Thankful, Day Sixty-Eight

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!

Serve the Lord with gladness;

Come before His presence with thanksgiving.

Know that the Lord, He is God;

It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves.

We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

And into His courts with praise.

Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

For the Lord is good;

His mercy is everlasting,

And His truth endures to all generations.

Psalm 100, NKJV

Just so that you know that my life isn't sunshine and daisies every day when I blog...

I got too little sleep last night, and not because I was up late on the phone.

Rosie & Sam woke me up too many times during my short night, and when I finally put them out, they started barking their heads off two hours before I was supposed to get up, so I had to bring them inside. I'm guessing shock-collars are in their future.

Dreaming wasn't bad, but I was restless throughout.

My new, 5-year guaranteed pillow is almost flat after less than a month.

There's alot on my mind, things that I can't solve and want to fix, and God keeps telling me to leave it alone because He's taking care of things. And I think He knows what He's doing, but I'd sure like to help.

I'm preaching a message this morning that needs to be heard everywhere in this town, and less than 30 people will ever know I preached it.

My house has been on the market for nearly a year with no offers. I really need it to sell, and then I need a huge financial miracle to get me the rest of the way to where I need to be.

Things are not bad in my life. In fact, all things considered, things are pretty good. But it's not perfect. Sure. I have a house to call home. I have a comfortable bed to sleep in, with new pillows plus all the old ones, and 600-thread-count sheets. There's a roast with potatoes and carrots in the crockpot for lunch. People are going to meet me at church for a couple hours of fellowship with God and each other, and then someone (I don't know who yet) is going to come over to share my roast with potatoes and carrots. I'm going to take a nap this afternoon, and perhaps spend some time with friends. And somewhere along the way, I will probably lose a game of Scrabble to the most wonderful woman in the world and enjoy an evening of playful banter and deep conversation. All in all, not bad.

I just wanted you to know that even as I rejoice and give thanks and express gladness and gratitude, that not everything is perfect in my life. Not all is a bed of roses. I still have difficult days, difficult times, difficult circumstances. But I am thankful that I serve a great God who is on the throne watching out for me and working on my behalf! I have Jesus as my friend and savior, the Holy Spirit as my indwelling comforter, the Bible as my all sufficient guide, the church as my companion. I have the three things that will always remain--faith, hope, and love. I truly have the things I need, and God has promised so much more in this life and in the one to come.

So of course I am thankful this morning!

Thank you Lord for another day to draw breath and see you do great things!

Thank you Lord for much more grace, mercy, and favor than I could earn or ever deserve!

Thank you Lord for the good things in life that you have blessed me with!

I offer you my sincerest thanksgiving and gratitude this morning, and hope to have more to thank you for before this day is through. You know my needs, my requests, and my cares...and whatever you do about them, I know you will do well!