Oh, So Thankful!!!

Psalm 52:9

I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints.

Oh, what a good word I received from the Lord this week as I browsed another blog I read regularly, and I could not resist sharing it with you on this "Thankful Thursday." It encapsulates the desire I have as I write these posts each Thursday--to praise Him in the presence of all who will meander over and read the words I scroll here, simple words of thanksgiving, words that praise Him for what He has done for truly He is my hope!

Just these last few weeks I was talking to a sister in Christ and I said, "what do people do if they don't have Jesus?!" I found myself in a tough spot, you know the kind of spot where you know you're backed in a corner, you don't have the answer, the world "screams run, flee, cry, pound your fists, give up, give in, feel hopeless, feel helpless." We've all been there. When you're a mom and you love with reckless abandon, with all that is in you, with the kind of love that would lay down your life, you're there again and again. But, when you have Christ and you're backed in the corner, you know you don't have to respond in any of those ways, not because you're "SUPERMOM" or because you have this thing all figured out, or because you ate your Wheaties, took your vitamins, had your bubble bath, and now you're ready to face ANYTHING!!! NO, the reason you can face the enemy, the situation that has you backed in the corner, knowing that you don't have a way out unless Christ intervenes is simply because He IS YOUR HOPE!!!! He has promised you that the power that raised Him from the dead is yours (Ephesians 1:18-20)!!! WOW!!! What else could we possibly need to face WHATEVER comes our way. We can say with Paul--"I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH!!" We can say with the Psalmist, "I WILL PRAISE YOU FOREVER. . .IN YOUR NAME WILL I HOPE!"

So, on this "Thankful Thursday", again I will choose joy, thankfulness, and hope!!! I will choose to see Christ right in the middle of my week. In the middle of the situations where I am backed in a corner and frankly it's just not pretty! I'll choose to see Christ in the situations that seem impossible because the longer I live I'm beginning to learn that those are the situations where Christ likes to show up. What I wish we all could learn is that we all have STUFF. No one's life is rosy, peachy, and perfect all the time. Often we look in on the lives of others and it seems just perfect, but the reality is "that's not reality!!" No one (let me repeat that), NO ONE, has a perfect life. I once mentioned in a Sunday school class that if your neighbor's yard looks greener it's because of 1 of 2 reasons: 1. they've been working really hard fertilizing, pulling weeds, etc. or 2. they have a whole lot of manure that you just can't see!!! It's never as green on the other side as it might seem with just a glance. Your brothers and sisters in Christ are choosing to trust Christ as their hope, their peace, their joy. . . Their life is not perfect, Christ is perfect!!! They have dark days, they fall flat and get up again. We all are on a journey. Our only HOPE is to keep our eyes on Him and to run hard after His heart.

So, let's spend our energy on PRAISING Him for FOREVER for what He has done (and who He is) for HE IS OUR ONLY HOPE. His name is GOOD!! Call on His name in the GOOD times and in the BAD. PRAISE HIM, PRAISE HIM, PRAISE HIM in the presence of all the saints!! It will do your heart good and the hearts of all who hear!!!

Counting God's Gifts to 1,000. . .

15. The gentle chirping of birds outside my window each morning reminding me of the promise of spring and new life and God's constant care for His creation. (Matthew 10:29)

16. The wonderful opportunity to homeschool my girls--engaging in amazing conversations with them. Seeing them enjoy learning. Anna Claire is learning to read. Carrington is learning so many things--seeing her learn about her country's history and understanding how God has been so present in all of that is a blessing! The high moment of the week has been a conversation we had about the SUN and how when Christ returns there will be no need for the SUN because He will be the light. They both were overwhelmed with that thought and in unison said, "Can't He come today?!" Is homeschooling worth it? YES!!!

17. The pride my daughter takes in wanting to show me something she's accomplished OVER and OVER, simply wanting to know that I'm pleased with her accomplishments, proud of how hard she's worked to learn what she's learned. I bet it thrills God's heart to see His children work diligently at the things He's gifted us at and use our gifts for His glory!!!!

18. Hearing my daughters pray for things that really matter--a situation that dad needs wisdom/guidance on, safety for their friends, healing for someone who is sick, salvation for a friend, a heart for their Papa--the faith of children, AMAZING!!!

19. Moments spent with an older couple, reminding me of the wisdom that comes in YEARS!!!

20. Corporate worship.

21. UpWard basketball celebration, seeing a packed worship center with families hearing the Gospel, grandmas and grandpas, moms and dads, boys and girls raising their hands that they accepted Christ. That's why we do UpWard!!

22. Friendship

23. Reminders that God knows our needs and provides for His children

24. A text from a friend reminding me that God is always working, drawing man's heart to Himself, we don't always understand how or when we may be a small part (planting a seed, watering the seed, tending the garden, pulling a weed. . .) So thankful for God's faithfulness!

"I praise YOU God for You have done AMAZING things. You are my only hope. Thank you for working on my behalf again and again. Please help me SEE, HEAR, and FULLY EXPERIENCE all the ways you are working in me, around me, and through me. To you be the Glory for you are WORTHY!!!!"