30 Days of Thanks

Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, and November is almost over, now is a good enough time as any to share what I am more thankful for not just today, or this month, but always. [in no particular order]

1) I am thankful for my God. I am thankful that even when I fail to acknowledge Him, He is always there ready for me to come back to Him, to accept Him into my heart and life. When I look back on some of my "darker days" I can see God was there all the way, watching over me, guiding me, leading me along the road to Him!

2) I am thankful for the freedom to worship God. While praying out loud or in public places is not allowed, or is just severely frowned upon, I can still sit in a coffee shop or library or even college reading my Bible. I can pray silently to myself. I can pray openly and aloud with friends and ones in need of prayer as long as they are open and receptive to it. I can go to church and freely lift my hands and give all the glory, honor and praise to God--that belong to Him alone! Freedom from judgement, freedom from fear, freedom from running and hiding, freedom to be open about my faith in God!

3) Thankful for my family. Sure we don't always agree or see eye to eye, but I have been blessed with a family that always made sure I had a roof over my head, food on the table, and clothes on my back. My family taught me about God and it is because of that foundation that I am thankful for God and the freedom to worship so freely and wholly!

4) My dear, dear friends. I am thankful for each and every person who has come into my life. Whether you stayed a day, or have been in my life for years. Having friends has helped teach me much about myself in regards to love, communication, balance, honesty, self confidence, and trust [just to name a few]. Even when we have had disagreements, we have worked hard to get thru them and over them. Sometimes we have just had to agree to disagree; others we have had to part ways at this time. No matter the circumstances, please know that y'all have played a vital role in where I am, and whom I am, today! I am sorry if I have been less then a friend to you lately. I am working on finding that balance one again and getting back out there and working on maintaining and building relationships!

5) Answered prayers. I am thankful that even when the answer is not what I wanted, in hind sight, I can see just how much more God knew about the situation then me and gives me only what He sees best!

6) My job. I am thankful for a place to work, a place where I can make an income. Thankful that is pays the bills, pays for schooling and there is some for spending on not only myself but on my friends as well.

7) Thankful for natural remedies that make me feel better. [Yey Herbalife!]

8) Thankful for school. A place I can go and further my education. A place where I can experience diversity and it pulls and pushes on my very core and beliefs.

9) Thankful for my phone so that I can stay connected with friends and family.

10) Thankful for my talents to play piano and knit.

11) Thankful for my car which gets me places; church, work, school, friends, family.

12) Thankful that I can read and write.

13) Thankful for electricity. As fun as I think it would be to use candle light, I am thankful that it is not something that needs to be used all the time.

14) I am thankful for snow. It is so beautiful. Also thankful that it is the end of November and there hasn't been any devestating horrible snow storms yet. :)

15) Thankful for the Christmas season. It brings people together! It is the time we celebrate the birth of Christ who came that we all may live!

16) Thankful for my dad and all he does to help and encourage me thru life.

17) Thankful for those friends who have helped me out in a time of need; even when they haven't known I was in need. With an invite to dinner, a time to hang out, a conversation over a cuppa joe.

18) Thankful for this past year. I've been more places this year then ever before, met new people, it has certainly been the year of the most inner growth.

19) Thankful for annoyances. It is those little pet peeves that remind me that I am human and that with the help and grace of God, I can overcome anything.

20) Thankful to be completely off anti-depressants and prescription drugs for almost a year and a half!!!!!

21) Thankful for mistakes. And the grace that has been shown to me in them. And what I have learned from them.

22) Thankful for safety. There is obviously a bigger picture and mission that must be fulfilled because I am still here. ;)

23) Thankful for shoes. Pretty shoes, useful shoes, fun shoes!

24) Thankful for my health!

25) Thankful for running and my running buddy and my running enouragment!

[To do]

Being so consumed with one thing, that [almost] all else gets forgotten. Time for self-discipline, motivation, determination, and less screen time. Homework, here I come. Only 2 full weeks of class, then 2 finals. I.have.this.

[Consistency]

I ran into someone who I haven't seen in years. I never would have thought this person was Christian back in the day. Yet here we were at church for the young adults ministry. It got me thinking. I want to be consistent. I want anyone and everyone that I encounter to know that I am a Christ follower. Without a shadow of a doubt, I am God's daughter and I know it. Not in a preachy, holier then thou way at all. But in such a way that I an confident in who I am in Christ and there is no shame in sharing Christ, the Gospel, God, what God is doing in my life with others and so on and so forth. That I do this with such passion and conviction and love! I know that we go thru seasons. I know that we go thru things to build and strengthen our testimony so we can witness to others. And I got to see that firsthand tonight. That who someone was, or thought to be, has come a long way and is now living boldly and courageously for the LORD. Each day is a new day, a day to make the choice to reread last page and dwell on it, or turn the page and start today anew. It takes courage. It takes confidence. It takes rebuking satan and turning wholeheartedly to God. It takes choosing between God or self. It isn't easy. But it is SO incredibly rewarding. The choice is yours.