A Time to GiveThanks #2

This year I have many things to give thanks for. Some of which I am more thankful for this year than I have been in years past. Friends. Family. A roof over my head. All of these things have changed drastically since last Thanksgiving, and it has brought a new understanding to my life of who values me and believe in who God has created me to be. I am far from perfect, let me assure you. Yet I have to say that Who I serve is perfect, despite my imperfections. His love is never ending and unconditional. He is not the Father who beats His child when it does wrong, or scolds her when she does not understand. No, instead He gently speaks to His children a reminder of who they are in Him and who He really is. I have a great respect for my Heavenly Father. There have been times when I felt He was too silent for desperate times in my life. Other times that caused me to rush to Him in anguish because my heart was breaking. But Thanksgiving is a time to look back and reflect on the past year, nay, to look back on life and truly realize that no matter what each of us have been through, there is always a reason to be thankful.  My closest friends and family are people that I have only met within the past year and been able to get close to in that same time frame. We have gone through sickness, depression, job loss, a fallen economy AND survived an election where all of us were split on who to vote for. Many other issues have arisen and been conquered through the power of unconditional love, the power of prayer and true friendship. Truly, when I am asked what I am thankful for, my first answer has been friends. They have been there and walked me through a time in life I never thought would occur the way it has. Lifted up by prayer and encouragement on all sides, they were even willing to step up to the point of personal sacrifice where it would inconvenience them for the sake of me in my need. My heart has cried out in wonder and amazement at the people God has placed in my life. We are an odd bunch, no doubt. Between a firefighter, two detention officers, a preacher in training and an amazing worship leader/city secretary, my crew has been an amazing blessing from God. There have been others who have been silent prayer warriors for me as well, sending messages of encouragement and prayers when I needed them most. Still others who have provided a welcome comic relief in a time of great hurt, and another who is just great to talk to about life. I couldn't possibly list them all with full credit. I will never be able to express my deep debt I owe to each for their concern and grace. I can only say thanks, and hope they understand. As my time in the states draws to an end, at least for the next six months, I look forward to knowing what is going to be next. What great adventure does God have planned for me? Last year was the best I have ever had. Hong Kong. Mission outreach. New friends from around the world. Oh the joy of stepping across the border to The land of my heart, the most beautiful place in the world, filled with those Christ desires to minister to and show His love to. Nothing could have ever prepared me for the feelings of unworthiness to serve, or even worse, inadequacies that I felt even deeper. Despite finally feeling as if I had come home in Hong Kong and the peace that settled in my heart, struggles still abounded in my hear and mind. These struggles did not stop as I returned home, a different person, but confused as to what life would hold to me as I battled with issues as they came. This year has been long....many lessons I have learned, many stories I could tell. However, most importantly, this Thanksgiving has reminded me to give thanks. Even for the hell we all must walk through in life. In the end, we should always remember to count our blessings and realize that what we go through can either make us or break us. I intend on it making me even stronger. I refuse to stay down in the dirt of disgust and the air of agony. Shame, regret and past hurts have no part in my future. So instead I look ahead, to the place I have been called. If there are those who cannot understand, then I must shake off the dust and carryon. If there are those who continue to hurt me, then I also just shake it off and continue on. If there are those who do not believe in me and where I am going and why, then I again must shake and break loose of the shackles that bind me and fly free to wherever God leads. I desire only to leave a legacy worth dying for, to make a difference that my Heavenly Father is proud of. I know that wherever I walk, He is with me. My friends are with me. The prayers, support and encouragement go with me. I cling to that knowledge, even when the funds are not there. Even when hard decisions must be made. Even when I'm hurt. For we walk by faith and not by sight, and this I know for certain~ This is a time to give thanks. Thank you. ~*~Leave a Legacy that will Make a Difference in the World Around You.~*~