Thankfulness

Thankfulness: 
conscious of benefit received; expressive of thanks; well pleased


This Thanksgiving I have much to be thankful for.  God has blessed me and poured out His loving kindness.  Praying this morning, I began to write down things that I am thankful to God for.  Some are major growing things that God is doing inside of me and other things are the simple joys in life.  {In no particular order}

1. Shown Yourself faithful
2. Grown in my trust & faith in You
3. Given me strength & perseverance
4. Taught me where my value comes from
5. Provided for me to pay my bills
6. Given me a roof over my head & food
7. Revealing a community here in this place
8. Opened opportunities to serve
9. Blessed with good health
10. Given me hope for the future
11. Teaching me Your ways
12. My 23 beautiful children
13. The courage to listen to Your will and obey
14. Memories
15. The ability to forgive and forget
16. A family that loves me
17. The chance to encourage others
18. A future in You
19. Beauty all around me
20. Your creation and the lessons it teaches me
21. Travel
22. That I am a reflection of You
23. You are my Father in Heaven
24. I am redeemed
25. There is no condemnation in You
26. For the dreams You have given to me
27. Creativity
28. An education
29. The experiences I've had
30. Friends and kindred spirits
31. Peace of the mind & spirit
32. Coffee
33. Joy in any circumstance
34. Tears
35. Your guiding hand that never leaves me
36. Plans to go to Africa (soon!)
37. A church that is seeking You
38. Living out who You have called me to be
39. A heart of compassion
40. That You have good plans for me
41. Salvation
42. Hope for a husband someday
43. Abundant life
44. My needs are met
45. Grace & mercy
46. Your Word that guides me
47. Answered prayers
48. Patience
49. Family
50. I am Yours

I have a great deal to be thankful for.  This week especially I am thankful for good reports about my kids back in Africa.  They are growing in the Lord and doing so well in school.  They are growing up quickly.  Here is a video of some of the girls from last Thanksgiving while we were at Mirembe House:

George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation, 1789:

"It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God, 

to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly implore His protection and favor."

Operation Christmas Child

This is my first year doing Operation Christmas Child.  It has been great!  I would encourage you to fill a shoe box and bless a child.  It is simple and a great way to start off the holiday season.  

You can find all the information you need on their website:

Operation Christmas Child

First, wrap a shoe box.

Second, fill the shoe box (you can find a list of recommended items on their website).

 I filled mine with: school supplies, personal care items, small etch-a-sketch, a little lamb, a jumprope, candy, and a few other things.  

Third, place a label for the age & gender and send!

You can even register your box online to see where it goes.  

Be creative!  Be a blessing!

What gives me value?

This video pretty much sums up what I have been growing in and learning the last couple of weeks:



It wasn't until a conversation with this dear friend that I realized just what God wanted me to know.  I know that this is nothing new and perhaps I should have known and lived this far before this moment in my life.  But, God is gracious with me.

The question of my heart has been: What gives me value?

It is NOT my job status.
It is NOT my education level.
It is NOT what others think of me.
It is NOT how much good I do.
It is NOT how much I sacrifice.
It is NOT what I do or don't do.
It is NOT my relationship status.
Etc...

So, what gives me value?

I believe it is because I am a daughter of the King.
It is because He created and purposed me to love Him before time.
It is because He loves me.

It is as simple as that.  But, we run from this don't we?  We hide behind our titles and relationships.  We barricade our hearts.  How dare we be vulnerable and honest with others.  There is no way we could show others that we are weak.  What if they see that I don't have it all together?

For me, I think Christ is asking me to let go of these things.  To lay down what I think others think of me.  To lay down what society tells me my value is.  Because you see, I am valuable because I am His. Plain and simple.  He doesn't love me more or less, ever.  His love isn't based on what I do or don't do.

That is the kind of love that I want to receive and that is the kind of love that I want to give.

I want to love my neighbor not based on how well we get along, but because they are created and purposed by God.
I want to love my friends and family not based on what they do for me, but because they are created and purposed by God.
I want to love my (hopefully) future spouse not based on what he does or how he supports me, but because he is created and purposed by God.
I want to love my future children not based on what they do or how well they behave, but because they are created and purposed by God.

This is where freedom is.  When we know our value comes from Him and not anything that we do or don't do.  I am going to walk in this freedom.  Because when I trust Him fully, that is where freedom is to be found.