Not Just Another Thankful Post

I was raised to be thankful. To be grateful for everything we had. My Mom instilled in us hearts to see the beauty in all things and it helped us to not take things for granted. It was such a sweet way to grow up. She put in the time and energy to remind us constantly to thank God for our food, eachother, the blessings around us. And we did. Fast forward 30 or so years... to this morning. I was feeling so overwhelmed by my roles of wife, mother, friend, sister in Christ. I had a feeling of doom and gloom and as if I had this heavy load on my shoulders. What I find is happening is the more I read God's Word, the more I am convicted and aware of just how truly sinful I am. I am becoming more and more aware of just how much I truly need a Savior and how much I thought I would be able to save myself. What a burden that is! I praise God that He lifted that burden from me and I know that there is no amount of 'good things' I could do to earn my salvation. That it is His grace through what Jesus did on the cross that saves me. But, still I allow myself to be sidetracked into believing that I am going to be crushed under the weight of my circumstances. Oh, how foolish! Especially when God's Word is so clear about this issue. Which is why I returned to that place my Mom would point us to. If I had a heart of thankfulness... it would point me back to God and His loving mercy and grace towards me.

I started to take time to transform my thoughts. I needed to do this over and over all day today. I am sure I will be doing it for the rest of my life, but today was definitely a doozy. I decided to go and read a book outside. Wow. Endless reasons to be thankful! God was blowing my mind with beauty and reasons to stop grumbling and being sad, and I was overcome with joy. I was thankful for the book I was reading. Thankful for Zack as he sat quietly next to me reading his dinosaur book. Thankful for his long eyelashes and pretty blue/golden eyes. I was thankful for the oak tree providing shade and the sun providing warmth. I was thankful for the little princess that brought me out a tray of plastic donuts and imaginary tea to enjoy with my quiet time. I was thankful for the comfy chair in the backyard. The light breeze. I was especially thankful for His love towards me. He took the time to give me answers and comfort me and encourage me. And all I had to do was look no further than my Bible.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Isn't that beautifully encouraging?! And that God makes His command so clear to us. He uses words that don't allow room for question:

Rejoice ALWAYS.

Pray WITHOUT ceasing.

Give thanks in ALL circumstances.

For THIS IS the will of GOD in CHRIST JESUS FOR YOU.

I recognize that I don't rejoice always, or pray without ceasing, or give thanks in all circumstances... however, God is a God of mercy and He loves me and forgives me and gives me opportunity after opportunity to make things right again. I am blessed beyond measure, no matter how bleak my circumstances may look. I know that God means all the trials we are facing for His glory and for His good. I may be pressed on every side, but I am not crushed. I may be perplexed, but not driven to despair. struck down, but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9) The following verse means so much to me:

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13

I so often thought it meant that God knew my breaking point, and would be watching me and have his hand on a buzzer that he could press right when I am about to break, thinking something like this... "OK, she can't handle that, so I'll stop the trial right... watch for it, watch for it... here!" In that kind of thinking, I was tending to look inward at my strength, instead of depending on His strength. Looking at the verse and knowing that if I fully surrender to Him, depend on Him, trust Him, look to Him, call on Him, He will take care of me and provide for me and meet my needs. One of those needs being to comfort me when I am feeling overwhelmed with life and its many trials and to point me to be THANKFUL in ALL circumstances. He commands me to be thankful.

Father, I long to please you and bring you glory, but so often I fail and look to myself to handle it all.
I am so grateful that you provide forgiveness and mercy and that you allow me to start over.
I praise you for giving me clarity today.
I praise you for giving me praying friends.
I praise you for giving me so many things to be thankful for. Yes, even those things. I am thankful!
Because they have drawn me closer to YOU, Abba Father.
I love you.
And I am certain, without a single doubt, that you love me.
Help me to display that certainty in how I handle things, Lord.
Help me to seek you FIRST, and trust that you are working all things together for good... because, no matter what happens here on this earth... I will be with YOU for all eternity.
In YOU I have it ALL, and for that I am the most thankful.
In Jesus', precious name, Amen.

Ode To My Timmy

My Timmy turns 37 next week! I think it's pretty awesome that God has allowed me to know him for almost 16 of them and be loved fiercely by him for 15 of those precious years! It is MY honor to be his wife and I truly do count it all joy to call him my husband.

Timmy, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

1. You are hot. Truly. I have never stopped thinking that about you. Song of Soloman 5:10

2. You are the most intelligent person I have ever met. Proverbs 18:15

3. You are also the most humble, Philippians 2:3

4. courageous, Deuteronomy 31:6

5. kind, Luke 6:35

6. thoughtful, Romans 12:10

7. selfless, John 15:12-14

8. and loving. 1 Peter 4:8

9. You love me in a way that mirrors how Christ loves the church. Your example is constant to me, Timmy. Ephesians 5:25

10. You are such a hardworker. Diligent to provide for us and give my children the opportunity to have mommy at home. Thank you so much, Sweetheart. Colossians 3:23

11. You are incredibly compassionate. It is one of the things that has truly knocked me off my feet about you. Colossians 3:12-13

12. You are so forgiving. What a godly example of Jesus you are to me daily. To us all! Galatians 6:1

13. You have provided a safe place for our children here at home. One that teaches them that God is first, and that we are sinners, in need of Jesus. Deuteronomy 5:6-7

14. You are an amazing cook! No one cooks mexican the way you do, Papi Chulo! RickBayless.com

15. You never complain. Never. Never. Never. I just can't get over that. And you have been through so much. Thank you for shining Jesus to me. Philippians 2:14

16. You are also a sweet example of joy in all circumstances to me. James 1:2-3

17. You are funny! Proverbs 15:13

18. You would lay your life down for us. John 15:13

19. You honor your parents. I am so touched by the way you love them. Exodus 20:12

20. You are my best friend. Proverbs 17:17

21. You mourn with me, Romans 12:15

22. Comfort me. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

23. You encourage me to do the right thing. 1 John 1:9

24. You point me back to Jesus. Proverbs 27:6

25. Your kisses are a treasure to me! Song of Solomon 1:2

26. You take care of me with such a heart of service. I can tell how much you love me when you serve me. Philippians 2:5-7

27. I love you.

28. I am so very thankful for you.

29. I am humbled by your heart to love me, as unloveable as I can be.

30. You remind me daily that I am on your mind with your thoughtful texts and calls. I don't deserve such a gift!

31. And a gift is exactly what you are to me and our precious arrows.

32. I pray that God would grant you many more years with us.

33. Ones that draw you closer to Him.

34. I pray that you would continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

35. I also pray that He would grant you the desires of your heart.

36. Maybe another baby girl.

37. But, especially a wife that respects, loves, and honors you as the Lord has called her to do.

Happy Birthday, my Timmy.
You are one in a kazillion and I love you more than pickles.