What Are We Thankful For

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17 NIV

Good Morning Girlfriends:

What a glorious day it is to praise the Lord, to thank Him for everything He is to us. Each morning as I am waking I can hear the sweet little songs of birds chirping outside my window, I like to think that they are singing "Songs of Praise" for living to see a brand new day, as they have awaken to see another dawn.

My daughter, grandson and I was invited to go for a drive with a friend of mine into the city for a day out and to make a few needed stops. As we were driving along, my grandson was filling the air with his sweet little chatter, the sun was shining down on us heating up the vehicle, and the array of beauty was all around us as we took in the sights of the changing of the leaves in all their splendor.

The drive went quickly as we were engaged in conversation of some of the things that we have experienced throughout our lives, and how we made it through. You know, this statement is so true more than we realize, "never judge a book by it's cover," you truly do not know what people have been through in their lives and yet they still stand, do you know what I mean?

Arriving at our destination at where my friend was going to pick out a new pair of reading glasses, my daughter and I went into this cute little boutique just up the street to look at all of the fabulous things we new we were going to see. Walls and racks were lined with all the new fall colors of clothing that of course would catch a girls eyes, soft plaids, furry and fuzzy sweaters were there for us to run our fingers over. My grandson jumped over into my arms so that his mama could have a turn with free arms to browse at a few things. Being a squiggly little fellow and wanting down to run around, we had decided it may be time to make out exit to see if my friend found some new glasses.

Our next stop was at a wonderful second hand store, where their proceeds go to people who are in hospice care. This was going to be a tricky store to bring a busy boy into, as we walked through the front doors, shelves lined with crystals and expensive dishes met our arrival, so off to the back I took this little one to find some toys to occupy him so his mama could browse around. Quickly he spotted a little monkey that he bent over to look into its eyes, smiling at the monkey he picked it up and carried around the area in the back of the store as he greeted several ladies with a little "Hi" and a wave.

Our next stop was for a bite to eat, but it didn't take long for the little man to eat and get tired of sitting in the high chair, so down he went to explore the empty restaurant to see what he could see, with this "Mimi" right behind. Having a busy little one doesn't give a mama much time to rest and do things for herself, and now with another little one coming along, it will be much less, so I was helping her by giving her some free time.

Girlfriends, there are so many things we can be thankful for, all we have to do is stop and think of a few things and name them off. This "Mimi" is thankful for her Heavenly Father who gives life, and who have given me five wonderful, beautiful children, ten beautiful grandchildren and one more on the way. God is the one who gives us the breath as we wake up each morning, so why wouldn't we want to give Him praise and thank Him for that new day.

Yesterday was a wonderful day to have the opportunity to spend with a friend and family, my daughter and I were blessed by being chauffeured around from store to store, my daughter felt blessed because she was able to get out for a drive, have free hands to look at things without having to wonder what her little man was doing, and my friend was thankful to have some people to go along for the drive with her. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 also tells us to give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Even though I didn't have any money to spend because of my banking situation, I was still thankful to have such great people to spend a day with, and my friend offered to buy my lunch, so how wonderful was that.

We as God's people need to praise Him more, thank Him more for who He is to us and for all of the many things He has done for us and brought us through during hard times (Colossians 4:2), we truly are a blessed people, read Prov. 22:9 and Prov. 11:25-26. The greatest gift that we have to be thankful for is Salvation, Ephesians 2:8 says it this way, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." Remember girlfriends, that every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)

We have so many things to be thankful for, so as we wake up each morning, we should be able to make a mental list of these things as we start our daily routine, and I'm sure the list will be bigger thank what we had thought. Remember Psalm 7:17, "I will give thanks to the LORD because of His righteousness; I will sing praises of the name of the LORD Most High." Let Psalms 34:1 be who you are each and every day, "I will extol the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips." Amen!

Let's Pray,

Father God, I lift up the holy name of Jesus as I glorify your holy name in praise and thanks. Lord, you have given us another beautiful day to look upon and behold. Lord, help us from this day forward to focus on all the things that we do have, all the things that we can do and not the opposite. Lord let us always be a grateful people, and see the blessings in life that are all around us every day. Lord, let us have a grateful heart just to be be alive at this time, and to be a part of another fall harvest, a harvest of souls that are coming into the kingdom. We thank you and praise you for who you are and we give thanks to you that you never change and that you are a faithful, loving God. Lord, you sent your son Jesus to die on the cross, and that love was and still is extended for all mankind that will receive this precious and dear gift of salvation. Let your holy presence rest on those who have not yet accepted you, let them feel your presence all around them right now, as your overwhelming love envelopes them and the receive your wonderful gift of salvation in the Mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Be blessed sweet girlfriends and pass the blessings on. Thank you for passing this message on in Jesus name.