I'm not Lucky, I'm Blessed... and Truly Thankful
There comes a time...
...when you get into the mundane mode of life.
People ask what I'm thankful for...
and I respond with...
...the usual.
Suprise-surprise...
"My Family. Friends. Food. My home. My books. Jesus."
Nothing more broad...
is there?
Why can't I sit down...
...and list what I'm truly thankful for?
And perhaps not really, "thankful?"
How about, "blessed with?"
Because I am so blessed.
I can say, "thankful,"
...but Who am I really thankful to?
Because...
"every good gift...
...and every perfect gift...
...is {guess what?!} from Above...
...and cometh down from...
...the Father of lights-
with Whom is no variableness."
Everything "I" have...
...is not really my own.
Not even "my" family...
let alone, "my life."
Life is a season...
of passings...
...and joys..
from our Abba alone.
So~ G-d, I am so blessed by
{My Marmee} - for her always being there, and taking care of me... our heart-to-hearts, over something steamy... tea.. coffee, you name it=) She's the second one I go to with anything that's bothering me {after my Jesus, of course}; and she'll always have an answer. I love that she will always pray with me. And I am so thankful fo her.
{My Daddy} - he's the provider, even though he's been injured for months. Whatever happens, even on
{My sisters~ Alexandrea and Grace-Hope} - I'm so blessed for the nutcase {Alexandrea}, and the noisemaker {Grace-Hope}; for being the distractions when I'm
{Chester and Lilly} - Chester had his own way of doing things... before Lilly came along. I'm so blessed, and thankful!- for them both. Until I was about six years old, we had labs- big ones, named Daisy, Keesha, and Shyanne. I have memories of Keesha and Shyanne running away every other morning, and Marmee and I going out walking {I in my sling, of course} to find 'em. I have memories of Daisy knocking over a three-year-old Alexandrea with her {almost always happy} wagging tail. And then we had to get rid of them- to much work. Ever since then, Alexandrea and I prayed for doggies- three years ago, Daddy and Marmee let us have, not one, but two doggies.
{My Home} - Lately, I've been researching the environments of the high population in Africa, Indonesia, and other fairly impoverished countries. Do you know just how many children go to bed each night in a cardboard box, or in a demolished clay hut? And here I am- in a home that is large enough for my family and all my wants, let alone my needs! My heart goes out to them. G-d gave us this to bless others with it, too... my latest project is-
{Clean Water} - It is Well is a project I'm launching through World Vision. Basically, I want to build a fresh well for those who have no clean water, and therefore suffer from all sorts of diseases, such as worms, parasites, and transferred diseases. The cost is great, but I'm confident with some prayer, that it will come to pass- hopefully by Christmas of this year. If you are interested in donating, I would so appreciate if you clicked the link above to purchase a share of a well- much less than the original price- or anything else that you believe that the L-rd would like you to give. I am so blessed to have clean, fresh water here in America- and so thankful to G-d, for His grace and mercy that know no bounds.
{The Freedom to Worship G-d and Read the Bible!} - A big one! This is why Thanksgiving first occured- when the pilgrims left England to worship G-d in their own way. Can you imagine living and meeting like our brothers and sisters around the world, who have to hide in meeting at 2am, fearful of the next knock on the door? True, G-d does tell us that there will be trials- He basically tells us that if we follow Him, the world will hate us- but there is a reason that we were born in this nation, in the area that we are in, with those friends and fellow servants of G-d that I am "growing up" with.. and, L-rd willing, I will know for the rest of my life. How will I serve Him here and now?
{My Friends} - Here is an example of those G-d sends me to lean on- the two are greater than one. I was laughing with my dear sister Karah the other day as we were ice-skating. On a fairly large skating-rink with many people and lots of cuts in the ice, it's super easy to fall over- unless you're leaning on someone else;) It wasn't as easy as when I was by myself- but when I was skating right next to Karah, I had someone to balance on- same goes for her. I am so blessed by my wonderful friends- those who will stand by me in the truth, and will encourage and pull me up instead of dragging me down. I know that many of them are life-long friends. And even friends via blog, like Melanie, Nela, Kaeleen, and Raquel, among others. I haven't ever met them, yet we talk pretty often, and someday, we will meet, either here on this earth, or in the heavenly realm with our Savior.
{Books} - as well as an education, really. Yes, there are those days when I wonder, "WHY do I have to do math again???" Too often I forget how many children out there would absolutely love an education. And my books- take me away, either to a place I would rather not {but must} go, or to a place of calmness and peace... I can become a missionaryin India {Amy Carmicheal is my "hero"}; a long-lost oraphan; or a princess. It's not good to get away from the real world that much, but sometimes G-d just sends a book or story my way that I don't necessarily want, but I need. I have learned, oh- so much! from Amy Carmichael and Elisabeth Prentiss of Stepping Heavenward. I have learned so much from Elsie Dinsmore and Jane Austen and Les Miserables and Elizabeth Elliot. They are truly a blessing.
{My Blog} - when I first started blogging, I was about thirteen. I blogged about the little things of life... things that I smile at now, and ask, "Did I really say that?!" Believe me, I did:-) I am closer to sixteen than I am fifteen (passed the half-way mark, anyways;); and journeys that G-d has taken me on have taken me by storm. Oh, my goodness! He is refining me... and I am free to call Him my Father, and I am His daughter.
{And, last, but the reason for this whole blog- and post~ Jesus} - He is my Shepherd. He is my hope, my joy, my Savior, and my G-d. My life. He has ordained me and you from the beginning, and given us a future full of promise as a precious stone, broken, but beautiful. And oh, how good He is to me! I have barely scratched the surface of what I am truly blessed and thankful for.
I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving! What are you thankful for?
Article Copyright of Sierra Brewer, 2011.