Learning to live for HIS glory

It's a little late in the week... But I still want to list the blessings! So this Saturday morning, I'll continue my Thursday's tradition. 5 minutes of thanks. I praise God for: Finals finished and done. Encouraging words. Celebrations. Handwritten notes. Packages. Music. Jesus, the Son sent... Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of peace! His humility in taking on humanity. Time for practical things. Poinsettia's. FaceTiming my sister. Friends. Family and home. Conversation. Little kiddo hugs. Warmth unexpected. Cold returning (feels like December). Strength to endure. Word crafters. Feeling rested. JOY! :)

As I start to review the year and what God has done, January's journal is MIA.  So instead I'm starting with February.  It's been a crazy year, but I'm looking forward to this time spent looking back, and reflecting on what my Savior has done as He continually works to perfect the work He has started in me.  It is my hope and prayer that this peak inside my walk with Him will draw you closer to the Savior and His glorious gospel! 5.   Jesus, You are the Lover of my soul.   You are the Keeper of this heart.   Grant wisdom in relationships I pray.   Thank You for Your love. 6.   I feel…I don’t know, stagnant?   Just kind of ugly, unsure of myself, without direction.   Useless.   I need Your grace today.   Everyday, actually.   I don’t want to just float through life.   I want to live with purpose.   Not shallow, but not so confident to come across as a know it all.   Oh Jesus, I want this life to ...

Days, Months, and Years... They all just fly away. Each moment is but for now, The next it is lost. And I don't want to miss a chance to praise, to thank, to bless Jesus, make my heart pure. Today I pause and thank You for: Your purity bestowed on me. Old journals. Writings. Studying and Straightening up. Conviction. Change in becoming like you. Fresh air to breathe. Walks on the driveway. Back mending slowly, surely. Yarn crafts. Accomplished tasks. Your presence with me. And Lord,  I know I have it, But continue to make me more aware... You are with me. Each moment. Through each struggle. In each joy. Giving peace, Giving grace, Giving joy, Giving love. Emmanuel. I'm thankful for Emmanuel. See, Without You  I'm simply useless. You make beauty from dust and ashes. Emmanuel has come to me. He lives with me. He abides with me, in me, calls me to abide in Him. Joy... Joy... Joy....

It's Thursday... but not just any thursday. Today is Thanksgiving, A day we set aside for the giving of thanks. So I guess today, I should be especially thankful... But why? Why today? Why today more than any other day? I'm thankful it's a reminder to be thankful... But I also don't want to just do that today. I want to practice living a life of thanksgiving. Not just one day a year, But each day of the year. Today is nevertheless,  a special day, One I look forward to, And a great reminder for when I forget... So today, Seeing that it's Thursday... a day I have set aside to remember to practice praise. And it's also Thanksgiving, A day our nation has set aside for counting our blessings, I do praise Jesus for: Time with family. Abundant life. Walks, holding hands. Listening to others lists of thanks. Cool, brisk air. My Savior's life given. Prayer. Carl. Water. Working together i...

Life rushes by Days becoming weeks and months before my eyes I wonder, Will it ever slow? Only Taking moments to be still. Breathe in and out. Soak in beauty, love, joy, sorrow. Remember His presence. Don't. Miss. Today.

All praise be to the Glorious God of heaven and of earth... Today I praise Him for: Life. Safety. Steadfast truth. Answered prayer. The Almighty One's protection. Wisdom given. Opportunities to talk to my sister. Words of life etched in my brain. Humility. Classes and the chance to learn. Time with mom. Praying people. Hot tea. Water. Hope of sunshine tomorrow. Breath. Peace of God for my soul. The ability to feel: both physically and emotionally. Christ.

It's a Thursday night:)  And amidst the craziness of life,  I'm taking 5 minutes to pause, breathe, and thank God for: Breath. Love. Truth. Realness. Conversation. Green. Leaves. Lights. Romance. Decisions. Excitement. Emotion. Struggles. Hard. Good. Perfect. Holiness. Time. Surprises. Language. Variety. Apples. Mom. Prayer. Brother. Sister. Papa. Family. Caring. Honesty. Wrestling. Word. Car. Roads. Sky. Lamps. Friends. Rest. Health. Heart. Faith. Purple. Raw. Grace. Grace. Grace.