that place had I not spent that time in the wilderness. Oh, yes, I still have trials, and I find myself wandering around, but God is working on and in me during those times and yes, I am thankful that He loves me so much, that He just won't leave me where I am.

Day 19

On this day I GAVE THANKS for my church, my pastors and my church family.We have called WGBC home for almost 15 years. We can feel God's presence when we walk through the doors.  I am thankful for men that preach God's truth every time they stand behind that pulpit. These men of God pray for our church family and are there whenever you need them. They give us what God wants us to hear, even if it isn't popular. Even if it steps on our toes. For me, its usually a crushed foot. I love them and their families so very much! Our church family is full of prayer warriors and those that are there for you whenever you call on them. We have many friends that we have been blessed with since we have been there. They pray with you, cry with you and laugh with you. Our children have grown up with many Christian friends and other Christian influences and mentors. I can only pray that those of you that may read this that don't worship with us, have a church and church family that is touched by God's hand.

Day 18

On day 18 I GAVE THANKS for my home..... now understand I am very thankful we have a house and I don't take that lightly. But, God didn't just give us a building with four walls to live in. He gave our family a home, one where there is family, laughter, love, tears, hugs, each other, troubles, arguments, picking, and aggravating. Oh, there is so much more than the piles of laundry, the dirty dishes, the meals to prepare, the beds to make, toys to put away, the clutter that makes this house a home, or even the floors that constantly need to be swept. There is God's provision, a picture of His mercy, His grace, His love and His redemption. At the end of the day, when I finally crawl into bed, I thank God for the house He made a home!!

Give Thanks 17 (very late)

I know I am not keeping up with this very well, hopefully I can catch up today.....maybe, not promising anything....fyi, we are still keeping up our Thankful Time every night before bed, my favorite time of the day!!

On the 17th I GAVE THANKS for a special blessing in our family!! You may have seen this little guy where I was thankful for his mommy & daddy earlier in the month. My parents have all said time & time again how special grandchildren really are..... and they are R.I.G.H.T.!!

I am "Lolli"!! Welcoming Baby C!!

And this is "Pop" He's not a bit proud is he???

We are Lolli & Pop!! So when he gets bigger he can say, "I wanna go to Lolli-Pop's house!!! This precious bundle is now 19 months old and is a joy to our family!

Wouldn't just love to squeeze him??

Aww!! Love this!!

Sweet boy!!!

"Cheese"!

Thank you Father for blessing our family with this precious gift!! Lord, please help us to show him Your love as he grows up. May we point him to the ONE that matters most in life, Jesus Christ!! Protect him and his parents as he grows up. May they keep you first in their lives!!

Give Thanks Day 16

So, maybe I will stay a day behind, it looks that way.

Anyway, yesterday I GAVE THANKS for Opportunies to Serve HIM.

 

GOD is showing me and confirming a lot of things in my life. I work full time, but my role as wife and mother are the most important things in my life. We just finished up One In A Millon Bible Study Tuesday night and one day's discussion was on the topic of what does God have us doing right now that doesn't seem worthwhile for Him? Well, laundry is on the top of that list!!! Several things are on that list.

 

 

BUT, God has shown me through this Bible study that all tasks are necessary that He leads us to. Some may think less of themselves when others are called to do what we think is greater or cooler than what we have been called to do. BUT GOD has shown me how very important my ministry as a wife & a mother are. Yes, those are ministries and if I neglect being my husband's helpmate and serving him and I neglect my responsibilities in raising my children and serving them, then I am not being obedient to the Lord.  Those are the most important things God has placed before me. Everything else must come after those.... Children's ministry, my job, co-workers, Women's ministry, etc.... are all good things and if we consider accepting the things God has placed in our hands right now and doing those as unto HIM. With that list of things, why would I ask God, what is your will for me? What would you have me do? Hmm, I know what it is and I need to remember what He has entrusted me with and be obedient!! 

 

Can you just imagine Him saying, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: "thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." Matthew 25:21 Now, I am to jump in there and do that laundry, and as I am folding it I will pray for whoever's underwear I have in my hand!!!

 

Father thank you for the opportunities you have give me to serve you. Please forgive me for not accepting my role as wife and mother as a ministry. Please forgive me for not thinking that I am doing big things for you. You call Christians to do hard things, and some things don't seem very hard, or exciting or pleasant. Please forgive my disobedience and my searching for what's next. You have blessed me with so many opportunities to interact with my family, my friends, children, women and people I don't even know. Thank you for reminding me that you have me right where you want me..... I just need to focus on You and you will help me do the rest!