Thankful Thursday...

I'll keep this one short & sweet...God has been good to me.

It goes like this & in no order of the degree of thankfulness.

1.) The fact I will be able to spend Thanksgiving with my little brother & his girlfriend (whom I love) and their family this year.

2.) I can't wait to start cooking with Bonnie & Lisa next Wednesday.

3.) Friday night lights in my home town. It's been so fun to get to catch up in person with old friends that are dear to me & to get to re-experience the energy & excitement of a great football team!

4.) My friends. Lord have mercy what I fail to have by way of family God has given me by way of friends. I have the best, hands down!

5.) My husband who just last night held me without saying a word while I let out a long overdue ugly cry! He is my best friend & I plan on honoring him all the days of my life!

What are you thankful for? Get to writing, it feels good!

Katie

be ever learning...ever listening

I just read The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers in two days, it was that good. I couldn't lay it down. The Lord spoke to me through this book over & over. Right down to the main character's name being "Cadi" So not a coincidence if you ask me. I've had many opportunities to read this book but I guess this was the right season. Or so I believe. Here is one of the most poignant things I read.

"Eagles fly higher in a storm...

Trees grow strong in stiff winds...

and our mountains and valley's drink of the water from the rains of heaven."

What I feel I've learned over the last few years but heard as clear as day this week when I read that sentence was this. Is God not the same God during the storm as He is in the calm? Is He not the same God on the mountain top as He is in the valley? Matter of fact I would say we are more sensitive & aware of God's presence in the darkest of times. With that being said I thank God for the valley... for the storms. What I heard dancing around in my spirit that night was this.

"Have you ever stopped to think that it was Me that allowed the storm to come? Did it ever occur to you that in order to be who I needed you to be it would require walking through the lowest of valley? You see child I knew what circumstance would develop & strengthen your loudest voice for Me."

I was speechless & moved to tears.

I've learned that we can't forsake our lives for one moment. Not the way they've turned out. Or the circumstances we are in because our heavenly Father has determined our steps before we were created. He knows us intimately and what it takes to bring us to our full purpose for Him. What He promises & we can be certain is that the ending is GOOD!

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.~Romans 5:3-4

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.~James 1:2-4

Thankful Thursday Part Dos

It's only 2 weeks until Thanksgiving?! What? I don't know about you but this year has flown by & I can barely get adjusted! I've had an interesting week. None the less blessed so here's it goes:

~ to have been born in America, to have been able to always have a free "choice" in everything I've done...

~to have had a safe, enjoyable childhood. My dad was always there for us & so was my mom.

~ for the hard times in my life because I'm convinced it's those times of shame & disappointment that drove me to my dependence on Christ...

~for the opportunity to minister to the woman in jail. It's amazing to be able to read & explain the scriptures to them & see God moving in there lives...

~for the ability to help others out that need it & having the resources to do so...

~for pedicures & manicures. It always relaxs me & they make my nails look so PRee-Tay...

~to be able to trust God for my future & the future of my family...

~to know God desires to bless us all despite our shortcomings & He faithfully does it to show us His goodness...

~to be able to pray & converse with God my Savior...


God has two dwellings; one in heaven, and the other in a meek and thankful heart.~Izaak Walton

Even though we can't have all we want, we ought to be thankful we don't get what we deserve.

 

 

 

Thankful Thursday...

How appropriate that the first day of November be a Thursday &what a perfect time to place emphasis on what we're thankful for! So here it goes for my thankful Thursday...

1 Thessalonians 5:18  in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

“We would worry less if we praised more. Thanksgiving is the enemy of discontent and dissatisfaction.” ~ Harry Ironside

1. A loving God, what a privilege it is to be able to serve Him on a daily basis.

2. A godly husband, it's amazing to watch God transform someone you have prayed for, for so long! It's been a hard but rewarding journey simply proving His faithfulness to answer prayer!

3. Healthy, sweet natured, onry sons...I certainly would not be the same without them in my life!

4. Coffee & Jesus...no words really express the fulfillment this ministry has given me. Thankful that God has entrusted me with this!

5. Friends that are more like family...God has placed woman in my life who genuinely love & care for me. Life would be a lot harder if it weren't for Cheri, Amanda, Dana, and Lindsey pouring into me when I'm down, loving & believing in me!

6. Stable jobs, with steady income... I've been blessed with a great boss!

7. Quiet time in the Word...there is nothing more refreshing than hearing God through scripture, especially when it lines up with what your currently battling.

8. Restful weekends spent relaxing & enjoying my family.

9. Laughing! My favorite is laughing so hard I cry! I have really humerous sons & brothers so never a dull moment when they're around.

10. Adorable coffee mugs & new journals! Both bring me joy, call me corny(me no care!) lol I'm easy to please.


Now share what your thankful for! It feels good to think of all God's done inspite of the difficulties of life!


In Him,

 KATIE