Thankful...

When life is just cruising along, we focus on the tasks at hand and are barely aware of what's really important. Often, it takes times of trial to cause us to take notice of our blessings.  Sometimes, we look back and see the blessing of the trial itself, and that gives us hope and peace about what ever comes next.

So, after this  absolutely crazy 2007, where I have known great heartache &  homelessness, I rejoice in it all, as I give thanks...                                      

Lord, Thank you...                                                                                                                  For severely pruning me, and the fruit that will result for Your glory. For clearly showing me how desperately wicked my heart is, and how it cannot be trusted. For teaching me to trust YOU, to keep my eyes on You when I can't see the road ahead. For showing me that You really do "own the cattle on a thousand hills", and when I pray, You provide.                                                                                                                                   For creating in me a deeper love and respect for my husband, as he has shared his gift of deep faith, with my wavering heart, in many nights of tears and prayers, and many days of fears and promise verses given. For the fact that he is a shepherd and I am to be one with him. That You are his Shepherd, and You will guide him safely.                                                  For my children, and their being just so wonderful and fun to be with everyday. For the way you bolstered their faith with amazing answers to prayer. For the work you are doing to heal their sad hearts, and to give them a safe home and a hope for the future.                                                              For my extended family, in opening their homes and hearts and purses to us, over and over. For their obvious battle of love in watching us falter as doors closed and seeing us leave them as distant strange doors opened.      For music that can be the very expression of what I long to say to You or about You. That I can share it with my musical family, and all those precious times that it has been our prayer and praise and has given us peace.                                                                                                                                                     For my new church family, so giving, and so understanding. For providing us with a home, and salary and benefits. For giving us the hope of once again, truly serving You Lord, by loving Your sheep.                                                                                                                                        For a house, this little cape cod that has given us a warm shelter and a place to call home. For the breathtaking autumn surrounded by woods out every window, and now the Ragged Mountains topped with snow.  For a place to do school with my boys, and a yard for them to run in, and giant boulders and trees to climb and build forts in.                                                                                                                                                 Lord, there is so much to thank you for, but most of all I thank you for saving me. For being that friend that sticks closer than a brother, for being so real to me at times that Your  presence is like my breath. I can't help but speak Your name Jesus, and close my eyes and let Your light shine on me. Thank You Lord for being in me, that as in the song, " I am never alone." Thank You for what ever You have planned and purposed for this sinner, I know You who have called me, will also do it through me.

"...And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which he wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him  at His own right hand in the heavenly places..." Eph.1:19&20