A Graceful Reminder
This is the final week for the Give Thanks series. As I think about what I want to share this week, it's hard to focus on one particular thing. I have seen God's faithfulness in all areas of my life. As my friends have shared these past few weeks, I, too, convey the same thankfulness. I can't help but identify with each of their thoughts.
I am thankful that God is glorified through my struggles, as my friend Erin shared in An Enduring Gratefulness. When someone can express gratitude that God uses those things as tools to bless others, it is indeed the work of God! It gives purpose to life, to being, to living. He provides us with a voice to declare His faithfulness, mercies, grace, and love. He opens our eyes to see beyond ourselves to bring glory to His name. If you desire to use the tools, He will come through. "For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him -Philippians 2:13."
As my friend Callie shared in Exceeding Expectations, I am also thankful for God's peace as we trust His plans. We release our need to be in control of what happens and where life will lead us. What I have found fascinating about releasing control is expectancy is better than expectation. There is a slight difference. I've had to put this into practice myself. But think about it this way, expectancy is hope in God- what He wills, and regarding it with a grateful heart. The expectation is hope in yourself, hope in your strength. God exceeds our expectations.
And last week, in This Little Light of Mine, my friend Gaby shared about being thankful for solid, anchored people in her life. I, too, am very thankful for this! Life has a way of beating you down. Without the right people in your life, it's hard to brush off and keep going. Before long, the same baggage is beating you down again. How we love to be self-sufficient, sadly, it's a lie we believe to be a strength. We are not meant to walk this journey of faith alone. It is exhausting and often lonely. People need me just as much as I need people. And it's the truth about you too. We see this example in the life of Jesus and of the disciples as followers of Christ. Nobody did it alone; alone is when satan comes to deceive.
God has been gracious, and I am thankful for God's faithfulness. While life can be so distracting, He is always available. I love something that is said at our church often, God you are already here, and now I am here with you, too. I love that! It's a gentle, "hey Carmen, get your mind back on acknowledging that Jesus is here with you." He is always there- at church, at home, at work, at the store, in traffic, while you're trying to talk to your child (without losing it) calmly, all those moments, He is there. I am the one who disconnects and needs to remember it constantly. He remains the same; nothing about Him changes. While we live in a world of uncertainty and change, He remains timeless.
My hope with this "Give Thanks" series is that I can inspire you to see God in all areas of your life. And that's why I write and share because I want to help you see His faithfulness. It's why I invite my friends to share as well. I want to show you that He works in different ways through my stories and those of the guest writers; who so courageously share and open up about what they have seen God do in their lives. I'm thankful for them and for so many other people who inspire me to do this. Don't underestimate what God is doing and can do in your life.