It’s been a tough week. But there’s always time to hunt up our blessings and be thankful!

 

As always, I am deeply thankful for God’s Word.  So often, if I will just listen, it will save me from heartache, and mend my broken and bruised spirit.  “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7.

All your cares.  Not just the big ones.  Not just the important, life-altering ones.  Not just the problems you can’t figure out.  All of them.  I am so thankful that He cares about all the silly little details of my daily life and struggle.  That I’m not alone trying to potty train my stubborn son (he totally gets that from Mr. Fix-It), or teach the Cowboy his ABC’s, or decide if the Ladybug is old enough to paint her fingernails.

And I’m thankful that God is truthful.  God is Truth.  He doesn’t sugar-coat things, lead me on, or sit on some high distant mountain popping bon-bons and shouting down platitudes about how great everything will be if you just follow Him.  He sent Christ right into the thick of things, into the poorest of the poor areas, into suffering, misery, abandonment, and rejection–all to show us the way.

Why?  Because the way is not easy.  It’s not smooth.  It’s not the wide gate.  “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13-14.

We will struggle.  People will be unkind, unthoughtful, undependable, irresponsible, and even downright hostile (my week in a nutshell).  I am thankful that God does not lie to me or leave me unprepared to face this.  He knows it will happen and He tells to to me straight. These are the kind of verses I use to find difficult to read and understand, but now I get it.  The Lord knows we will suffer, but we’ve got to keep our eye on the prize–heaven.

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trail which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened until you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”  1 Peter 4:12-13.

As Christians, once we get through this life, we get to see Jesus and live forever in heaven.  And it’s going to be great!  We’re going to love it!  We’ll “be glad also with exceeding joy.”

And He knows just how to encourage me.  “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it.” Philippians 1:6.

And here’s another little secret–if you follow God, then He blesses you on earth too.  The more of your cares you lift up to Him, the more chances you give Him to rain blessings down on you.  Here’s what He’s offered me this week to sooth my troubled spirit…

I am thankful for drought-tolerant plants…

I am thankful for aprons and ponytails while “training up” my children…

I am thankful for cowboy boots big enough for a 3 yr old to slip on over his Spiderman pjs when the Cowboy sleeps in until 6:30 am and almost misses out on helping feed up…

And I’m thankful for cameras that help me count all my daily blessings.