Thanksgiving

Psalm 100:3 "Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture".

It is 4:00 a.m. and for the many past nights this seems to be the time the Lord awakens me. I wrestle with not getting up and lay there praying for everyone I can think of, but still unable to fall back asleep. So I decided either lay there, or get up and see what the Lord has.

I believe that He wakes me for a purpose, and if I respond with a "here I am" response than it seems to be blessings waiting for me to see.

It has been awhile since I have written, for no other reason than alone thought provoking time. So I guess it is "the early mornings" that will work best for this season of my life.

This is the week of Thanksgiving, and having the week home each day is something I am cherishing more than before. Working in Zach's class everyday has and is a wonderful blessing, but to be honest being up, ready, and out the door every morning by 7:30 has its ups and downs. Especially when it is bitter cold outside and all I would rather do is stay in all snuggled up with a cup of coffee and a good book. But such as at is, I will enjoy this week and prepare my heart for the coming days ahead.

I have been pondering a thought lately as I see, hear all the ideas people have to "help" others during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. I know that there is the Spirit that moves in each one according to His ideas, but I ask myself, "what about the rest of the year"? I mean needs of people are all year long not just at this time of year, and yet it is so easy to get caught up with what I think is the "emotional" part of it, and loose the perspective that come the week after Thanksgiving and Christmas there will still be hurting, lonely, unemployed, homeless people who will wake up with the same needs. Just my thoughts, but I so want to be aware of these needs all year long, and be available in whatever way the Lord would see fit.

I have much to be Thankful for and a heart of gratitude will overflow everyday no matter the circumstances because if I truly believe that the Lord is the Lord of my life and that He knows me better than I know my self, than I will trust Him and be attentive to His voice.

Gratitude is not determined by what my circumstances are. Gratitude is choosing to be Thankful in all circumstances, knowing that the secret to contentment is knowing Christ. Not how much money is in the bank, or how full my cabinets are. But being Thankful that I have power to turn lights on, or propane to have heat. It is when I become presumptuous, relying on what I have and what I might be getting, and than not having that available I tend to loose my focus, but when my focus is on Christ and His sufficiency on my life than I am content and not moved by the changing circumstances.

How is this done, by meeting with Him each and everyday. To have my heart and mind filled with His word, His truths, and His Spirit daily. It is than that I am prepared for His will for my day, not my ideas or my ways. And it is then that I am prepared to receive whatever it is He has for me.

My desire is that I will keep my heart with all diligence and not let the cares, concerns, worry rob me of the joy that comes from walking with Christ. I pray that I will be a reflection of His goodness to everyone I come in contact with, leaving a bit of Jesus as I go about my day.