Learning to live for HIS glory

The day is nearly gone, but a new one awaits me after a night of sleep...and even in just that simple sentence I have much to thank the Lord for!   It's Thursday!  The day I pause for 5 minutes to make a list of blessings... good gifts the Lord has graciously given!  So... Sleep. My bed. Strength for the tasks of the day. God's grace. Truth in spoken reminders. Papa...God sure did bless me with a wonderful father! Sweet conversations. Rich, deep friendships. Life, and the chance to live it for Jesus. An awareness of how God is at work. Seeing answered prayer. Packages in the mail. Good books. Rest. My window seat. My Bible. My journal. Written out prayers. pens. Hair ties. Hugs. Eggs in the fridge. Words. Poetry. Raspberry smoothies. Time to be with others. Lightning bugs dancing in the fields. What are you thankful for, my friend?

I've had three months building this habit now...and it's become a habit I absolutely love! Praise is good for the soul. Giving thanks is helpful for my focus. Rejoicing always is God's will for me, and His will is good! So here we go, #ThankfulThursday list number 14. :) Today I'd like to praise God for: The fact that He loves me. 5th and 6th grade girls. Handwritten notes. Helpful customer service representatives. Seeing answered prayer in action. Beautiful smiles. God's grace in the really hard moments. Humble men. Surrendered hearts. Packages:) Good fun with friends. Old journals. New journals. Quotes of wise men and women. Elisabeth Elliot. Food and the energy it gives. Real, honest communication. Life!

It's Thursday, friends, so you get a little peak into my prayer life As I praise God for His many blessings. Jesus, thank you for... being God, for being bigger than me. I'm so grateful that You love me the way You do. You prove that love so faithfully, In little and big ways. Thank You! You give me friends who make me laugh after hard days, Little girl snuggles, Words of blessing and encouragement from people who care about me, Health...the ability to walk and talk. You truly are a good God!  The Giver of every good and perfect gift. Thank You for... Friends, Family, Fireflies, Phone calls, Faith, I praise You for... Life, Love, Light, Hugs, Hands, Harmonies, Grace. Amen.

I've found that in the middle of the craziness of life, it's all too easy to forget to praise Jesus for all His goodness, all His grace, all His blessings...and so that's why #thankfulthursday.   I want to make a practice of remembering that all good gifts truly do come from above, "coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." (James 1:17) With all that He has done for me, the least I can do is remember to praise Him! So without further adieu, this week, I praise Jesus for: His love. Grace and patience extended by others. His character reflected in the lives of those who believe in His name. Joy inexpressible. Studying God's Word. Marveling over the truths revealed in Scripture with others. Prayer. God's perfect and sovereign plan. Eyes. Walks on which I discover new things. My mom. Care expressed. His gift of sleep. Good talks, good friends, good God. Abundant life! ...