… giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father. (Eph 5:20)
Mondays are for Gratitude. Linking today with Ann’s
Thank You God…
#158 … that I can make plans, have lists, be at point “a” headed toward point “b”. We’re the only creation that plans – except maybe angels. We have fables of ants storing up food and having a plan, and grasshoppers that fail to plan – and then fail. But that’s just fable.
#159 … that you let us share Your traits – this planning thing is just one of many.
#160 … that You don’t need to plan, because You don’t “need” anything. But You do plan, maybe just because of us, You plan. You do make a lot of accommodations for us.
#161 … that even though humanity has seemingly done just abut everything humanly possible to mess up your plan for us – nobody can.
#162 … that the universe, now broken, will one day be fixed.
#163 … that Evil will one day be vanquished forever.
#164 … that those who want to find you, will find you before judgment.
#165 … that Your thoughts really aren’t like our thoughts, and that even though we share traits with You, Your ways not our ways.
#166 … that as high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are Your ways above our ways, and Your thoughts above our thoughts.
#167 … that if I didn’t give you the credit for saying #’s 165, and 166, and even though I added a smidge to it, I don’t think you mind.
#168 … that the reference is IS 55: 8,9 – just sayin’.
#169 … that with all this March Madness going on, I can share this story. You see, I am one of the few people on earth who knows exactly what it’s like to catch the winning touchdown in an NCAA College Championship game. And I’m not talking a video game or pretend, or even crazy.
#170 … that you no doubt are sitting on the edge of your seat to hear the details.
#171 … that I have them to give you.
#172 … that I was a UCLA wide receiver and broke open in the middle of the field on the last play of the game. The ball spiraled toward me. It was too high – out of my reach – but I knew I could make the catch. I leaped like a panther and clutched it out of the air.
#173 … that after landing back on the ground I looked up the field. Four defenders were ahead of me, closing in from the right and left. But I knew I was so fast that if I just ran between them I’d split them and the touchdown was mine. I turned on the speed that only a world class sprinter has – and they were suddenly behind me grasping at air.
#174 … that as time ran out I crossed the goal line. A hundred thousand people erupted in celebration. Not to mention the nation wide television audience.
#175 … that it was one of the best dreams I’ve ever had and almost 20 years later I still remember it vividly.
#176 … that even though it never really happened, even though I never played college football. This dream felt real, and so I really know what this amazing moment would feel like. And let me tell you – it. felt. good.
God bless.
{ 36 comments… read them below or add one }
thank you for grounding even your gratitude in the Word! You put the focus exactly where it belongs- on the Giver!
Who’s really responsible for anything good? If gratitude is not grounded in God – then it’s not big enough. He has to touch every area of my life – this one too. Thank you for reading Kelly, God bless.
A beautiful list! Thank you for sharing!
Thank YOU Erin. Thank you for reading. Thank you for taking the time to comment. And God bless.
Laughing because I was believing the whole dream…my favorite, the dreams that seem so real of when my girls were little and still living at home…just like reliving a moment with them!
Oh I CAN SEE your dream. I know so many moms now – blogging in this community – I know how kids are always your babies – ALWAYS – whether they be 5 or 50. I get the “empty nest” now in a way I never did before. As longs those are nice dreams and make you smile, and not sad, I hope they keep coming in bucketfuls. Thank you for this Elizabeth. Thank you – and God bless you.
#177 – Laughter is good medicine….
Love your sense of humor.
And #160?
Ooohhh…. Yes. Wonderful.
A sense of humor and deep thoughts. A “winning” combination.
Many blessings.
Hey!! Did you just add to my list??? Isn’t that against the rules!! (◠‿◠)
…and I thank God again for #160 – he has done, and continues to do, so much more for us than he has to. Thank you for your kind words. Really. And feel free to add to my lists at any time. God Bless you Dawn.
#165: This! I’m adding this to my list right now. How easy it is to forget it, but how beautiful it is to realize it after trying to live in our ways.
Amen Jenn, you remind me that He has made us in his image – but only one of ever was “the refulgence of His glory, the very imprint of His being, and who sustains all things by His mighty word.” We have some of his traits, Jesus of course had them all. Thank you for reminding me. Our Lord is God. God Bless you today Jenn – and thank you.
#169-176 – – fun, fun, and more fun.
isn’t this life:
and so I really know what this amazing moment would feel like. And let me tell you – it. felt. good.
like it, like it, and like it more
But it did feel good. It was awesome. I remember the confidence and the speed and the crowd – and yes – the pride too – but it was a dream so pride and a little swagger was ok right?
Thank you for being here – and this awesome comment – God bless.
swagger required
How blessed we are that we can share what GOD is doing in our life’s and show thankfulness for each one !! Love your thnkfulness
This thankful list – Ann Voskamp gets all the credit – and God of course for being as excellent as he is – and I’m thankful for you too – for reading – thanks – and God bless.
Wonderful list! And you had me going there about the winning touchdown thing for a while there! 😉
Oh yes, my former days of glory – what a football player I was – for all of about 25 seconds – football careers can be notoriously short
Thank you for reading Jamie.
God bless you.
that the universe, now broken, will be fixed!!! Amen and my heart rejoices with you!
Amen Stephanie – everything is broken – it’s why bad stuff happens to not so bad people – I’d say good – but – well – you know. God bless you Stephanie, and thank you for being here. thank you.
Craig,
LOVE Isaiah 55:8,9!
This TRUTH certainly has been borne out in my lived experience.
Also, LOVE, that His word does NOT return to Him empty. No! His word accomplishes what He desires, and achieves the purpose for which He sends it forth.
Please let me extend to you an open invitation to myHeart: Not my Own…
StephieDee
Amen Stephie – All the context around those verses is magnificent. God Bless you – and thank you.
You are funny! Loved the football story. And especially loved 162 and 163.
It WASN”T a story – it was real – just inside my head – but real:) And amen – all is broken – everything is broken – evil is all around – but all will be fixed – and Evil will be gone. Amen – thank you. God bless you and yours Christina.
Thank you for your thank you’s . . .the touching ones and the funny ones. Now I’m thankful for the joy and smiles I got from reading here . . .going to add it to my list!
God bless you and each joyous day with Him!
And you – I’m thankful for you too – and the smiles I get when you read my words. God bless you Deb.
That those who want to find Him, will. It has to do a little bit with the letting go of the other day, doesn’t it? And with the passion of our whole heart.
You got me, too, with that football story, for a bit there….)
Hey. Laska the love kitty talks and writes actual posts – and that’s me in the picture above – and I’m stickin’ to it. Maybe I’m fibbing – maybe it wasn’t a dream…
i du talk – an it wuz a dreem – sily huminz
laska the love kity ^.^
Laska is pretty sharp-he has us all figured’ for sure!
An tell Laska I am waitin’ for him to climb back up on that keyboard…even though I know it wears Kreg out when he does.
This just made my whole day! OK! So I’m a sucker and believed the whole thing! It was almost as good as your dream just reading it. Seriously, though, I kinda know what you are talking about. I had the dream once of being a great pianist and playing in front of a big audience! It’s true about knowing what the feeling is. It was great!
I loved #160. That God doesn’t need a plan — even when I mess up my plans, or what I thought were HIS plans — but tells me that He has made a plan for me and that its a good plan.
Thanks for making my so-so evening into a really great one!!!
About #160, I was thinking universal and global – and you made it personal. THAT is how I learn – I read what’s down here – wisdom flies around my comment section like fireflies in Summer. And I heart this, “even when I mess up my plans, or what I thought were HIS plans — He tells me that He has made a plan for me and that its a good plan.”
Thank you Cora.
And From a world class athlete, to a world class pianist – Grace and peace (◠‿◠)
I am still laughing! I believed you right up until #175. 😉
#161 is my favorite though…what a reassurance! No matter what happens, it never surprises Him. He never says, “Oh no! Foiled again!”
Also, I am a few weeks behind in this – my plans ARE often foiled (loved #158 too!)- but I wanted to thank you for the kind words you left on my first ever gratitude post. So, thank you! It made my day.
#175 ƪ(◠‿◠)╯hee
And AMEN!!!! God never says, “Oh no! Foiled again!” – funny – and true – thank you for that!! And thank you for reading – and God bless you Jennifer.
stopped in to say thanks for stopping by ~ and have to add thanks for the laugh. i love college football – it was why i chose the college i did (high and lofty reasons, ya know)… so i enjoyed your “in your head” reality!
blessings ~
It really was awesome catching that pass – and all those fans. Ahhhh dreams….
Thank you much for stopping by – and blessings to you too Richelle.