The Fourth, but Not Last, Thankful Thursday

With this Thankful Thursday in mind, I realize, without much elaboration, I have barely scratched the surface of this thankful heart. So, I have decided to keep it going throughout the weeks to come. Whenever I think of it, on a Thursday, I will post a sentiment. 

 

Not every situation we are put in is worthy of praise. But imagine, finding at least one thing to be thankful for in that circumstance, it changes your entire perspective. You begin to look for more, little things, that you may have once overlooked. You have to train your mind to think of the things that are worthy of *praise.

Choosing to be thankful is actually a *sacrifice. You are making a choice to let go of the overwhelming emotions that tie you to the circumstances. Instead of resenting them, you grow from them. And eventually, you become grateful for them. You begin to notice that it affects you a whole lot less, and it stops controlling your way of thinking. You're happy because you have found so many moments to be thankful for.

Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip
you to complete the long journey

>>James 1:2-4<<

 

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

>>1Thessalonians 5:18<<

Happy Thanksgiving Friends.

Thank you Lord, for continually showing me what it means to be thankful. 

And thank you Callie, for inspiring this journey.

 

*Philippians 4:8

*Psalm 50:23

 

The Third Thankful Thursday



Handprints on the Walls

 

I live in a house with 5 children ranging in age from five months to seven years old. <<Two of the kids are my brother and sister.>> This goes without saying, the house looks like a tornado touched down on most days. My mom and I constantly banter about which one of us cleaned what last, since, a lot that each of us do will go unnoticed. Visitors rarely see the house tidied as it takes less than an hour <<sometimes minutes>> before the kids realize it is too clean. You would never know the amount of time we spend on our hands and knees scrubbing the floors, "magic" erasing handprints from the walls, sweeping, vacuuming, bleaching toilets, picking up toys, loading and reloading the dishwasher, the piles of laundry we fold or re-fluff in the dryer, etc. These jobs aren't just invisible within the walls occupied by 9 people, it is the complaint of nearly every mother. 
 

Yet, in spite of that, I am grateful for this particular roof over my head. Chaotic as it may be, the love surpasses it. My mom and I have bonded through the messes we clean together. And dream <<aloud>> about the day Chad and I will actually move out. We end up laughing about who made what disaster and why we rather sit for three hours on a Saturday morning, drinking coffee, than pick up, listen to, or scrub anything. 

The truth is, the grubby little hands bless my life beyond belief. This is a memory we all share. Some day we will look back and cherish the time spent under one roof together. Not to mention, recall the miracle it was that we all survived.

 

By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.

>>Psalm 24:3-4<<

 

I will think twice the next time I go to complain about the circumstances, because, not everyone has a place to call home, with food on the table, toys and gadgets, or so much as a family like this. I am thankful for this home and the people in it, as well as the family outside of this house that God has blessed me with.

 

 

Thank you Lord, for my home & entire family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Second Thankful Thursday

It seems too often that we take our spouses for granted. We get so caught up in current circumstances that we soon forget the vows we shared or the intense butterflies that brought us to that point. I am guilty of it too. The love doesn't have to be such a distant memory though. If you make a conscious effort to be thankful for your spouse daily, <<even if you aren't fond of them at the moment, think back to a time you were>> over time, you will see that a new habit has been instilled. A thankful heart is a happy heart.

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are

excellent and worthy of praise      

>>Philippians 4:8<<

 

 

 

The Man I Was Created For

I am thankful for the man God created me for.  It is because of Chad that I have the relationship I do with the Lord. We have been through things that should have torn us apart and a few things that have come very close. Had I not spent so much time in prayer during those exasperating seasons of growth, I wouldn't have seen the result of God's love in our marriage. I wouldn't have seen the result of God's love in me.

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

>>1Corinthians 13:7<<

   

I am grateful for Chad's heart. It is like no other that I know. He has been a pillar for me through agonizing struggles. He takes care of me, encourages my dreams, supports my desires, defends me without fail. He gives his all in everything he does, adores our children, makes sacrifices for us, puts our needs above his, and has stood by me at my worst. <<I am so thankful that he loves me through those selfish times.>> He has completely been the influence in me becoming, and always striving to be a better person.

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude...

>>1Peter 4:8<<

 

Here is the man who provides for our family. His hands are rough, nails dirty, body aching, mind clustered, dead beat tired. His schedule is strenuous, and the job is taxing. His work ethic is unmatched. By the time his head hits the pillow, he has maybe been home an hour and all he requests is that I be near him. How that makes me feel, I cannot even describe. My job, as his wife is to serve him as unto the Lord. And I have found my heart happy every time I remind myself to do so. This man works too hard to have a wife take all that he does for granted.

 

 

We can never thank God enough for all the joy you give us as we rejoice in God's presence.
>>1Thessalonians3:9<<


Thank you Lord for this man.


And thank you Bay,
For loving me the way you do. And for loving the kids beyond measure.

 

 

 

Thankful Thursday

Every Thursday this month, I will be linking up with my good friend over
at Callie Loves to share some things I am thankful for.
You can do the same, or just follow along with us.

 A Thankful Heart
 Would it be totally and completely cliché to start this out with giving thanks to God for everything He has done? Probably. But that won't stop me from doing it. Not just on this Thursday, or throughout the month of November, but as often as I can. I need to remember to be more grateful for what the Lord has done for me, and for us.

 

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be
holy and without fault in his eyes.
>>Ephesians 1:4<<

For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son.
>>John 3:16<<

-because-
...where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.
>>Romans 5:20<<


But God does not just sweep life away; instead, He devises ways
to bring us back when we have been separated from Him.
>>2Samuel 14:14<<


He made their hearts, so He understands everything they do
>>Psalm 33:15<<

-And Jesus said-
You didn't choose Me. I chose you...
>>John 15:16<<


I am so thankful for His love.

His love for you and His love for me.

Before He created the earth, He had a purpose for you and I. He knew there would be sin in this world, so He sent His Son to save us by His amazing grace.
Even when we do not want anything to do with Him, He tugs on our heart strings and brings us back.

We did not choose Him. He chose us.

Thank you Lord.