Thankful Thursday

***Life***

This is my first time to post for what other bloggers call Thankful Thursday, but I think I'll give it a try! This morning I woke up really tired and wanting to go back to sleep...that would probably be because I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning (which is way too late for me, but something I tend to do when my husband is away...I just don't sleep like I do when he's right next to me). The twins have tests all day so they wanted me to cook a big breakfast so I got up unwillingly and made my way to the kitchen. Only minutes after doing so though, I felt joy. I can't really explain it, but I thought to myself, "I love life...even with its ups and downs...I love life!"

Later, while driving home from taking everyone to school, I had that thought again...I love life. Noticing that I was thinking that again, I wondered why. Why would this thought come to mind, especially when my husband has been out in the field and we aren't seeing him most of this month? It doesn't make sense to me! Usually I'm in a bit of a lull when he is away.

A few minutes later my neighbor came to mind. My exact thought was focused on the spelling of her name at first. Weird, huh?! Then, without a doubt, I'm certain I heard the Lord speaking to my heart, "Go check on her this morning." "OK, but why?" I asked. Not because I didn't want to, but because I was curious as to what he wanted me to do. It's a really stupid question to ask God, really...her husband is deployed so why wouldn't I just naturally do that? Probably because I haven't been so good about that in the past. Until this week.

God is showing me how important it is to be obedient to Him. Many of the blessings of this life are in the moments of surrender and obedience. Trusting Him that He has a purpose and a plan in everything brings much more meaning to life! Going over to spend a little time with her was such a blessing to me. Every time I see her I think, "I admire her." Her husband has been deployed several times, yet she always seems to have a smile on her face. The love she has for her three children is evident and I enjoy seeing how she interacts with them. They are happy, sweet children and I know it can be tough when they are small and dad isn't there every night to help out, yet I would never know it by just looking at her.

When I arrived, I told her God had laid her on my heart this morning to go see if I could do anything for her, and she shared with me a little of what she has been going through lately and how sometimes God uses other people to speak to us when we need to know He is near. When we don't seem to feel His presence or hear His still small voice, someone seems to do something that allows us to know for certain He is hearing our prayers and is there. I'm thankful for this morning...

So, here's a few more things I'm thankful for about Life:

1. I'm thankful that I have life. Not only life here on earth but, more importantly, eternal life because of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.

2.I'm thankful for life spent with a godly husband and four beautiful children. I can't imagine life without them. They are my most precious blessings!

3. I'm thankful for the life I had growing up with two wonderful, Christian parents who loved me and cared for me; and three brothers whom I love very much. They sometimes made life really interesting for this only girl, as I'm sure I did for them as well. (I posted a picture of them on yesterday's post.)

4. I'm thankful that God chose to make relationships an important part of life. People matter! I'll be honest, relationships aren't always easy because we're human and we all make mistakes, but I can't imagine life without people and friendship!

5. I'm thankful for life even when it is difficult. As I reflect on some of the difficulties I've faced in life, I know that it has made me more of who I'm meant to be in Christ. Some difficulties we place on ourselves, but God knows we're going to make mistakes and yet He still chooses to use us to further His kingdom. Had I not experienced His forgiveness and grace many years ago, I would not be who I am - in Him - today. And, had I not trusted Him in circumstances out of my control, I would not be where I am today. He is molding and making me who He wants me to be with each passing day...for His glory. Trusting Him, in whatever comes my way, will bring glory to His name. I want to live my life for the One who gave His life so that I could experience eternal life!

I have so much to be thankful for. We all do. Taking the time to think about what I am thankful for about life has been a blessing for me today. I could go on and on, but I know I need to get some things done. My husband called and gets to come sleep at home tonight, before heading back out into the field in another area, so I'm going to go make plans for a wonderful dinner at home tonight. I am grateful for however many hours I will have with him, even if most of it is just having him sleeping beside me. He's going to walk through that door dirty, and probably a little smelly in a few hours, but he makes life all the more beautiful to me.

Jesus said, "...I have come that they may have life and have it to the full." John 10:10