Thankful Thursday

I started this week positively, I was so excited about what God was doing. I decided to make sticky notes so I wouldn’t forget all the things that I was thankful for. And then it happened, let me summarize by saying. this week was rough. It’s so easy when you feel attacked, or feel like everything is going wrong to have an ungrateful heart. But in spite of my rough week, I’m going to speak Victory into my day, and praise God for all the wonderful things I have to be thankful for.  The Bible tells us, “Life and death are in the power of the tongue.” Instead of speaking anger, bitterness, and resentment, I’m going to speak gratefulness, love, and joy.

I am extremely thankful to be done with my classes. It will be thirteen years ago in December I felt the call of God on my life to go into ministry. After multiple confirmations, it’s been a desire that is firmly planted in my heart. I originally tried to do it my own way and in my own strength. I went to Bible College when I knew that’s not what God wanted me to do. I tried taking Berean classes, and that didn’t work either. I continued to wrestle with God throughout the years saying, “God I know this is what you want me to do, but how?” I looked into other colleges, but had no peace about them, so I just continued to wait and serve where I was.

Three years ago, I couldn’t take it any longer. I had been wrestling with God about this call for nearly ten years. I said, “Ya know what God?” (Yes I really talk to God like this.) “When You’re ready to show me what to do, I’ll listen. But I’m done trying to figure out what You want me to do. It’s Yours. But could You please show me through Pastor Siegfried because he’s my authority, and say this is what I want you to do.” Immediately I had peace. Wow should have surrendered a lot sooner.

Two weeks later I have a meeting with Pastor, nothing out of the ordinary. At this time I’m already our Girl’s Ministry Coordinator, so meetings with Pastor about how everything was going in ministry was common. Towards the end of the meeting Pastor says to me, “I thought you told me you wanted to be a Children’s Pastor.” (Which there’s another long funny story about how that came about, but I’ll save that for another time). I answered in the affirmative, and he asks, “Well how are you going to do it?”

And I laugh and respond, “I have no idea.”

Then Pastor says, “This is what I want you to do.”

Immediately I stop everything else that I’m thinking about and in my heart say “Yes Lord I’m listening.” Only God can answer our prayers exactly how we pray them. Only God can give us direction in the middle of a desert. Only God can show us the steps we need to take to answer the call he puts in our lives. And I am so grateful, so thankful to be done with the beginning of the process. There is so much more I need to do, and there are so many other steps and directions that need to be gone through. But for now I’m not going to look ahead. I’m going to take time to enjoy this small victory. I’m not going to rush ahead, and lose the heart of thankfulness.

This week I’m thankful for finishing my classes!

I am thankful for 2^nd moms that know when you need a Moe’s day!

I am thankful for my grandparents. They love me and bless me without condition.

I am thankful for all the blessings God has given me:

- my job
- my car
- a place to live
- my church and church family
- my nieces and nephews, who bring a smile to my heart the minute they walk into a room
- my parents who recognize the call on my life, and do everything they can to support me
- my siblings

AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank You Lord!