Abounding Thanks

On Thursday I said that I have so much to be thankful for, and I truly do. I went into this month intent on it being a month of thanks, and through it, I saw just how often I can be thankful for things. I didn't limit myself to one thing to be thankful for a day - that would be contrary to the point - so when I thought of something, I took a moment to be thankful.

Some of the things I thought on are the typical things to list, others things were something I realized I have been taking for granted, others still were things that have been a major blessing or helped shape me into what I am today.

It would have been nice to share something every day, but time doesn't allot for that. Since I haven't done that, what better way is there to close this Month of Thanksgiving than with a list of things I'm thankful for? Therefore...

The following list isn't all-inclusive by any means, nor is it numbered because several things might be of equal standing, but the majority are the things most important to me. Although a note or two beside each one will probably make this a bit long, I just can't let it go without doing so.

• El Shaddai (Almighty God), Jehovah-Elyon (The Living God), The LORD God - The One Who created us even though He knew we would choose to go against Him; Who never fails nor changes but is always triumphant, always just, always true, & always the same; and Who loves us enough to have made the way for us:

• Salvation - There has never and will never be a more precious gift than the one given to us through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. He gave His own life so that those who trust in Him alone would not just know real life on this earth, but that we shall live eternally... with Him!

• His Written Word, the Bible - There are possessions that are important to me (family keepsakes, photo albums, letters), but if everything else had to go (never to be replaced!), my Bible would be the one thing I would hold tight. His Letter can never be read enough that we could exhaust what He has to tell us, nor will the promises therein ever be broken.

• My Family of 7 - What a blessing it is to be part of a loving, Christian family! To have Christian parents who strive to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; a younger brother who is one of my closest friends; little "tag-a-long" siblings who love me even when I am "upset" or "out-of-sorts" (pretty names for what God calls "sin"); and a grandmother who, although suffers with Alzheimer's Disease, can love us still even when other things are forgotten is a marvelous privilege.

• Extended Family - Aunts, uncles, and cousins, those special people I may not see all the time, but whom I still dearly love.

• Friends - When I think of friendship Proverbs 27:17 comes to my mind: "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." Of course, the opposite is true, too - if you keep company with people who are a bad influence, it is as if they dull the countenance of those around them. I'm thankful that my friends are such wonderful people; when I'm around them, I do walk away feeling sharpened, and thankful for the time we had to come together before the Lord. "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20)

• My Church and the Bond of Believers - I'm blessed to be in a church that has God-fearing pastors who preach God's Word as it He has given it to us, and such caring people who give real meaning to the phrase "church family". The bond we have as believers in Christ is such a precious thing, the fellowship between one another is so sweet ... and not only does it apply to those in your church, but it carries over to when you meet other Christians as well.

• Faithful Men & Women - I have known quite a few saints in the Lord in my life who serve as good examples of what it means to live a life devoted to God. Now I have only memories of many of them, but their lives still have left an impact on me today. Their lives are and were sincere and strong in character because they walked closely with the Lord, and thinking of them reminds me of how sweet life can be when my focus remains on Christ and when I am truly thankful to Him no matter what the circumstances.

• Christian Schools (& Christian Homeschools) - Although I finished my schooling by homeschool and my younger two siblings are being homeschooled, too, I'm thankful that I also attended Faith Baptist Christian School for Kindergarten through 8th grade. Christian schools are more than just an alternative to the public schools. They provide a higher education along with, and even more importantly, training in God's Word so that today's young people will have a strong foundation in tomorrow's world. Those same things are true of many Christian homeschools, too.

• Conservative Christian Radio - Christian radio has become an important thing in my life. At our house you don't have to check which station we are tuned into; no doubt, you would see the dial is on our favorite station. WCTS is a wonderful station with staff dedicated to making the station live up to being our "Christian Companion." Their programming is filled with Christ-centered music, Biblical exhortation in preaching, morning and evening Scripture reading, as well as moments throughout the day being devoted to reflecting on verses of Scripture, plus programs for all ages. Based in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, they can be found at 1030 AM on the radio dial in local areas or streaming online at wctsradio.com.

• Being Made in God's Image - What a special thing to be chosen by God Himself to be made in His very own likeness! The list here is limitless to the things we could include. From logic & common sense to creativity & expression, there are so many things that are unique to mankind than all the rest of creation.

• Neighbors - Nice neighbors are something wonderful to have, and we have some very sweet neighbors. Our "Queen of the Hill" (as my mom calls her because she has lived all of her 80+ years here in her house on the hill and seems to have connections with everyone through someone) is caring enough to keep us all informed. Another dear lady is always ready to talk or lend a helping hand. And who would have thought that a backyard neighbor would be the answer to our prayers for stringed instrument lessons, or that we would be the answer to his prayer to find someone with whom to share his talent?!

• Freedom - The freedom in America is unique to America, and I'm so thankful that the forefathers of this nation cared enough about those who would come after them to put laws, such as the Bill of Rights, in place. I'm also thankful for the many who gave their time, effort, & lives to make it so, and the many to then uphold it.

• Christian Literature, Music, & Poetry - In a passage of Scripture, and between two particular verses, about the contrast of unsaved life to new life in Christ is Ephesians 4:23, which says, "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;" Romans 12 also talks about living a life acceptable unto God, where renewing your mind is mentioned once again. Our mind and thoughts are pretty important; indeed, it's a major part of our very beings. So I'm thankful for Christian authors who seek to please God with their writings, who want to strengthen fellow-believers.

• Housing, Clothing, Food, et cetera - As I've gotten older, I realize more and more just how much of a blessing it is to have the basic necessities. When I was younger, I didn't really think of what it would be like not to have these things - and if things were a bit lacking, I still never went without. Looking back, I can see how the Lord as provided! He has promised to provide for our needs in the future, too. And now I am beginning to understand just what a blessing that is.

• Modern Appliances & Luxuries - We don't need many of the things we have, but they sure can make our jobs easier... and how nice it is to have the extra time those useful things "add" to our day! These little things that we often take for granted can be a blessing if we use them wisely.

We all have so much to be thankful for - even life itself! - and there are so many more blessings besides. I hope you truly are thankful to Whom it is due because we could never begin to thank Him enough!

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught,
abounding therein with thanksgiving.
~ Colossians 2:6-7 ~