Sunday, December 2, 2012

Day 32

Don't you love an answered prayer?  Sometimes, does it make you wanna shout Hallelujah?  OK, I have to admit that I'm not really a Hallelujah shoutin' kinda girl, but I've been known to do a happy dance now and then (remember my calendar celebration from last week's post?).  It's so exciting to see God at work not only in our own lives, but also in the lives of others.

Today, a lady from my church shared a story about answered prayer with me.  It was one of those instances where God did immeasurably more.  She was told her request was impossible, and as the lady left the room, she uttered a prayer... and sure enough, her prayer was answered.  She was blown away by God's blessing.  And little did she know, but she was also an answer to one of my prayers.  She offered to donate office supplies to Women's Ministry at our church.  There was one item in particular that I needed for an upcoming retreat... Sharpies.  So, I asked her if she had any Sharpies, and she replied, "I do... I have a whole box of them.  You can have them all.  I also have paper and glue sticks if you need them."  Yep, I needed those items too.  I had just started praying in general over the retreat, and God was already providing for specific needs... things He knew I would need even before I had my supply list made.  It was too much... sometimes I can't even begin to take in all of God's goodness.  He truly does immeasurably more (Ephesians 3:20-21). 

Did you know that "pray continually" is the verse right before "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus"? (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18).  When we utter our thankfulness to God throughout the day, it's like we're praying continually.  Nothing super formal or anything, just random acts of thanksgiving to our God, who is so worthy of our praise.  And while God may not answer our prayers immediately, or in the way we desire, we can be confident that He knows the plans He has for us, plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans for hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).  That alone is a reason to be thankful!

So keep your eyes out for answered prayers.  And make sure to thank God for them... right on the spot or when you do your double take as you write your list out each evening.  God is so good!  May we recognize each blessing and give Him the thanks He deserves.

Tonight, I am thankful for...

1.  Watching the gray clouds float over the peach tinted sky this morning 
2.  Answered prayers
3.  Sharpies, paper and glue sticks on the way
4.  Map app on my iPhone and the blinking blue dot that got this directionally challenged gal to her destination
5.  Heartfelt prayers accompanied by tears
6.  Celebrating swim time improvements
7.  Twisted Peppermint soap
8.  Starbucks Gift Card
9.  Fresh fruit
10.  New people joining the experiment

Here's to 10,000 reasons... Only 6,606 to go...

12 comments:

  1. Thankful for...
    1. Laughing until you have tears rolling down your cheeks
    2. Annual Christmas parties
    3. Goofy white elephant gifts
    4. A night to relax with some "adults"
    5. Becoming closer friends with neighbors
    6. Naps
    7. Watching my boys play with each other
    8. Being moved by God's word
    9. Opportunities to sing
    10. Seeing how much my sisters and mom care
    11. Sweet baby gifts
    12. The hours in the day that my back doesn't hurt
    13. Knowing that pregnancy symptoms don't last forever and are SO worth it
    14. Spinach dip
    15. God hearing our prayers

    Meredith B.

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  2. Thankful for ..
    1. fun afternoon watching our son play basketball with 9 friends from his youth group:)
    2. wonderful evening with 2 other couples that we have been friends with for over 20 years.
    3. my daughter's awesome friendships.
    4. my dear friend Susan and celebrating her birthday with her.
    5. having a neighbor to walk with several mornings a week.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am immensely thankful for
    Every single second I get to spend with my daughter.
    Watching others enjoy spending time with her
    Her emerging quick wit
    Her enormous heart
    Her ability to handle tough situations and disappointments with such grace.
    Her playful nature
    Her love of children
    That GOD loves her more than I could ever imagine
    And that she knows it.
    Pamprin
    Heating pads
    And cuddles while waiting for them to kick in.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am thankful for
    1. Sleeping in because we went to church last night.
    2. Relaxing and reading the newspaper before breakfast.
    3. Having leftover blueberry muffins.
    4. Getting my ironing finished.
    5. Trying a new soup recipe and liking it.
    6. My husband getting all the outside decorations up.
    7. Enjoying the outside decorations.
    8. Hearing that U of L is going to the Sugar Bowl.
    9. Eating popcorn with my husband.
    10. Being able to sit down and read a book.
    Gina

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am thankful for:
    1. Our fireplace getting fixed today.
    2. A great dinner with special friends
    3. Laughter
    4. God reminding me of something important
    5. A fun day at church yesterday
    6. Carrie in so many ways

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am thankful for:
    1. getting my calendar gifts done.
    2. the warm weather which translates to a lower LGE bill.
    3. pistachios...they make my mouth happy.
    4. being able to explain the benefits of making mistakes to my child during homework time.
    5. talking to my Dad last night. I love our w/e phone calls.
    6. being able to laugh (to myself) when customers are rude to me at work.
    7. the memories the pictures from my calendars gave me.
    8. the giddy feeling I get thinking about everyone opening their calendars. Yes, enough about the calendars!
    9. devotion time with my kids before bed.
    10. catching up with a good friend yesterday.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am thankful for...
    1. Getting to church on time
    2. Hanging out in the church nursing room with two great mamas and their awesome boys
    3. Not being in this journey of motherhood alone
    4. My church family
    5. Watching an awesome gal love on my baby boy
    6. A Christmas tree under warranty so the section that doesn't light can be replaced....even if that may take over a week
    7. A simple, partially lit Christmas tree with a beautiful angel on top
    8. Checking things off my to-do list
    9. Laughing as a family while doing nothing
    10. Chicken and biscuits done healthy and delicious
    11. A husband that want to know God more
    12. Christmas books
    13. Hearing my 2 year old talk about Christmas ring Jesus' birthday
    14. Wisdom that can only come from God
    15. Prayers answered and those unanswered

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am thankful for:
    1. Smartcars - I laugh with delight whenever I see one, but I'm too tall to own one
    2. getting a lot of shopping done today
    3. a knowledgable glasses expert
    4. friends who gave me great advice about what to buy my niece and nephew for Christmas
    5. car insurance
    6. Paul's amazing prayer at the end of Ephesians 3.
    7. my daughter's hard work and Power Point skills
    8. Jason Bourne books
    9. Priscilla Shirer's Resolution book
    10. Jesus' Sermon on the Mount
    11. God's unmistakable handprint on a friend's life
    12. shared prayers

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am thankful for:

    a beautiful day for a park trip with friends
    my 4 year old's songs about God that lift my spirit
    thrifting finds
    energy for the day
    personal photo mug gifts for my kids
    God's peace in chaotic moments

    Lisa S.

    ReplyDelete
  10. 1. For feeling refreshed after a great night's sleep last night
    2. For hearing my husband laugh hysterically downstairs right now
    3. That my girls love their Dad so much
    4. For losing some more weight
    5. For roasted bell peppers on the grill(with sea salt yummy)

    LisaD

    ReplyDelete
  11. AmandaL .
    I'M THANKFUL freedom.
    having two cars.
    putting up decorations.
    trusting in God.
    loving my family.

    ReplyDelete
  12. 1. My gift of music
    2. Nash getting to meet everyone at church
    3. An extra pay day
    4. Service opportunities
    5. Getting to enjoy at shower at my house

    ReplyDelete