Monday, October 31, 2011

Thankful Heart

It's not officially November yet, but I am feeling the need to be purposefully grateful.  It's too easy to get caught up in feeling sick and overwhelmed.  Yesterday, our pastor, Francis Anfuso, taught about being aware and accountable of the areas in our life where the enemy can easily strike us and bring us down. As we prayed and asked the Holy Spirit to show us these areas, I quickly saw that the enemy can just whisper, "what if you never get well?" and I start to quiver.  Yet, I know who holds the future and He is trustworthy!  I need to keep running back to Him and fixing my heart on Him.  One way I have found to combat the fear of the future and focus my gaze back on He who is worthy of it, is gratitude.
Last week, my my four year old son didn't want to say his prayers at bedtime.  And I didn't want to force him since prayer is a heart issue, but I did want to emphasize the importance of prayer.  I asked him, "What if, when you wake up tomorrow, the only things you have are the things that you thanked God for today?"  He thought for a moment and then prayed, "Dear God, thank you for everything. Amen."
So, this Monday morning, I am thankful for:

A Leap Frog Movie that bought me 20 minutes of extra rest
A hot cup of coffee
A date with my hubby in the midst of the craziness
A mom who is willing to make the date possible
Oatmeal, a quick, easy breakfast for the kids with no guilt residue
Two sweet children that enjoy playing together
And of course, Grace - to do what I can, even when it's not all that I "should"

What are you grateful for today?

1 comment:

  1. I am thankful for the knowledge, and the power to believe the knowledge, that I am in Christ, at the right hand of the Father.
    I am thankful that my life is over, and a new, sinless life has begun to grow inside my heart, and for the sacred, holy knowledge of it.
    I am thankful that I have a family that loves me.
    I am thankful for healthy foods.
    I am thankful for how good God is.
    I am thankful for Gods faithfulness in giving me what I truly need, and not what I ask for.
    I am thankful for the things that pin down my old man and expose his pride, his sinfulness...and most of all, I am thankful that with God, we are at a wonderful beginning...event hough in the world we come to a terrible ending.
    Oh great, THANKS Melissa! Now I cold be here all morning!!!!
    I am thankful for friends that are willing to share their heart authentically.
    I am thankful for faith, hope and love.
    I am thankful for my weaknesses.
    I am thankful for my trials.
    I am thankful that I can cry.
    I am thankful for my failures.
    I am thankful for starting to understand His heart, and to share in His sufferings.
    I am thankful the timing of my life is up to Him, and not me.
    I am thankful that His pan is perfect.
    I am thankful for humor.
    I am thankful to know His kindness.
    I am thankful to finally lay my old man down, the fight is over...I lost.
    I am thankful for His life in me...He won.
    I am thankful for toys.
    I am thankful for humility.
    I am thankful for God's undying love for me, and everyone.
    I am thankful for gentleness.
    I am thankful for earthly nature.
    I am thankful for heavenly nature.
    I am thankful for trials I fail that reveal my sinfulness.
    I am thankful for trials I pass that reveal His goodness in me.
    I am thankful that He is in me, and that He does not condemn me, and that He is my sinlessness, He is my righteousness, He is my life, He is my peace, He is my food, my drink, He is my victory over this world. I am so thankful now for all the ways I kept failing in this world....I am thankful that I am not of this world.
    I am thankful for GRACE!
    Lt's take it to another place...What is Christ in us thankful for?
    I'm thankful for the cross.
    I'm thankful I could reveal my Father's love to the world.
    I'm thankful for everything my father has made.
    I'm thankful for my bride.
    I'm thankful for my father.
    I'm thankful anytime anyone talks to me.
    I'm thankful for resurrection.
    I'm thankful to be in my father.
    I'm thankful for my fathers splendor.
    I'm thankful for my father's majesty.
    I'm thankful for being a servant.
    I'm thankful to be hidden from this world.
    I'm thankful whenever my father reveals my presence to my bride.
    I'm thankful for my bride, and the promise of what is to come.
    I'm thankful to be what my father is.
    I am thankful for you.

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