Thankful... That's Me...!

Hmmm... Well, I normally start out my Fridays with Thanks and Praise. I really try to limit my petitions on Fridays. That's part of my 'Thank God it's Friday' routine. I figure that I'm asking God for things all week long. I can devote at least one day to primarily just thanking and praising him and counting my many undeserved blessings.

First of all, I have something big to be thankful for this morning. I got up early thinking I had to be at a meeting at the Woodlands at 7:30 AM but I just discovered that the meeting is actually tomorrow. So I have an extra hour...! I'm glad I took time to really read my brochure a little closer before I headed out the door this morning...! I'd say that is a blessing...!

I stepped on the scales and my weight is still not down where I want it to be. In fact, I've already gained a pound from last month. That's definitely not the direction I want to go in the health and fitness department. But I can definitely be thankful that I do have an abundance of food at my disposal. Most of the rest of the world doesn't have that luxury. I never have to want for a meal or snack and there are people all over the world in poor countries who are starving right now. My big deal in light of that fact is to try to be a better steward of my body and to not let any food here go to waste.

We just had yet another big car repair bill earlier this week. Thank God that Monica's parents helped us out a little on that one. In fact, they've helped us out a lot lately. Words can not begin to express the gratitude I have to them for helping us. And I know that ultimately their help is God's blessing, too...!

Our baby is developing nicely in Monica's stomach, and Monica is feeling good. She's getting caught up on her art projects and feeling very creative these days. And more people are starting to inquire about commissioning her talents. That's a HUGE blessing. THANK YOU, JESUS....!

I'm blessed with plenty of work, myself. I'm having difficulty keeping up with everything at the moment, but I am keeping my head up above water....! Really, Life is good. God is blessing me far beyond what I deserve...!

After you read this journal I urge you to reflect on your own situation. Even areas that you might consider to be a thorn might not be so bad when compared to what's going on in other parts of the world. Always keep that in mind. If you have your health, if you have someone here that loves you, You are blessed. Jesus loves us. He died for us. There is no greater blessing than that...! And I always like to stand on God's promise that he will never leave us or forsake us...!

It will all work out for good according to God's will. We can't always see that, but it will.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord, I just thank You and praise You for being such a good and mighty and all powerful, infinite God. You have been so good to me, Jesus. Your gift of eternal salvation alone is much more than I deserve, yet You have also blessed me abundantly in many other different ways, too.

Thank you Lord. I want to turn those blessings back to You and be a blessing to others. I pray today that others reading my column today will inspect their own lives and realize that they too are blessed if they live in America. Father, thank You that we live in Freedom. Thank You that we live in safety. Thank You that we live in comfort. Thank You for the personal relationship that You yearn to have with each of us.

Thank You Lord for the Body of Christ, my fellow believers. Thank You for prayer, dear Lord. Where would we be if we couldn't connect to You any time...? Thank You for your promise to never leave us or forsake us. Oh God, You're just an awesome God...!

I love You, Lord. And I give this day to You. I thank You that I have a tennis conference this weekend where I can interact with others in my profession that might not have a relationship with You. Season my words today that I might plant a seed in someone's heart. That's my one petition for the day.

Father God, I Truly Praise You and Glorify Your Name. And in Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.