Hard to believe it was a year ago we celebrated thanksgiving...It has really caught me off guard this year. Not  sure if I am just getting old or time is just moving faster...LOL...I like to believe the latter! As I was pondering that fact that one year has past and thought about all the "things I didn't accomplish" the Lord began dealing with my heart and showing me all the things we did accomplish this year. I am still alive and serving Him, I have returned to my old church and now have a 'home' to worship, praise and fellowship with likeminded believers, I am homeschooling my DD and training her in the ways of the Lord, I have been able to share to my beliefs and convictions with others and some have even softend their hearts once they had understanding, I was able to bless others with egg and hen sales this year, Dh and I were able to work out some major issues in our marriage(pertaining to family), BUT NONE of things were done by ME, they were actually only done by God's strength and HIS AMAZING GRACE....I think in all my years of being a Christian this has been my most trying one...We have truly come through the valley and there were many times I did not think I was going to make it and contemplated just throwing in the towel cause it was to hard, but thats when the Lord picked me up and carried me that last few miles...In my times of weakness He gave me strength, in my times of sorrow he wiped my tears, in my times of despair He gave me joy, in my time of uncontentment He gave me peace, in my time of anger He gave me Love in its place, at my lowest point this year, and feeling like there was no where to turn, He spoke to my heart and embraced me just where I was...I was feeling unworthy, unlovable and like such a miserable failure in all areas, but the Lord picked me up, dusted me off, and set me straight again...I have so much to be thankful for, but I think the number one thing that I am thankful for this year is that I have a Lord, savior and heavenly father that Loves me as I am, accepts me where I am, meets me where I am, and will never leave me even when everyone in my life has....I am thankful for my trials and that through them I grow closer to my Jesus....

If you have struggled this year , please remember that the Lord is right there with you, all you have to do is call upon his precious name and He will come...Give thanks this year that we live in a country and in a time that we can praise God and pray...Give thanks this year, that no matter how steep that hill is or how low that valley goes, HE is still God and still on the Throne and will see you through those trouble waters...He is always there with you even when it seems all hope is gone...Just take the time to begin to Thank Him for all He has done for you even if its small...You will begin to see the big things...Take this next week to litterally count your blessings daily...You will begin to see all the things the Lord does for us...Sometimes we get blindsighted in the midst of trouble, but even then there are still blessings...Get on your knees and give Him thanks.

1 Thessalonians 5:18-- "In everything give thanks for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

In Christ-

~Kris

Thursday, November 15, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Jeannie

I totally agree with your post and thought for a moment whoa is she me, I feel the same way in regards to this past year, I see how much struggle I went through, and I see the blessings the Lord has given me too. I dont think its age maybe per say but WISDOM that GOD bestows that make the time seem to go by quicker.lol

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Saturday, November 17, 2007 - Thank You

Posted by Heidi

I too truly felt like I could have written this. I’ve dealt with trails since I was 13 (family related) but the last 8 years have progressively gotten worse and this last 2 years have just exploded. This Aug. on the week of my birthday, I really hit bottom – to the point of sitting in the bathroom, holding my 1 year old son tight and sobbing. I kept thinking, “My kids need me.” Those moments were a turning point for me. Sometimes I feel like I did die that day, and was re-born, this time with a new view on life. I have always lived for other people and have done everything to make them happy with me. Unfortunately, what I have the most of (Love), they don’t seem to recognize and they expect more from me than I can do. The Lord really worked on me that day, and it’s been easier since. Anyway, I don’t mean to go on and on about me. Thank you for courageously writing this. I know how hard writing these things for others to read can be (I haven’t been able to write this kind of thing in my blog…. ) But it’s nice to know others deal with these things too and eventually there is a LOT of SON and not nearly as many gray days. :o)
Heidi

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Monday, November 19, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by jocelyndixon

Hello! This post was featured in the 25th Homesteading Carnival!
http://www.homesteadblogger.com/Jocelyndixon/76491/
Please stop by and spread the word!

Thanks! and Happy Thanksgiving!
Jocelyn

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