Thank You God

Today I am just simply thankful. I jotted down a quick list of things that I am thankful for and by doing so, I easily forgot about anything else that seemed problematic, or momentarily needful.
graphic from art.com
40 Things That I am Thankful For

1. The genuine hugs and kisses of a certain 6 year old.
2. The genuine hugs and kisses of a certain 8 year old.
3. That today is Thursday and a certain 8 yr olds turn to cook dinner
4. The unexpected phone call I received Tuesday, January 15 at exactly 8:55 am that was such an amazing blessing to me!
5. The fact that I even though I work, I have my own office, and when I need to I can close my door and pray and read my bible.
6. That I have access to the Almighty Father
7. That sees me as his daughter
8. He talks to me
9. He listens to me
10. The fact that there is a cross for me to leave my burdens at and a Christ that wants them.
11. That I have been delivered!!!
12. That I can love my enemies and those who spitefully misuse me
13. That all of my family is still alive, well, and healthy
14. I am not in Iraq as I could be
15. My brother and sister are not in Iraq as they could be
16. I am no longer in an abusive relationship
17. I lived to tell about it
18. My mom who drove over 90 miles today to fill in for me at my daughters Honors Assembly
19. That my daughter received Honors Awards in school
20. I've never gone hungry
21. I've never had to sacrifice integrity to take care of my family and God has given me the strength to be both mommy and daddy.
22. I've never been homeless
23. I've never had to tell my child we had no food
24. God's protection over my family
25. That my children saved my life
26. That my children make me laugh
27. That my children are here to make me cry, scream, and yell
28. That I have hope
29. I have the light of Christ in my life
30. That no one can blow it out
31. That God is God, and not man
32. That he loved me when I didn't love me
33. That he taught me how to love me
34. That I have no problem waking up and going to sleep alone
35. That God allowed me to find the wonderful sanctuary of blogging!
36. I have victory over the devil
37. That my bible is my instruction book
38. I know the power of a child's unconditional love
39. That I know the power of a mother's love
40. That God has and is going to change my life exceedingly abundantly above above all that I ask or think according to his power that worketh within me!

Be Blessed and Stay Encouraged- smfg

It Is Well

My new blogging sister Rosheeda at A New Beginnings had this song posted on her blog the other day, and I have not been able to get it out of my mind. I am in an experience right now where I just have to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord ( Exodus 14:13) . When everything is over and has passed, I just want this song to be my living testimony. I hope it encourages you as it has me today. Thanks Rosheeda!

It Is Well...

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,When sorrows like sea billows roll;Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,It is well, with my soul,It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,Let this blessed assurance control,That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
It is well, with my soul,It is well, with my soul,It is well, it is well, with my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!My sin, not in part but the whole,Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
It is well, with my soul,It is well, with my soul,It is well, it is well, with my soul.
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,Even so, it is well with my soul.It is well, with my soul,It is well, with my soul,It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Be Blessed and Stay Encouraged-smfg

It Is Better To Give

Today God blessed me to be able to do something that I had been told I couldn't do in the past, and just accepted that I could never do it. Today, I donated blood for the first time!! I know it may seem like a little thing, but for me it was a big blessing. Long ago when I tried I was told that my low iron, and my being below the weight guidelines would make me ineligible to be a donor. That coupled with my needle phobia always served as the perfect excuse for me to run the other way whenever there was a Blood Drive . But in light of my post yesterday, I just decided that I was going to refocus my life and try new things. My boss is a die hard Red Cross supporter, and today 30 minutes before our blood drive was to end, he asked if I were going to at least go try.... How could I say no to at least trying? So I walked over, answered my questions, and before I knew it one painless needle stick later I donated my first bag of blood. I feel good, and I thank God for allowing me to physically enjoy this experience.