Thanksgiving

I am thankful...

That I have never been beaten
That I have a Dad who loves me and never came home drunk, never hit me
For parents that love me with all of their hearts
For heat in the winter
That my house smells good
That I can take a shower everyday
That I have always had enough money
That I was fortunate enough to graduate middle school, high school, and college
That I have always had enough food to eat
That the Lord Jesus has always given me reasons to praise Him, given me hope and is faithful
For all the people God has used to love me, encourage me and support me throughout my life
That I serve a God who loves me, who knew my name before their was time, who is worthy of all of my praise
That I have more clothes than I need
That I can go out to eat if I want to
That I have never had to take care of 5 brothers and sisters who looked to me as their mom

As I take some time to think of the girls that I love here, I wonder what their list of things to be thankful for might say. Part of me thinks they would think of some of the same things I am thankful for... their families, for food, their homes... and another part of me thinks they wouldn't know what I say. I just think of the world view I have, the experiences I have had and the life that the Lord has given me and continues to give me and I am thankful, so thankful. I am thankful that the Lord loves these girls more than I can imagine and has a plan for each of their lives.

I have been listening to this song by Selah over and over again for the past two weeks and I can't get enough of it. I desire to follow the Lord and give him all of my praise.

I will follow you through green pastures and sing hallelujah to your name,
I will follow you through dark disaster and sing hallelujah through the pain,
Even in the shadow of death I will praise you,
Even in the valleys I will say

Holy, My God, You are worthy of all my praise,
Holy, My God, You are worthy of all my praise,
You are worthy of all my praise

You are seated on your throne in heaven and you see all of us down here,
You have promised you will not abandon,
so I shall not fear

Holy, My God, You are worthy of all my praise,
Holy, My God, You are worthy of all my praise,
You are worthy of all my praise


You made every star and you taught it how to shine,
You knew my name before there was time,
all this is just part of your glorious design,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah


When I give up, God will give me everything I've ever longed for.