Thankfulness

Thankfulness

         Thankfulness, a good way to end 2006 and begin 2007.  Too many times I spend my hours thinking of things that don't make a difference.  Things that have happened that I wish had not. Wars and rumors of wars, thoughts of demons and prophets and the end of time cloud my thinking.  Things that have caused me stress like children, marriage, work and money. 

         Most of the time I don't think of the things to be thankful for.  I'm working on this, we all should.  I want to be thankful.  More often than not there is much more to be thankful for than to be stressed about.  I should be more thankful for the blessings I have every day.  I don't pray as frequently as I would like or as frequently as I should.  Most important though, I don't thank God as much as I should for his grace and the glory of his love and being part of his body. 

          Our Father always takes care of us.  We can always depend on him.  Even in our sinfulness, (what ever that is) he may allow us punishment through events and circumstances, but he is always there to caress us and embrace us when we need him.  For this we should be tremendously thankful!  We can be sure that what we have been promised we will receive.  As well as this, we can be sure that the power that he gives us to become his children through our belief is substantial (despite the weakness of our faith) enough to take our growth all the way to completion.  This is what we can be happy in.  Sooner or later this goal will be reached because it is not entirely up to us.  God loved us enough to make the ultimate sacrifice and investment and he will see us through!  We can be happy and thankful!  We can be happy and thankful in each minute of our life!  Our Father will provide us with the things we need when we need them.  Sometimes we can't see where or when our support will come but if we trust God and continue pressing forward we will reach our point of happiness and completeness because our Father will fill us with his love and our hearts will be glad always. 

          God is the force that (when trusted) keeps you from falling.  He carries us through thick and thin.  He teaches us daily how to walk and be independent.  He fills us with his love and spirit.  We in turn learn to live a life of happiness, grace, faith and love.  Our Father is good and takes good care of us!  He is never late.  He is always right on time.  He is seldom early either.  This sometimes has the effect of making me a little crazy.  See ... sometimes I feel like I can't take any more.  Sometimes I don't feel as though I can face another day; sometimes I feel like quitting; like it's not worth it; like I've reached the end of my rope.  Faith in our Father though, teaches me that just over there - behind the next bend - there twelve hours away - in a time and space I cannot see - God has already provided for me!  This is something for me to be thankful for! 

          No matter how it looks - he has it all under control.  We have to learn to picture ourselves as an individual cell in the body.  We have to learn to be content in our position as this cell in the body and learn to trust that the head of the body (Jesus) knows what to do.  This is another thing to be thankful for.

          Grow strong.  Read and learn.  What you feel strongly influenced by hold close to your heart.  Leave the rest, I will not be offended.  Our Father will reinforce your spirit and strengthen your ankles.  Take heart and faith ... this will get you through.  Pray always, in every thing acknowledge God.  He will lead you through.