A heart of thankfulness!!!

With this being a new year I guess I can say this is a New Year's resolution, but actually this is a life changing resolution. For several months now, I have not been so thankful. I have been totally caught up in myself and my situations to where I couldn't see anything but that. I had let it over take me to the point that I was totally making things much bigger then they really are. Though these things are in my life they don't have to consume my every moment. God is so patient, loving and kind. He is opening my eyes to see more of the big picture of my life.

Through seeking Him in his word and through reading several books God is teaching me things. First and foremost, I am understanding that this life He has given me is not about me. This life He has given me is about Him. Yes, I have heard this a thousand times and I am in agreement with it, but I wasn't walking it out in my life. The best way I can sum this up is from Max Lucado's book, Its Not About Me. In it He says the human job description comes down to this: "Reflect God's Glory". That spoke to the depths of my soul! That is why I am here to reflect God's Glory. I can pretty much say that hasn't been something I have been doing. Also another quote from Max Lucado's book, "When our deepest desire is not the things of God, or a favor from God, but God himself, we cross a threshold." That is my desire to know God himself. To walk with Him intimately. To see the glory of the Lord and to reflect His glory.

The other book that is helping me along is Victoria Osteen's book, Loving Your Life. God has been encouraging me through this book. Allowing it to show me things about myself. That God has placed seeds of greatness on the inside of me. That He has given me gifts and talents. In my months of living in my self pity this has been my question, do I really have any gifts or talents? I kept comparing myself to others around me and I wasn't measuring up. I know God has given me gifts and talents. He doesn't make mistakes. He didn't skip over me and forget to place gifts or talents on the inside of me. He has created me for His purpose and design. I know that He has placed desires in me that will come forth in their due season. He will reveal them in His timing and for His glory!!!

As I was reading last night, God spoke to me about being thankful for where I am. That He sees the big picture. That I need to trust in Him and enjoy the moment. As I thought about that last night and then waking up at 6:20 this morning with the kids I realized that I really needed a change of heart. I need a change of attitude. I need my life to become more God-centered and less self-centered. Here are a few quotes from the book Loving Your life. "I will not be consumed by my challenges. I will stay in faith, focus on the good, and keep the right perspective." "I choose to live this day happy, content, and grateful for what God has given me." I will focus on what I have and not what I don't have. I will dwell on what's right in my life and magnify the good." When things are difficult and I'm tempted to get discouraged, I will remember all the great things God has done in my past." "I recognized I was not created to constantly struggle and endure life. I am making a decision to celebrate each day, to live it to the full, and to enjoy the people in my life.""Everything doesn't have to be perfect before I can enjoy life." With that last quote I would never enjoy life!!! Because things are never going to be perfect on this earth and I won't ever have it all together!

Today I choose to see the good in my life. The blessings God has given me. Not for a moment to take those blessings for granted anymore! I choose to be thankful today. I choose to have an attitude that soars above my circumstances. To trust in my God that He will be faithful and good. He will never leave me or forsake me. To know that He will continue his work in my life until Jesus returns. That each thing brought into my life is to grow my faith in Him and in return He will use me to reflect His glory!!!

In all of that, I thank God for each one of you who read this blog. Thank you for accepting me for who I am. Thank you for being a friend. I am very thankful and grateful that God has blessed us with so many wonderful friends and family!!! God is good and faithful! His blessings are countless! His love endures forever!