Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Things I'm Thankful For

~ God's love. It's the first thing that comes to mind when I think about what I'm thankful for - which is often. It's absolutely foremost in my mind this year - so much so that I feel like running around, grabbing people by the shoulders and saying, "have you heard? God is love! God loves me!" I've been made aware of His love in a new and bigger way this year, and it's totally indescribably wonderful.

~ Salvation. Mercy. Grace. Forgiveness. All offshoots of the above item, but each one a separate world of delights, full of its own implications and joys.

~ Music - I've fallen deeper in love with it this year. :)

~ Parents who are in love with each other. This means more and more to me, the older I get.

~ Daddy. My leader, protector, and teacher. The one who makes me smile when I'm sad.

~ Mom. The kind of friend every girl should have. Faithful, wise, and constant. Unselfish. And a wonderful person to hang out with and do things with - something I've been doubly thankful for since my older sister has moved out of the house. :)

~ Siblings who are my best friends. Brothers who make me proud, and sisters who fill me with joy.

~ My sister's marriage - it's been a beautiful picture of Christ and His bride.

~ My new brother-in-law. My sister has good tastes. :) ...So does he, come to think of it. :)

~ Our location. I love where I live.

~ The beauty of life. Growing things. Animals. Babies.

~ The opportunities God has given me this year. I've gotten to do so many things I'd only dreamed of doing before.

~ My hands. I love working with them.

~ Books. Words. Language.

~ My Bible. God's Word. Seriously, that dear, precious, book....I owe so much to it.

~ Kind friends. I have so many of them, and they are so kind and unselfish and encouraging and loving that they are continually surprising me; "oh, you mean you are that kind? You mean you care that much? Wow."

~ My church. Our Pastor. God's people. Sweet fellowship.

~ Freedom. Liberty. Such a high cost, and such a exquisite prize!

~ My Dad's job. With so many people unemployed, I'm so thankful Dad's been able to continue working. And my brother has a job too, now.

~ My new (own!) bedroom. Never thought I'd get used to it this fast! :)

~ God's patience. Wow, I don't know what I'd be like without this.

~ Smiles. Singing. Laughter.

~ Sunshine.

~ Plants.

~ Food, and the ability to make things in the kitchen.

~ Love.

~ God's direction.

~ The Holy Spirit.

~ The unshakable assurance of knowing that God finishes what He starts.

~ Trials. Really. I started this year with some very deep, dark times, and they have been the springboard to draw me nearer to God. I'm so thankful for them.

What about you? What are you thankful for?


I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

4 comments:

Rose said...

Amber, I am a friend of a friend of Melanie Anderson.... and saw your link on her blog.
I was blessed by your statement of being thankful for trials.... I too had a long hard time of trial and testing, but my faithful God has showed me that "come sorrow or come joy, may it always be from the Hand of God" anf all things work together, and they work for good, even when we can't see His plan.
So, yes, thank you for being thankful for trials. That blesses me!

~ A Fellow Follower ~ Rose S.

Amber said...

Welcome, Rose! I'm so glad you left a comment! :)

I'm glad you understand what I mean about trials being a blessing. It's amazing, isn't it, that God, in His wisdom, should chose to use trials - of all things - to draw us closer to Him and conform us to His image. No human would have ever thought of a plan like that. He's amazing. :)

Amanda said...

One of the things that I've really come to appreciate this year is technological communication devices. I.E. email, telephones, Internet, etc. I know it sounds weird, but I've been thinking about it and thanking the Lord for it a lot! In these ways we are able to EASILY and QUICKLY keep in touch with those we love, even if they are on the other side of the world!!! Even "snail mail" is SO much faster than it was in the "Little House on the Prairie" days. ;) It's such a blessing to be able to communicate with others!

Amber said...

I agree with you, Amanda!

By the way, I've been thinking of you a lot lately. The music from your Christmas CD has been floating through the house....:) So pretty! :) :)