November 21, 2012

Good morning all-

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good!  The winds are blowing in Kansas, the stars are out and I need to begin to defrost a 20 pound turkey but before I do any of that I want to give thanks to my readers.  I started this journey the beginning of the year not knowing who would read my blog.  I wasn't even sure I had enough talent to do it or enough words.  Although most people would tell you I can talk, but my point is I wasn't sure I could be faithful to write and to be bold for our Lord.  I have grown up with fear in my heart and a lack of confidence in my ability and yet, the Lord wanted me to sit down and write about His faithfulness to me, so I do.

I have missed a couple of days trying to prepare for my company.  My nephew is here from Salt Lake City, Utah and I feel like my parents are smiling from heaven.  We haven't seen him in awhile and I miss him horribly but for a few days he's with us and I am truly blessed.  I have a lot to be thankful for in my life.  I didn't realize it as a teenager but I had great parents and wonderful brothers.  I was raised in a family that understood what FAMILY meant and I now share their passion with my family.

So along with all the gladness I feel and all the thanksgiving in my heart I also feel sadness today.  This year, my brothers and I will celebrate our first thanksgiving without parents.  My youngest brother will be with his wife's family and the rest of us will be here.  The rotating thanksgivings are nothing new but being parentless is.  I'm not going to fill my bowl with sorrow today; I'm going to fill it with praise for my King.  Why?  Because with ever whisper and for every petition, my Lord has been there listening to me and guiding me.  I don't have an earthly father or mother but I have a God that breathes life into me.  There are far worse things that can happen to someone than being parentless.  If you feel lonely today, reach out to someone.  Giving of your life can help you get through any loneliness you might feel.  How do I know?  Because I practice it daily.  People need us to reach out to them.  They won't do it if we don't do it.  Life is a series of ups and downs and all arounds but one thing is consistent, if you love Jesus, He is near.

Today, I celebrate the Lord that saved a retch like me!  I come before Him with gladness in my heart.  My heart bursts for Him and thanks Him for His grace and mercy on my life.  I have so much to be thankful for and so do You.  If He has chosen You, He loves You.  If you don't feel His love look at the people He has placed in Your life.  We are not alone on earth and we are covered by His blood!  It's time we all get on our knees and thank the Lord of light for the blessings He has bestowed on our lives.  You may not be in a beautiful house or have plenty to eat but if you have enough, then you know Jesus has been faithful.

I come before all of you today with thanksgiving in my heart.  I see your hits on my blog and don't know your name but I know that You are seeking Christ and I am thankful for each one of you.  You are precious to me and precious to our Lord and I thank Him for giving me the honor to encourage You and to remind all of us that He is near!  Happy Thanksgiving and as we lead up to Christmas I just want to thank the Lord of light for giving me strength this year.  I have never felt more loved or empowered than I have throughout this year.  I have lost much but have gained more than I can ever imagine.  I feel closer to my King now and with every step I take; I know He is near!  Thank You Jesus for being our Lord and Savior, for dying on the cross and for giving us eternal life.  We may not understand the "why's" of this life but You do, so that's all I need.  Bring women to us that need You and help us all to be faithful to You in the coming season.  May God bless each and everyone of you as you have blessed me this year.

Philippians 4:6 KJV:

     Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Psalm 95:2 KJV:

     Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms.

Psalm 50:14 NKJV:

     Offer unto God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High.

 

My prayer today:

O, Lord, I come before You with thanksgiving in my heart.  I am so grateful to be Your servant and for the love I have written on my heart for the lost.  There will be many people today needing You and so with that, I come before You asking You to be their Lord and light.  Without You there is darkness but with You there is light.  You are all we need!  We come before You, sinners, and yet, You save us.  You comfort us in our loss, You bring us just enough and when we call, You hear.  We are beacons praying that the lost will come to us in Your name and that we will be faithful all our days.  We need You Lord not just today but every day.  Guide us through our journey with thanksgiving in our heart.  Lead us by still waters and take us on a journey of You.  Please remind all of us that You provide our manna.  Although men will take credit, like in the Israel and Palestine cease fire, we know You were the orchestrator of that great feat.  We are not You and we know that in order for peace to be on earth, You must reign!  So come into our homes today, teach our children what it is to be thankful, send them out into this world and use them to make You known.  Give us, as Your chosen women, boldness to teach our families, to support our friends and to lead those that are in the dark to You.  Out of all the things I could be thankful for the only one that counts is that You died on the cross so that I could have eternal life.  Please write that on our hearts today and remind us all that every blessing leads back to YOU!  In Jesus name, AMEN...

Until tomorrow...