Day 7: Miracles

Have you ever prayed for something or someone for years and, while believing that God is fully able to do whatever it is you're asking, it just seems like it won't happen?

Well, I have.  Many times. It can be discouraging.  Sometimes I feel like giving up.

And then, a miracle happens.

I've been praying for God to work in the life of someone I've known for what feels like (and what may actually be) my entire life.  We were never close, but during our childhood and teen years, we were in and out of each others lives more times than I can count. I prayed for him when I was little and a whole lot more when I was a teen. His family has always been part of my life, and I pray for all of them, but this one was special.

Fast forward several (like 8) years, and I've all but lost contact with him.  That's what happens when you add several moves, a spouse (his, obviously) and kids (again, obviously his), and the general craziness of life. I have, however, managed to keep in contact with his parents (thanks, Facebook) and his relatives (who attend my church).  Several things have happened over the last several years that have caused me to pray more diligently for him, and every update I managed to get was less positive than the one before.

Until a few weeks ago.

I found out that he got SAVED!  He finally made the decision to truly give his life to the Lord and surrender to God's plan for his life!

AND, as if that isn't enough, he has completely turned his life around!

AND, in further demonstration of his new-found relationship with his Savior, he followed the Lord in believer's baptism last Sunday!

My friends, for those of you who happen to know Joe,  you have seen first-hand that God is still in the miracle working business.  For those of you who don't know Joe or his family,  you can believe me when I tell you: God STILL works miracles!

I'm so THANKFUL for this entire experience because there are others I'm praying for, and I can't WAIT to see God continue working miracles!  After all, God is STILL in the business of changing lives!

Day 6: Laughter

I've never, that I can recall, taken the time to be thankful for laughter.  I'm sure that deep down, I've been thankful for it before, but to actually take the time to say it?  I don't think so.

So today, I'm thankful for the ability to laugh. To enjoy moments of laughter, to hear others laughing with me.

If there's one thing our family knows how to do, it's laugh.  And eat.  But I'm not talking about eating today, just laughing.

Next time you laugh, take time to be thankful for that simple pleasure.  What a great thing it is to laugh!

Day 5: Good Teeth

This is one I definitely take for granted ALL THE TIME.

I went to the dentist today for my regular six month check-up.  Now, I know that most people detest going to the dentist, but I am not one of those people. I actually enjoy my visits to the dentist.  I get my teeth cleaned by a gentle, careful hygienist, then get my teeth examined by the dentist, who says "beautiful teeth!  Doesn't she just have the most beautiful teeth?!"

So that's probably why I like the dentist.  Because I have healthy, beautiful teeth. Even if they're not straight, like I always wanted them to be, my pearly whites are healthy and beautiful.

And today, I'm choosing to be THANKFUL for this usually unnoticed blessing.

Day 4: Simple Things

Today I'm thankful for two simple things that made my day:

1- Early morning text messaging with my best Helen.  TOTALLY kick started my day!


2-  Distant memories of Sunday School (included in the early morning text missives).

November is great because I get to be thankful for these little things "out loud!"

Day 3: Children's Church

I've been teaching children's church for about three months now, and I LOVE it!  It's been fun to teach the kids about different things we can learn from the characters in the Bible.  I'm using a teacher's book that not only familiarizes the children with some of the key characters, but it also focuses on what we can learn from them.  For instance we learned from Esther how God can make us brave. And from Nehemiah how God can help us do what is right.  And we learned from Joseph that God made us special and has a plan for each of our lives. Daniel taught us that we should pray and obey God. Each character is focused on for a month.

This month, I took a break from the characters, and skipped to the 2nd half of the book that focuses on different things we can learn about Jesus or things in the New Testament.  And, YAY, there is an entire section on.... THANKFULNESS!  So that's what we're learning about this month.

Today, we learned to be thankful that God keeps His promises.  We talked about different verses in the Old Testament that told the people of the coming Messiah, and then we looked at a place in the New Testament where these things came true.  I'm thankful for the opportunity to not only teach the children these truths from God's Word, but to learn them for myself, too!