Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Something to be Thankful For

Over the past year, I have really began to reassess the way I view the  blessings God has given me.  I used to be a real complainer about all the things I didn't have, and I still do complain at times and often, or I am at least tempted to complain.   Lately though, the Lord has really began to change my heart from a complaining heart to a grateful heart-I'm not sure if it's the decision to live more "sacrificially" although I wouldn't say I have sacrificed much, or if it's the fact I have developed a better understanding of the Lord's calling on my life as a follower of Christ which in turn will cause a person to live sacrificially, or if it's that my constant prayer has been for the Lord to break my heart for what breaks His. Either way, with the day devoted to giving thanks coming up soon I feel it necessary to write about a few of the infinite number of things I have to be thankful for. 

I really can't write enough words to describe all the blessings God has poured on me, and to name all the things I am thankful for this year is a daunting task.  But I will try.

I am thankful...

for the husband my Father gave me thirteen months ago.  It is a great blessing to have a man like Seth Richardson to walk beside me for my time here on earth (until the Lord decides to take one of us home).

for a family- the family I was born into and married into as well.   I could not ask for better parents- parents that have loved me since before I was born and sacrificed so much for me.  And my parents-in-love have shown so much grace and love to me as I married their son, praying for me for years before they even knew my name.  And the many precious Aunts and Uncles and Cousins who I love so dearly even through distance.

for my church family- the amazing body of Christ the Lord has given me to serve alongside with and learn and see more of Christ's love through.

for my precious friendships, new and old.   The Lord has given me so many amazing friendship. Some friendships were only for a season and are kept up with through social media. Some friendships are deep to the core yet physical distance keeps us from talking every day yet I am encouraged and challenged by them daily, and when I do get the opportunity to spend time with those friends, it's always as if we never missed a beat.   And then my new friendships with ladies who spiritually challenge me now, the ones who I am currently serving with and learning to love in this new season of life.   

for my job.  The job I work so that I may give back to the City of Gadsden and mostly to my Father. The job that allows me to provide for my family's needs.  The job that allows me to develop relationships with my coworkers.

for my health.  The health that gives me energy to wake up every day. The health that allows me to walk and run, see and hear, serve and work, and one day bear a child.

for changing seasons.  The symbolism that comes with the changing seasons.  It's refreshing.

for my education.

for the food God supplies to me daily.

for my home.

for..

clean water  and a place to lay my head every night, sunsets and sunrises, the ability to be able to choose my own style and show my personality, coffee and art, sunshine and rain,  music and dancing, runner's high, mountains and beaches, peanut butter, and the list goes on..

But mostly I'm thankful for the Trinity- Father, Son and Holy Spirit that lives with in me.  I'm thankful for a Savior who gives rest to the weary, who holds my life in his hands, and has given me salvation that I don't deserve.

I'm thankful for my Savior who is never a never changing constant. And when all the other things I am thankful for are stripped away and they will be because we living in a dying, sin filled world, my hope is in Someone who created me for His glory, someone who is never changing and is infinite in majesty and love.   And that is something to be forever grateful for!


 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
For the Lord is a great God,
and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth;
the heights of the mountains are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land. 
(Psalm 95:1-5, ESV)