Thanksgiving.
Another
school year is done and summertime is upon us. The sun is high in the
sky. RV's and campers dot the highways on their way to the mountains for
summer excursions. Local pools and lakes are teeming with those ready to
enjoy some summer time water fun. It may seem a bit premature to be thinking
about Thanksgiving. I mean really, it is still roughly 5 months away. It seems
that November rolls around and we are all suddenly ready to really focus on the
things we are thankful for. But what about during the rest of the year? Are we
thankful? Do we pause to even think about all the things we can be thankful
for?
Each and every day, God blesses us. He
doesn't have to. We certainly don't deserve his blessing. But he chooses
to continually bless us with his love for us; with his mercies; with his grace.
I am thankful for a tender, loving God. I am thankful for a God who is wise,
just, sovereign and above all else, immutable. He never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and forever! Just the same God every day. What an amazing thing to be thankful for! In spite of my shortcomings and my "human-ness", God continues to love me! He loves you too!
Toda leCHa elohim
(Hebrew for thank you God).
The voice of God speaks.
Todah.
On this morning, in the middle of the year, I pause to give thanks for a few things that I am thankful for. I am pleased that in the stillness of the morning, I can hear the voice of God. He whispers through the rustling of the leaves on the trees. He reassures me that HE is in control. That no matter what good and goodness, no matter what trials or troubles come my way, that he has already gone ahead of me. He has it and I am in the palm of his hand.
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you,
I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
~ Isaiah 41:10
Just as we take care of our children, when we follow God and his ways, he takes care of us. He has a plan for us He will guide us every step and help us navigate the things that come our way.
"In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose
of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will..."
~ Ephesians 1:11
In my excitement for this summer that has finally arrived, I anticipate so many wonderful things and I am thankful. I am filled with thanks for the time off from work and for down time to focus on my family and faith. As I pray and write this morning, I am overcome with emotion as I think of the ways God has blessed my life and the lives of my loved ones! I am thankful for the time this summer to focus on the exciting things that lie ahead.
~ We are in the midst of wedding planning! My oldest daughter will be getting married on August 1. I am forever grateful for Katie and the wonderful, christian man she will marry. God truly knew what he was doing when he brought these two together! I look forward to soon having Aaron as my son-in-law and to the celebration of their marriage coming soon!
Photo credit to Photography by Lisa.
~ As I write this morning, my daughter Aubrie is somewhere over the Pacific Ocean on her way home from a seven week teaching and mission trip in Indonesia! I am forever grateful for the time abroad she has had to follow God's will for her life and share the love of God around the world. I cannot wait to welcome her home tonight and to hear of God's amazing work.
Princes and Princesses of the one true KING!
And so summer is here! I am ready to enjoy it. God has provided this time as respite from work and I will use it. I am blessed. Blessed beyond measure. By a God who loves me more than I ever deserve. Thanking Him ever so much on this beautiful June day in the middle of the year!
Take some time this morning to pause, to think, to pray and to give thanks to God for the wonderful ways he has blessed your life.
Be blessed.
"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!"
~ Psalm 107:1
Toda leCHa elohim.
