Beginning With Thanks
05 May 2011 8 Comments
in blog meme, Christian, God, gratitude, Jesus, Thankful Thursday, Thanks Tags: blessings, blog meme, Christian, God, Jesus, Thankful Thursday, TT
“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good;
for his mercy endureth forever.”
–1 Chronicles 16:34
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Well, I figure, what better way to begin something, than with prayer and thanksgiving? So, I’m writing the first post of my newest blog on “Thankful Thursday!” As it turns out, I’m also beginning this blog on May 5th, 2011, the National Day of Prayer.
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*Note: I remember “Thankful Thursdays” being such a valuable part of my weekly writing. For years, I used to blog regularly, but it’s been a while. So, this post may be brief, but it’s a start nonetheless…
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I am so very thankful to my Heavenly Father for ALL His many blessings on me. The following are just a few that come to mind today:
–Opportunity: I am thankful for this opportunity to: express my gratitude; to recall all the good things & all the things that God has made good. I appreciate this chance to share with others and to read what others have to share.
–The Master Potter: I thank my Lord for not “throwing the clay away.” I thank Him for seeing me for the broken vessel that I am; yet being willing to save me and use me anyway. His patience, long-suffering, forgiveness, and love continue to astound me daily. So many times throughout the years I’ve wanted to…I’ve started to…give up on myself. However, each time, He has lovingly held me up & kept me. He has continued to whisper my name; sending little signs along the way, of His presence and His care. From the very beginning, my Lord has seen past the broken clay. He has persisted in molding me in His time, in His way…little by little, & day by day.
–My Husband: I am so grateful to God for my husband Scott, and for our faith, our love, our commitment, our family, and our life together. Scott and I said our vows, years ago; knowing that God had chosen us for each other. However, I don’t think either of us could have ever imagined just what that would mean. More and more, we see how God uses each of us to complement the other. It’s incredible just how many times & ways, throughout the years, that we have received confirmation of God’s divine provision. He, of course, already knew the many struggles, misunderstandings, differences, and difficulties that we would encounter. However, once again, He saw beyond all that. He knew that in His Hands, our marriage would still continue to thrive and grow. I’m thankful for a husband who lives by faith and “walks the walk.” I’m thankful for Scott’s spiritual leadership of our home and for the true example he gives to our children.
–Motherhood: I’m thankful for the privilege of being a mother. God has blessed me with two beautiful, wonderful children: my daughter Sarah, and my son Kerry. I feel so unworthy, but God is so gracious. So often, as a mother, it’s seemed like I didn’t have a clue as to what to do. However, just like with everything else, God has been right by my side, holding my hand and guiding me step by step.
I am also thankful for my own mother; even more so since becoming one myself, of course. It has certainly become more clear to me how much she sacrificed and how hard she worked. Now, I am more aware of all the things she did for me; so many things that I took for granted, back then….
–Prayer: What a blessing it is to take my burdens to the Lord!! Where else could I go? I can hardly imagine life without that communication with my Creator, and I don’t want to!!!! What a privilege it is to be able to come before the Almighty God; knowing that Jesus is interceding on my behalf and that the Holy Spirit is helping me, as I pray. I give thanks for the opportunity to pray for others and for the blessing of others praying for me. I thank the Lord for prayers answered and for prayers “unanswered,” (That is, prayers not answered, in the way I had planned, anyway). I also thank the Lord for this National Day of Prayer…for Christians everywhere lifting up various needs; praying for others, far and near.
–God’s Constant Promise: My Lord has promised to “never leave me, nor forsake me.” God has fulfilled this promise, and I know that as long as I seek Him, He will continue to do so. I thank Him for saving me, forgiving me, molding me, and restoring me. I owe Him my life, my gratitude, and my everything. He is my Savior and Lord…my strong tower, my provider, my deliverer, my rock, my refuge, my hiding place… He has walked beside me through this life, for many years. He promises to stay with me and guide me throughout the rest of this journey. I’m thankful that my God remains the same…He is faithful, loving, and true. He is The keeper of His promises, and He is the keeper of my soul.
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Well, this actually turned out to be longer than I had expected. Of course, this post still only mentions a very few things, for which I have to be thankful. There are certainly so many more blessings…way too many to ever count.
Happy “Thankful Thursday” to you all!! 
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Blessings always,
Janet
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*For more Thankful Thursday posts, visit: Laurie at Women Taking a Stand
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