Pages

Monday, January 16, 2012

That Which Has Been Given

I know you've heard the quote, "What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday."  The amount of people, relationships and things we have, that we take for granted is staggering.  If we woke up tomorrow without them, we would be struck with the reality of how really blessed we are.  This past year has been one of growth and transition for me; spiritually, physically and emotionally.  Along the journey I was sometimes tempted to groan and complain about circumstances that seemed beyond my control.  In the process, I wasn't always thankful for the gifts I have been given and the grace that has been poured out on me.

As I move towards the new places and faces that God is leading me to this year, my heart's desire is to remain steadfastly grateful and thankful for what I've been given.  I'm being stretched and pruned and shaped into a vessel that God will use, if I allow Him.  He has placed the people in my life that will help me become that vessel.  And I, in turn, will bump up against others and help shape them!  All the while, being grateful for the growth, despite the growing pains.

As I look back at the questions I had for God about the whys and the hows, I can clearly see that He was really in control the whole time.  I just lacked the faith and the vision to realize how He was moving in my life.  I will rest in faith and hope, knowing that He gives me the grace to move forward as He directs and guides my path.  All the while, I will be ever aware of what I have to be thankful for.  This will be a year of giving praise and honor to the One who has given me much.

So, I continue to be thankful for:

121.  A husband who continually does his best to be the man God has created him to be; who cherishes me and encourages me to shine!


122.  The unborn grandson who will make his presence in the world known, in March.  I'm so thankful that God has formed him perfectly in his mother's womb and He is designing him to be a blessing to all who will know him.



123.  The people God has brought into my life who bless me continually with their friendship and support and love!  Without these people, my life would seem empty and dull.  They add color and depth to the tapestry of my life!


124.  A church and pastor who believe in doing life together!!  They not only teach, but they walk through the yuck and the stuff and the joys with our community!  We love doing life together at Sanctuary Tulsa.

125.  The creativity that God has put in me.  For years I struggled with having enough confidence in who He created me to be.  I argued with Him and others that I did not have the gifts and talents that are in me.  Now, I acknowledge them, I am grateful for them and I nurture them.

Won't you join me in contemplating all that you have to be grateful for and take note if you've remembered to thank God for it?

I will continue to journey with Ann Voskamp over at A Holy Experience as she shares her own and others reasons to be thankful!  Won't you join us there?




From His lap,

22 comments:

  1. Such a beautiful list of gifts from Him. May He continue to fill your life with joy and blessings!

    Alida

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love these and thank you for your reminder of thankfulness! As for me:
    1. I am thankful that God loves me unconditionally and that I am the apple of His eye. I can rest in His love knowing I am safe and secure in His strong and precious arms.

    2. I am thankful for my husband who seeks the Lord and works so hard to provide for his family. He puts us first and cherishes us with all his heart and it shows!

    3. I am thankful for Grace that I can live this life with my head held high by HIM, the one who gave it to me so graciously.

    4. I am thankful for my family that God has placed in my life. It is a privilege to serve them and call them my own.

    5. I am thankful for work that allows me to use the skills that God gave me for His glory. I am thankful that I am in full-time ministry regardless of where I get my paycheck. I am on His mission and am thankful he provides for me so I can touch the lives of others for His glory.

    6. I am thankful for my friends, like YOU who inspire me and make my life whole and complete!

    Dianne

    ReplyDelete
  3. beautiful reminders, Erin! Every night my husband and i alternate praying b4 bed. every night we are so thankful that God sustained us by His Word. Thankful for the gift of each other, our children, our home. Thankful daily for the salvation we have in Christ Jesus our Lord. Thankful for each of our friends. we are even thankful when things are hard, as He is faithfully using those times to refine us. We are even thankful for our dogs :)
    (and of course, i am thankful for the bloggy-world)

    ReplyDelete
  4. beautiful, erin. you continually lift my spirit with your words. i loved your photos - especially the "chopsticks" one. you are gorgeous.
    i don't really have a set resolution this year. i want to take each day at a time and live for each day...not for each year.
    last year taught me to truly appreciate the smallest of things. bc they really are what matters at the end of the day.

    i'm thankful for wonderful women like you in my life <3
    have a wonderful week!
    xoxo
    maria

    ReplyDelete
  5. Erin, this really speaks to me. This week I'm realizing how much God orchestrated (every tiny detail) of my life and my passion for writing to bring me to the point of being able to call myself a Christian Author. I simply stand in awe of Him , and of His work in my life.

    Hugs to you my sweet sister in Chist,
    Rosann

    ReplyDelete
  6. Alida,
    Thank you so much for stopping by. I post my list every Monday. God has blessed me so much!
    ~Erin

    ReplyDelete
  7. Dianne,
    That is a wonderful list to be thankful for!! I'm so glad that you and I do life together! You are one the people I'm most grateful for!
    Love you!
    ~Erin

    ReplyDelete
  8. Jeanette,
    What a great idea! I love how you and your hubby remember to be thankful. And you are so right about being grateful for the hard things. They prune and mould us! I am grateful for the bloggy world as well!
    Thanks you so much for stopping by!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

    ReplyDelete
  9. Maria,
    You did walk a tough road year last year and I believe that God was with you every step of the way. You are so much stronger in your faith now! You just take this year as it comes and watch God bless you!! You surely bless me!
    xo,
    ~Erin

    ReplyDelete
  10. Rosann,
    Oh my dear, you are such a gifted writer!! The Lord uses you mightily to bless people through your writing. He will continue to do a great work in your live and in your family!
    I love you, sister!
    ~Erin

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm glad you are finding the confidence to use your creativity. That is a journey I am on now.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Another beautiful post Erin! Congratulations on your grandson-to-be. What a tremendous blessing! You know, I always get chills when I read your blogs. Literally... goosebumps. God uses you to reach right into our hearts and touch us. I can always feel His presence when I read your blog. You truly do have an amazing gift!

    Love in Christ,
    Jenn :-)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Shanda,
    It's a scary journey, huh?! You are gifted and talented and I can't wait to see how God uses you.
    xo,
    ~Erin

    ReplyDelete
  14. Having Fun!,
    Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

    ReplyDelete
  15. Jenn,
    When I read your blog, I get such a good laugh! You know how to see the humor in life and share it with others. Thank you for such kind words.
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

    ReplyDelete
  16. So glad that I stopped by today-- it's a great reminder to be thankful for all the people that are in your life. Sometimes its hard and sometimes you forget but it's great to have something like this to bring you back to what matters most

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is a beautiful post! Congrats on your grand baby to be! And 125. So to me so much! I have to take this challenge too! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Kate,
    I'm so glad that you stopped by! I hope that this post blessed you!
    ~Erin

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thomasina,
    Yes, that self confidence thing has always been an issue with me. But the Lord is helping me overcome it! I'm glad that you're going to take the challenge!
    xo,
    ~Erin

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thanks for another great post. The place else may just anyone get that kind of info in such a perfect means of writing? I have a presentation subsequent week, and I am at the search for such info.
    Rugged Ridge 15104.27 Recovery Kit

    ReplyDelete
  21. This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I've joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your great post. Also, I've shared your web site in my social networks!
    !#: Sorel Women's Helen Of Tundra Boot... The Cheapest

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for giving us a little nugget of truth from your heart!

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...