Thankfulness

This morning I was praying about things bothering me within my family that morning. After a while I felt God whisper to my heart- focus on what you are thankful for...

My heart was in a bind and I thought...that sounds difficult or impossible. I can't think of anything right now. I actually prayed God help me think of something.

And my mind went first to something a friend had said to me who struggled greatly with a husband not supportive of her faith- you are lucky your husband is a Christian.

And then my mind went to where I might have ended up if God hadn't saved me and intervened in my life at the time he did.  I thought there was a good chance the way I was headed I may have ended up a drug addict, in a physically abusive marriage, and have lost my children to foster homes.

And then I thought, I have my children.  I get to care for them- give them meals, clothe them, help them, reassure them when they are hurt or sick.  I get to know how they are going each day.

I know a friend who was separated from her children from a time, and it was all these things she longed to be able to do.

Sometimes a great starting place to stir up thankfulness is what we don't have to deal with because of Gods grace to us.  It puts what we do have to deal with in perspective.  It also helps us realize that we have blessings we take for granted, such as...

"God, I thank you that I don't have the pain of grief because my children are starving.  (I can feel lighter about the pain of the complaints that their food isn't 'right' or there is no desert tonight)."

If your heart is feeling a bit stale and you're having trouble stirring up thankfulness- try thinking in reverse...what if...what if God had not been on my side...

I love this Psalm.

"What if the Lord had not been on our side?

Let all Israel repeat:

What is the Lord had not been on our side

 when people attacked us?

They would have swallowed us alive

 in their burning anger.

The waters would have engulfed us;

 a torrent would have overwhelmed us.

Yes, the raging waters of their fury

 would have overwhelmed our very lives.

Praise the Lord,

who did not let their teeth tear us apart!

We escaped like a bird from a hunters trap.

The trap is broken, and we are free!

Our help is from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth."

 Psalm 124 (NLT)

What if the Lord had not been on your side?  Can you imagine the possibilities of what might have happened in the time past since you were saved?  

If you are reading this and you haven't given your life over to the Lord yet, know that he has in store so much more for you to be thankful for- he wants to refresh your weary heart, to free you, to have you know the love he has for you.  Ask Jesus to forgive your sins and come into your life right now. He is longing for a relationship with you, his son or daughter.  He wants to be a part of your life.  He promises to never leave you or forsake you. Trust him!  

Please please please comment and bless me hearing your story of how God has delivered you from 'almost certain' future trouble, if God had not been on your side... And please let me know if you are just trusting in Jesus for the first time so I can be happy with you!