Thanksgiving for All Things

"Lord, how can I thank you when I am single and I want to be married?" "God, how can I ever be happy when I want to work and I am just not physically able?" "The car needs new brakes and I don't have the money to pay for them, Lord. How am I supposed to thank you?" Have you ever asked these questions, or others? Have you ever felt that you just couldn't be happy due to the circumstances in your life?

As Christians, we are supposed to have happy, contented hearts but how can we when the circumstances in our lives are not what we had planned and when they are out of our control?
But if we are not thankful, what are the alternatives? We become angry and bitter with God. We feel He is not giving us what we "rightfully deserve". If our friends have everything they want, why shouldn't we? Why does He give them what they pray for and refuse our prayers?

If we become bitter and angry with God, we are saying that God is not trustworthy and that He does not desire our good. Instead we should be thankful that God is in control and that He provides for us and works out all the circumstances in the lives of those who love him. He is intimately involved in our lives and works out his purposes through the events in our lives. Even though we might not understand why we have these circumstances, we should be thankful that we worship a God who cares and loves us and only wants the best for us.

God's love for us is not determined by the circumstances in our lives. His love for is steadfast. Our finances may not be what we want them to be, our marital status may change, we may lose our jobs or be unable to work - in spite of these circumstances we should be thankful to God and give Him thanks for His love. We should praise Him for all the wonderful things He has given us. We should be thankful for God sending His son to die on the cross for our sins. What a gift! What a reason to be thankful!

Lord, I am so thankful for the wonderful gift of your son. I am thankful that no matter what the circumstances are in my life that Your love is steadfast. Thank you, Lord, for your grace and mercy. Help us to see your will in all the circumstances of our lives and know that You are in control.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

A LONG BUT BLESSED DAY

It has been a really, really long day. I am not used to getting up at 6 in the morning anymore! My body truly cannot handle a 12 hour day. I am physically and mentally exhausted. But, as exhausted as I am and even though I know it will take me a few days to recover from today, it has truly been a great day. I got a lot accomplished, made a few dollars, met a friend for lunch, handed out some flyers for a Community Thanksgiving Dinner that my friend is organizing, purchased a vacuum cleaner for my daughter which she desperately needs for her allergies, talked to another friend on the phone - just a good day overall.

I am so grateful when I have days that I can do things and accomplish things because there are many days where I can't. I feel blessed that God has given me days that I can feel part of the world and not so isolated. And even though there are days that I am unable to do much of anything, I still feel truly blessed for the life God has given me.

Even though I am exhausted tonight, I am very happy. I once read where someone said "It is better to wear out doing good than to rust out doing little or nothing." I am so grateful that today was a day that I was able to wear out doing good!

Lord, instead of complaining and be depressed about the days that I can't do anything, I pray that You will help me to be grateful for the days like today that I can do things. Help me to see all the many blessings Y0u have given me. Show me ways, Lord, where I can serve You even on those days when I am limited. Help me to see that everyday is a beautiful day when we serve You, in any way we can. I thank you, Lord, for all that You have done for me and all the blessings You have bestowed on me. I truly am blessed.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8 NIV

START EACH DAY WITH PRAYER

I got up one morning and rushed right into the day
I had so much to accomplish that I didn't take time to pray.
Problems just tumbling about me, and heavier came each task.
"Why doesn't God help me," I wondered. He answered, "You didn't ask."

I wanted to see joy and beauty but the day tolled on, grey and bleak.
I wondered why God didn't show me. He said, "But you didn't seek."
I tried to come into God's presence; I used all my keys at the lock.
God gently and lovingly chided, "My child, you didn't knock."

I woke up early this morning and paused before entering the day.
I had so much to accomplish that I had to take time to pray.
---- Author Unknown

I don't know about you, but there are days that I just crawl out of bed without giving God a second thought. I don't thank Him for another day, for getting me through the night, or ask his blessings on the new day. And I have to admit on the days that I do neglect to pray to God, my days certainly don't go quite as well! The burdens seem heavier, the tasks greater, the direction harder to find.

Let's all try to remember to start our day with prayers of praise and thanksgiving and direction. Our days will certainly be blessed!

"My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the earth learn righteousness." Isaiah 26:9