Thank you?

Yes, thank you, Lord.

God has prompted me lately to say 'thank you' for all sorts of things: walks in the chilly air arm in arm with my girls, that the glass did not break when I dropped it, a kiss from my Latvian man when he comes home from work, our basically perfect young man, Felly (our adored little dog), a candle burning, a friend calling.

I have had some rough points looking for the blessings in the season I find myself -the 'thank you's' - some hours between, some days - but the Lover of my soul brings me back to thank Him for it all. To bask in Him and His glory and His love and His protection is a privilege and a joy. I know (I have been learning) that I need to keep my hand open to all He gives me, because I know that He only gives me what I need. "My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus".

HIS riches, not this lady's.

All that I have that is good, rich, beautiful - ALL - is from God. Ooh, that gives my heart rest - I don't have to produce any sort of goodness/awesomeness - ANYTHING good is from Him, and He will do it!

:)

Oh, dear ones, I pray that I can encourage you to get to know God and Jesus Christ Whom He has sent better and better and better, because I KNOW it is the only pathway to true thankfulness. As we become more intimate with the Perfect Caregiver, we will live more and more fully in His presence, which the Scriptures so beautifully show is to be in that joyful, thankful place.

How James can exhort us in James 1:2-4 to

  "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

quite shows me that a heart who knows the living God will see as all good for himself and others, no matter how hard; that it is making us more into His image.

Ok, Rocked.

I am blown away by the term, "pure joy". That is what we CAN have!

I want me some of that.

Father, I pray that anyone reading this will be moved by the Holy Spirit to pursue, seek, desire You above all else. That we would look at our trials as opportunities to grow more in love and more dependent on you. I pray that you bless anyone reading this with your presence.

blessings!

Lisa