Thankful Thursday

Today, a couple of thoughts immediately come to mind as I think about what to be thankful for.

• The ability to hear when God speaks. Yesterday was one of "those" days. It started out ok, but by the time I got to work I was just crabby. No nice way of putting it, I was not in a good mood. I told the person I work most closely with (Anne - who is also a dear friend) that I was going to close my door and try to get my attitude straightened out. Recently, I brought a bible to work and put it in my desk. That's where it has stayed. So, I pulled the Bible out and started reading a few verses. Then, I had to get back to work. I usually have internet radio on as background music. All of a sudden, I paused to listen to the tune of an instrumental that was playing - trying to decipher what the song was. "It is well with my soul" - well, that stopped me in my tracks. It sure was not well with my soul at that moment. I began to sing the words to the song (in my head, not out loud or I would have scared all the patients and staff - lol) and suddenly, I felt so much better. God spoke to my soul, giving me peace, helping me to change my attitude. And even though the day didn't improve much, I was able to get through it without the negativity that was so present before. I am so grateful for his soft, tender voice when I take the opportunity to listen.
• Speaking of opportunity, the next thing I am thankful for is the opportunity to trust my heavenly Father. There have been times in my life when I have wondered why God has chosen certain paths for me. As I have walked down them, instead of focusing on God, I have let stress and anxiety overcome me. Recently, I've had a few of those moments (I will probably share more specifics in a different post). But, I am reminded that God holds the future. I have the opportunity to make a conscious choice to trust that HE is in control, not me. Trust that He knows the plans for my life and that if I rely on him, God will reward that faith. Trusting in my Father will draw me closer to Him, calm my fears and questions, and bless my life.

What are you thankful for today??

Thankful Thursday

Today, I am thankful for just that - "today."  I am often guilty of thinking about what the future holds. Not only thinking about it, but stressing about it. I save things for "someday" - waiting for that special occasion. I saw a quote "Life is what happens to us while we are making other plans (Thomas LaMance)." Yep - that about explains it! I'm waiting for graduation so that I can have a "life" again. I'm usually waiting for someday or something to happen. Maybe I am using that as an excuse or barrier. Waiting to start life when I should just be living it.

So today, I am thankful for today! I am thankful that I woke up this morning, that I have a warm and cozy home, that I had a treadmill to get on (yes, even that), thankful that I am having lunch and a shopping date with my mom, thankful that the sun is shining, that my washer and dryer work - even though I don't LOVE doing the laundry, it beats housecleaning so I am also thankful that today my housekeepers are coming.  I am thankful that the sun is shining, that I have 2 sweet kitties who make me smile. I am thankful for a job, thankful for the opportunity to attend college, thankful to live in a free country. I am thankful for children, friends, family. I am thankful for love in my life and a husband that I adore!

I am thankful for our adoption journey. I am thankful that God has asked us to trust in HIM as we hope for a child of our own. I am thankful for others who have traveled this road before us and inspired me with their passion for orphans.

I am thankful for each day that I am given - especially today. It is a day that will be unique, no other day will be exactly the same. What a precious gift - 24 hours, 1440 minutes, 86,400 seconds!  What will you do with your day and what are YOU thankful for today?