Thankful.

Tonight, as I sit in the quiet of our home with a beautiful fire, a warm blanket, a comfortable chair, the sweet smells of a day of baking and thoughts of a day with family, tomorrow, I am overwhelmed with thankfulness.

As a young person with intense yearnings for a life like this I don't think that I ever imagined that I would be so blessed.  I invested so much of myself, physically, emotionally and spiritually, in finding someone to really love me that I don't even think I thought about what my future would hold.  And with every 'investment' my inner sense of worthlessness increased and my hope weakened.  And all the while, God was right there with me; loving me, protecting me, longing for me just to turn around.  I had no idea that the one I longed for was right there with me all the time, even in the darkest moments.

I am so very thankful for all of the material blessings of this life God has given me but they are nothing compared to what He has done for me.  He has given me life.  Abundant life!  

He pursued me and wrapped me in His protection for years.  He followed me into ugly places where many others turned away and left me.

He held me each time I fell in my messes.

He called me to Himself even after all I had done.

He gave me new life, made me a new creation, changed me from the inside out.

He has shown me His purpose for my life and He equips me to fulfill it.

He guides me and teaches me through His Word and through His people and by the Spirit within me.

Before I was born and with full knowledge of all I would do against Him, Jesus died for me so that I would be not only forgiven and saved for eternity but also that I could live for Him fully in this life.

I can't imagine my life without God at the center and, at the same time, I will never forget what my life looked like before giving my life to Him.  I don't want to forget because out of those memories comes thankfulness and an intense desire to please Him.

Not only did He do all of these things for me but He has given me an amazing family that, based on human judgment, I so little deserve.  He is a God of extravagant love, boundless grace, extraordinary mercy and endless hope.  

There are so many around me who have never experienced Jesus' amazing love and my heart yearns for them to know Him like I do.  I am so thankful for the hope there is in knowing that He is a patient and persistent God and I know that He will not give up on anyone.  I am living proof of that!

I am thankful from the bottom of my heart and with my whole being.

Psalm 100

A psalm of thanksgiving.

1 Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
2     Worship the Lord with gladness.
    Come before him, singing with joy.
3 Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
    He made us, and we are his.[a]
    We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
    go into his courts with praise.
    Give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good.
    His unfailing love continues forever,
    and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

I need no other....