Thankful Thursday

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness. Lam. 3:22-23

It's a cold, rainy, dreary day. It's the end of a week that has seemed to stretch on and on. My daily tasks have exceeded my energy level. I have spent most of today feeling achy and icky. So, what's the perfect thing to do right now? Give thanks! If we are to give thanks "in all circumstances" then certainly "blah days" are the perfect time.

Off the top of my head, I am thankful for:

• the healing of the husband of a friend. He had complications following sinus surgery and they were quite serious and unexpected this week. God worked in a miraculous way.

• healing and less severe injuries than were expected in one of my daughter's teammates , who suffered a concussion during a game this week. She was hit by another player who landed on her and she fell on her head and neck, coming down quite hard on the gym floor. It was a very disconcerting thing for all of the team members and parents, as she progressively got worse, the ambulance was called, the sirens approached, and the paramedics came and took her. We all came to grips with how serious some injuries can be. She experienced God's hand of grace that night. I am thanking God in advance for her full recovery.

• time yesterday with a cherished aunt and uncle of mine. My Uncle Jerry and Aunt Lois are such a huge part of who I am. I love them so much. They braved the weather to fly out of South Carolina earlier in the week to be here for a funeral. God granted that we should have a few moments together this week and it was such a precious time.

• a daughter who is a careful driver in all of this rain. She is also so respectful, and texts me when she arrives at her destination and before she leaves to come home. I just got a text that she was heading home from her part time job. I am thankful for a hard-working, mature teenage daughter.

• respectful sons. Just now that sprang to mind, so I called upstairs to my oldest (13 yo) son. Upon hearing his name he answered "Ma'am?" That may just be a southern thing, but I love it. We have our "typical" mother/teenage boy moments, but in the end he remains very respectful of me. I am not taking that for granted! He now has a younger brother who is learning from him how to respect his parents and it is such a blessing.

• the smell of dinner in the crock pot. It isn't simply a reminder of another task I can check off the list... it's the scent of God's provision. Food. Appliances. Electricity. Warmth. Fellowship. With the winter storms to the north and east, the situation in Haiti, and the many circumstances we have seen all over the world, I don't take any of those for granted either.

To share what you are thankful for today, or to read others' "Thankful Thursday" posts, visit Iris at Grace Alone. Have a blessed weekend!

Thankful Thursday

Well, I'll be. I just checked and I haven't written a "Thankful Thursday" post since November 2007. I felt a bit "bloggy" this morning, realized it was Thursday, and it sprang to mind. But really? Over 2 years?

Not that I haven't had a lot going on in the past two years, or haven't been thankful! So much has changed... the whole landscape of our family has changed since that last "Thankful Thursday" post. Just weeks after posting that, we began our adoption process toward adopting a baby girl from Ethiopia. Now, 2+ years later, here "she" sits, an amazing 11 year old boy who's been home almost a year and a half. Amazing!!! So much for which to be thankful.

Here are my random, off-the-top-of-my-head Thursday Thanks today.

I am thankful...

• For new fireplace logs. I know our gas bill will be through the roof (literally... through the chimney) but this new fireplace blesses my soul. I may burn it all summer long. Okay, maybe not.
  

• For Ethiopia. How that country, its people, my son and our extended family there has forever changed me. Forever. Glory to God. My heart is there today and every single day. I can't believe I was just there again in November. I still thank God every day that He sent us again. I didn't even unpack my backpack from that trip until my daughter needed it a few weeks ago for China, because I didn't truly want to be home from there yet. ;) I saw and talked to an amazing Ethiopian woman yesterday. I look for Ethiopians everywhere I go! I will study the language, make the food, think about, read about, and emotionally reside there for the rest of my life. Thank you, Lord, for Ethiopia.

• That the smell of Ethiopian food still lingers in our home this morning. I make it every week. My daughter shared with me that while she was in China recently she missed Ethiopian food! Usually we miss Tex Mex when we travel, now we miss Ethiopian. That is just cool.

• That my husband looked at me yesterday morning at 5:something when we got up and told me I look so beautiful in the mornings. At 42, I really needed to hear that. What a dear man.

• For the sleepy-faced, curly-haired African boy who just crept downstairs and hugged me good morning. For my two precious, amazing teenagers who are sleeping a few minutes extra upstairs. They all make it so fun to be a mom, and I remain so honored to get to be theirs.

• For my little weenie dog who is curled up on the couch. My husband gave that precious dog to me 10 Valentine's Days ago, and he has been one of my favorite creatures on this earth since that day.

• For the chores that await me today, the homeschooling that I get to plan and teach today... all of these tasks that make me feel needed and vital in the lives of each person in my home. What a privilege it is, and I'm thankful that God reminded me of that this morning, on a day when I can so easily begin to run out of steam!

• I'm thankful you spent a few minutes of your busy day reading my blog. Every time I blog, I pray ahead for anyone who might come here and read my ramblings. If you are reading this, you've been prayed for! And I thanked God in advance for how He's going to work in your life.
  

What are you thankful for today? Share in the comments or link your post at Lynn's. Be blessed and be a blessing today!

Thankful Thursday: Matthew 6

"How great is Your goodness,

Which You have stored up for those who fear You,

Which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You..."

Psalm 31:10

Happy Thursday! I hope you are having a good week!

I have loved my time in God's Word this week. Following the method I shared this past summer, I am now in the book of Matthew and spent this week marking chapter 6. As I read this chapter, the first thing I marked were the verses that describe God. (I always look first for what a passage tells me about God before moving on to what it says concerning me.) So, this week I've been reflecting on and being so very thankful for these truths about our unchanging God.

I'm thankful that...

• God is my Father. In this chapter Jesus repeatedly refers to Him as "your Father." I'm so glad He emphasizes that. I need to remember that.
• He is in heaven. (v. 1) He is in His rightful place. He is on His throne.
• He sees what is done in secret (v. 4) There is such freedom in knowing that He knows. He knows.
• He will reward me (v. 4) He will. I need not concern myself with the form that reward will take, but I can know that it is coming.
• He knows what I need before I ask Him. (v. 8) Not just what I want but what I truly need.
• He will forgive me (v. 14). He enables me to forgive others and offers that blessed forgiveness to me. What a thought!
• He is in secret (v. 18). His word says not only that He sees what is done in secret, but that He is in secret. He is there.
• He clothes the grass of the field (v. 30) and how that reminds me that He will clothe me as well.
• He knows that I need all "these things" (v. 32) He knows my true needs and is poised to meet them each day.

I have found such peace, stability and quietness of mind throughout each day when I stop and periodically focus on what is true about God. He never changes, and for that I am most thankful.

To read more Thankful Thursday posts or to link your own, visit Laurel Wreath, our sweet hostess for today. Have a terrific Thursday!

Thursday Thanks

It's time for a Thankful Thursday! I haven't done one in awhile, but this morning as I was praying my heart was swelling with such gratitude that I thought it was time for it to spill over onto my blog...


*I'm thankful for my family. And when I say that I mean my f-a-m-i-l-y. The far-reaching, extended family that goes beyond those who live within our four walls or my immediate family. I was with them last weekend-parents, brother, sister in law, nieces, nephew, grandmother, aunts, uncles, cousins-by-the-dozens... I feel so blessed!

*I'm thankful for my forgiving children. Honestly, I blow it with them just about daily, and they are so quick to forgive. I am definitely not a model of "perfect" mothering, but hopefully a model of repentant mothering! I just love them so.

*I'm thankful for Iris, who not only created Thankful Thursday, but who also gave me this sweet award a few weeks ago and I just remembered about it!!
When I first read the name of this award I thought it said, "Math-letes," as in the math team I remember from high school. I thought, "Wow! Apparently I've really snowed them on my blog into thinking I'm good at math!" (I assure you, I'm not... though in true "I-can-do-all-things-through-Christ" fashion I am teaching Algebra to my daughter!) Actually the award states "Mathetes" is the Greek word for disciple, and the role of the disciple (per the Great Commission) is to make more disciples. I am beyond honored that someone would associate a word meaning "disciple" with me. Since this award has gone the rounds, I would love to point you to the blogroll in the sidebar of my homepage for examples of those whom I consider to be disciples. They inspire me every time I visit them. If your blog is in my blogroll, consider yourself a recipient of this award!

*I'm thankful for my husband, who is praying about some bold new steps for our family. I feel so confident in his godly leadership of our home, he has my complete trust and support. I count it such a HUGE blessing to have a husband who so closely walks with the Lord and listens for His direction. I'd follow him anywhere! (And as an added bonus, he's totally cute!)

*I'm thankful for a change in the weather. The cool, fall weather has finally made it's way to our little corner of Texas and it is so refreshing. "Summer and winter and springtime and harvest.... join with all nature in manifold witness, to Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love..." Even the changing of the seasons is a testimony of God's goodness.

*I'm thankful for the godly, godly women in my life. I cannot tell you how inspired and emboldened I am by their faith. If you're reading this, most likely I'm talking about you. :)

*I'm thankful for the music I'm listening to right now. It's from the Classical Praise series. Y'all. Click on a sample and listen. If you love hymns and praise music and have an ear for classical music too, this will bless you! I found it on iTunes and it's become the soundtrack for my day.

*I'm thankful that God is in control... not me! I was reminded of that this morning as I read the name of the blog that is hosting this week's Thankful Thursday. Thank you, Crystal, for reminding us of this, and for hosting us at your beautiful site! Visit her blog to read more participants or to link your own.

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Thankful Thursday

How? How can it already be Thursday? It was just Monday! I really think the days are out of order this week or something, LOL. But, okay! If it's Thursday, then it's a great day to be thankful, so I'll just jump right in!

*I'm thankful that "the name of the LORD is a strong tower and that the righteous runs into it and is safe." Prov. 18:7

*I'm very thankful that God is teaching me that "the fear of the LORD leads to life so that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil." Pr. 19:23

*I'm thankful I can lean on, fully trust in, place the weight of my confidence on God. And as I lean on Him He faithfully teaches and counsels me. I'm thankful for scriptures like John 13:23, Prov. 16:20, Ps. 143:8, Ps. 56:3, Isaiah 12:2, and Is. 26:3,4 reminding me to lean fully on Him.

*I'm thankful for time in His Word each day where He has been teaching me all of the above. It's my most precious time of the day, whenever I can get it. And He makes it happen by His grace!

*I'm thankful for a very productive week of school with my kids. We've really cranked out the schoolwork this week and have done some fun projects as well. I'm thankful that today there is a nice, beautiful gym that is letting homeschoolers have it for 2 hours for "open gym" time. And I'm thankful that mine are old enough to leave. there. And I'm thankful for the pedicure place nearby. :)

*I'm thankful for two really great phone conversations with godly women this week. I try to limit my phone time and not spend much time "chatting" but God opened up two really great chunks of time for me this week to talk to two friends and really have some edifying conversations. SO refreshing!

*I'm thankful that you stopped by my blog today! I hope you are thankful, too!

Be sure to stop over at Iris' and read more thankful posts or link your own. Have a terrific Thursday!

Thankful Thursday

Is it really Thursday??? How did this happen? Where did the week go?

As I write, I'm sitting in our study, our "school room." The sun is just peaking out over the houses, and outside the french doors of our study I can see school children with their backpacks in tow, making their way to the corner where the school bus stops. Oh, how I pray they've had a good week! Each morning this week I have been working in our school room and three times each morning the bus rumbles by. Back to school! What an exciting time! For us, that will be next week, after Labor Day. (That was my birthday present to myself: T-I-M-E. I needed more time to get our school all together!)

As I'm sitting here planning school, sipping my La Madeleine coffee (SO good!) and listening to the neighbor kids chat on the way to the bus stop, my heart is naturally very thankful. Not just for a beautiful morning and great coffee, but for so much more! And it's Thursday! Time to write it down. Thank you Iris!

Today I'm thankful for....

• God's lovingkindness. That word has been recurring over and over in my quiet times for the past couple of weeks. It seems as though God is trying to impress that on my heart. "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness." Psalm 103:8 Abounding in lovingkindness. Oh, how I don't want to forget that. How I need that!
  


• God-honoring curriculum for my kids. As I've been planning our school, I have been gripped with gratitude for textbooks and materials, such as my daughter's Geography book which says: "Bible verses such as the one above (Prov. 3:19) remind us that God created our world. Every mountain and valley is exactly where He wanted it to be. This planet did not "just happen." As we behold the earth's amazing design and provisions for life, our hearts should praise the Creator." Wow! I just do not think we can hear or read statements like that enough, even as adults. That awareness should permeate every aspect of our lives, but especially our kids' as they are learning. There is no neutral ground in any area, school subjects included.
  
  
• My sweet sister-in-law Mary, and what God is doing in her life. Many of you stopped by to offer her prayer support back in December. She has gone through an unspeakable time of grief in the months following the death of her boyfriend, and she has allowed it to lead her straight into the arms of her Heavenly Father who loves her. She is a set-apart young woman, and I've known it since I met her. God is doing a mighty work in her life, and it is a privilege to see it and be a small part of it. She, along with my sweet mother-in-law, myself, and my daughter all started attending Beth Moore's "Jesus the One and Only" study this week, and Mary is going to volunteer in our Awana Club this year with our jr. high girls. It's so awesome to see her responding to God's love for her by wanting to go deeper in His Word and to serve in a ministry. God is good. All the time.
  


• A new mission opportunity. We are looking at a trip as a family in November. I'll post more about it (including the location!) soon. God is so faithful to bring about these opportunities to serve Him as a family.

There is oh-so-much more I could write about. (For instance, I'm still thankful for my "maidservants" who will be hard at work for me today and tomorrow as we end our week and head into the weekend!) I've been giving them their portions this morning already. :)


I hope this day finds you experiencing God's lovingkindness like never before. Have a terrific Thursday, and thank you so much for stopping by!


To read more Thankful Thursday posts or to add your own, please head on over to Sting My Heart.

Thankful Thursday

Oh, how refreshing in the midst of the heat of 105-109 degree days to stop and be... thankful. It is truly a cool, refreshing breeze against the oppressive discontent that can so easily settle in my spirit!

Today I'm thankful for:

~air conditioning. Truly. I have been praying for those who have nowhere to go to escape the scorching heat.

~a forecast of cooler temperatures through the weekend and next week.

~that the city library was kind enough to send our church their library book that we accidentally turned in there last week. (I knew that would happen if we checked out a book about sharks at church... that it would end up in the wrong basket!)

~ for my sweet cyber-smart mother-in-law who sends me e-cards. I'm also thankful for her wonderful, new job that she will be starting soon. Going to work a few years ago was a season of transition for her after being home so many years raising six kids. I am thankful that God helped her to hone marketable skills (not to mention tenacity and people skills) while she was home caring for those precious babies all those years.

~ for my hard-working husband who leaves the house at dark:30 in the morning to provide for our family. And calls me to thank me for the balogna sandwich I sent with him. :) How I love it when he comes in the door in the evenings and we all share a meal together. It's one of my favorite things in this life.

~ for the sound of Legos rattling in the bins upstairs as I write. I love my creative 11 year old boy and the creatures, ships and robots that he proudly shows me. While he builds with plastic bricks, God is nurturing and fostering his creativity, preparing him for the many ways He'll have him use it for building the Kingdom for God's glory throughout his life.

~ for my sleepy teenager who I'm letting "sleep in" during her last few days of summer. She works so hard for others, babysitting, working at our church cafe, teaching a gymnastics class, and helping me at the Awana office and around our house. I can see that God is building a strong work ethic in her, and I know it will serve her (and most of all, her Heavenly Father) well.

~ for the energy and creativity God is granting me as I prepare for our upcoming schoolyear. Homeschooling is one of the privileges for which I remain supremely grateful everyday. Each year as the task seems to grow more daunting, God's grace increases all the more to meet me in my weaknesses and help me rise to the responsibility. Believe me, it's all Him!! Thank You, Lord!!

~ for all of the volunteers we have so far in our Awana club. It takes about 150 volunteers to run a club our size, and God Himself is assembling a top-notch team who He will use this year to bless so many households in our community. I love the mental image of His Word being poured into those homes and little hearts. Lives are being shaped and transformed, and it's such a privilege to serve in this ministry. It's a lot of work at the moment, but He is showing me that it's worth it.

Please stop by Iris's to share your thanks or to visit others to see what they're thankful for. Be warned... it's contagious! :)

I'm thankful that you stopped by! Have a great day!

Thankful Thursday: Little Things

I haven't done a Thankful Thursday in just forever! I have been trying to cultivate a spirit of gratitude in recent months and today I thought I'd post some of the "little things" for which I'm grateful, that came to mind as I was getting up and around this morning:

~All of my houseplants are currently alive.

~My car passed inspection yesterday.

~My pedicure is still intact.

~There was enough of my favorite cereal for breakfast this morning.

~I went to Target yesterday.

~While there, I ran into a dear friend and got to chat.

~And I ran into someone who wants to be a leader in our Awana club.

~A sweet, fun friend is having my kids over to play today, while I go to a conference.

~All of our appliances are working, and even at this moment are washing our stuff and keeping our food cold.

~I know what I'm going to wear today.

~Despite the 105 degree heat index, I'll need a jacket at the conference.

~We have leftovers.

~We're having them for dinner tonight.

~I got up really early.

~The kids didn't.

~My bed is made and waiting for me to fall back into it tonight.

What "little things" are you thankful for today?

Visit Iris for more Thankful Thursday posts.

Thankful Thursday

I'm letting The Valley of Vision speak for me today:

Lord, I am thankful this day for:

"the soul thou has created,
for adorning it, sanctifying it,
though it is fixed in barren soil;

for the body thou hast given me,

for preserving its strength and vigour,

for providing senses to enjoy delights,

for the ease and freedom of my limbs,

for hands, eyes, ears that do thy bidding;

for thy royal bounty providing my daily support,

for a full table and overflowing cup,

for appetite, taste, sweetness,

for social joys of relatives and friends,

for ability to serve others,

for a heart that feels sorrows and necessities,

for a mind to care for my fellow-men,

for opportunities of spreading happiness around,

for loved ones in the joys of heaven,

for my own expectation of seeing thee clearly.

I love thee above the powers of language to express, for what thou art to thy creatures.
Increase my love, O my God, through time and eternity."

Amen.

To read more "Thankful Thursday" posts, visit Iris at Sting My Heart.

Thankful Thursday

I want to play! I have had some "down time" this evening to click around on some of my favorite blogs, and came to Iris's and read her "Thankful Thursday" list. I just love this, and I love reading what others are thankful for. I truly think thankfulness is contagious, because after reading two or three I began to nod my head more and more, being both thankful on behalf of the person who wrote the post, as well as sensing a growing thankfulness for so much in my own life. Isn't this the way it's supposed to be? That must be partly why we are instructed so often in the Bible to be thankful. It has such a tendency to permeate our circumstances as well as the hearts of others.

So, here's what I'm thankful for this week:

• My loving husband, who God has used to bless my life on every level, on Valentine's Day and everyday.
• My hard-working kids who have done whatever they were asked to do for school this week, with excellence and diligence.
• A fresh coat of paint on much of our downstairs. Oh how it soothes me to see it looking so beautiful!
• My weenie dog, Zacchaeus, who I received for a Valentines Day present 7 years ago. We've had an "anniversary" of sorts this week. He makes me smile everyday.
• An increasingly "uncluttered" mind, thanks to a recent re-alignment of my priorities.
• Wise friends who God uses to speak truth into my life and encourage me toward excellence.
• My electric blanket. So cozy.
• House chores which remind me that we have an active family, dirty dishes which remind me that we have food, and laundry which reminds me that we have clothes.

Visit Iris at Sting My Heart to read more Thankful Thursday participants. It's contagious...You will be blessed!