Tag Archives: thankfulness

Jan8

DAY 8 (2015)

Posted on January 8, 2015 by lsgrlr

Just like unexpected snow in Spring. Life can throw us curve balls. When that happens we either take a swing or get hit.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

Today we had a blizzard, in Buffalo and I was not expecting it. Why? Because this morning when I drove to work it was bright and sunny, cold but not a cloud in sight. Now I am going to tell you a story about a God who sees and knows and who puts His plans in action in a such a way that blows our minds. I was hired for my job two months before I actually started working, I didn’t start working till November. In August I tired making an appointment for my mom to see a doctor before work started, however, I was unsuccessful. The earliest appointment I could get was for January (yeah, crazy I know). So in August I made an appointment for January 8th, for my mom to see her doctors. On Monday I requested to leave early to take her to her appointment. Today when I walked out to my car and saw that the snow, I was freaked out (can’t lie). But as I was driving home I realized that God knew that it was going to snow today. He also knew that it was it would be easier and safer for me to drive when the sun was out than it would be to maneuver the slick roads in the dark. He planned my safe journey home almost five months prior. I am blown away, that He cares about me that much. The irony I was so irritated at how far out the appointment I was, that I had actually thought of cancelling it, but I didn’t and today I understood why. Here’s the truth even when we don’t realize it God’s at work, and He uses even the most normal of circumstances to bring about His miracles.

“The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 3:18).

So what am I thankful for today? A God who plans ahead. 😀

Jan7

DAY 7 (2015)

Posted on January 7, 2015 by lsgrlr

Standard

Don’t worry about what’s to come. Instead let God’s peace fall like snow.

Mmmm… almost forgot to post today. it was a long day, not a bad one by any stretch of the imagination, just long. This morning it snowed really bad and I was nervous about driving. But my awesome brother gave me an out when he offered to take me if I didn’t want to drive. So at 7 am I called him, woke him up and asked if his offer was still good, and it was. Yes!!! The drive was beautiful, but that is not my point of thankfulness. No, today I want to thank God for a brother who doesn’t mind getting up at seven am to take his sister to work. Even although he didn’t have to go to work. Life is lonely if we try to travel it alone. Lonely travelers are easy prey and fall quickly to the schemes of the enemy. But when we have a companion we have accountability and friendship. So thanks Jon for taking me to work, and thanks God for giving me a brother that didn’t complain about being woken up.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor” (Ecclesiastes 4:9).

So what am I thankful for today? Companions on the journey.

Jan6

DAY 6 (2015)

Posted on January 6, 2015 by lsgrlr

Standard

So true!

Today we got a raise at work thanks to the state of New York. New York raised the minimum wage and thus the company I work for gave all the employees a cost of living raise. I was so blessed because while I get paid well, it has been a tight lately it took me a while to find a job when I first moved here, so I blew through my savings paying bills. When I finally started to work, I started at a deficit so to speak. I prayed asking God for financial wisdom and He placed me in a company that rewards hard work, so getting promoted is not a struggle, but then today was an extra blessing that I just didn’t see come. Here’s what I realized: God hears and He understands and in His time he gives us just the right answer.

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20).

So what am I thankful for today? A God who hears and answers.

Jan5

DAY 5 (2015)

Posted on January 5, 2015 by lsgrlr

Standard

As we grew each lesson helps us make better choices the next time around… learn the lesson.

Today I woke up to my car door frozen shut. Ice on my windshield and 13 degree temperatures. Yup, it was cold, really, really cold… still is. But I also woke up to clear blue skies, and brisk refreshing air. The fact that God allowed me to wake up at all is a blessing in itself. Today work didn’t go as planned. I am still learning to navigate a system that I have never used before, but today I was better at the job than I was last week. Today I felt more confident in what I was doing than I had previously. Today is when it hit, that life is a lesson and we are all called to learn and grow. Everyday whatever trials we are going through will get a little easier to bear, a little easier to handle as we learn to navigate better. Who I am today, is not who I was this time last year (and that is a blessing). Today I feel like someone standing at the beginning, surveying the horizon and realizing that I can do and become anything I want as long as God is my guide. Today I am a billion percent thankful for the lessons I have learned and for the hardships I had to go through in order to learn them. Here’s the thing: lessons and hardships will always be there, but we have a choice, learn the lessons so we can grow to the next steps, or, don’t learn and stay right were we are… The choice is ours to make, that’s what free will is all about. Choose wisely.

“But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15).

So what am I thankful for today? Learning to make wise choices.

Jan3

DAY 3 (2015)

Posted on January 3, 2015 by lsgrlr

Standard

God the ultimate artist

So today I discovered a new thing… something that I am sure other people who live in cold weather knew existed. But I have recently discovered is real, today it rained… ice. Yup, ice. I couldn’t help but laugh at the sight, because living in Florida I had never been privy to this great mystery. Freezing rain is actually really pretty, as it coats all that comes in contact with it in a layer of ice. I couldn’t help but thank God for His awesome creativity, who but God could make it rain ice, heck who but God could make it rain at all. I love that God is so infinite that we even now we are still discovering new parts of His character, new beauty in the world He has created for us. I am thankful for freezing rain, for days when the trees are coated with white snow. I am thankful for sunshine and slow breezy days. Because everyday is a picture of God’s love for us. Everyday is a chance to be grateful for what we do have and not focus on what we don’t.

“For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm” (Palm 33:9).

So what am I thankful for today? Ice rain and a creative God.

Jan2

DAY 2 (2015)

Posted on January 2, 2015 by lsgrlr

Standard

Fill in the blank…

I am actually kind of in shock that it is already a new year. It feels as though 2015 just crept up on me out of now where. For some parts of 2014 I really struggled and that struggled kept me somewhat anchored in place. Then God (literally) picked me up and moved me. I fought it for a bit, because although I was struggling, I understood the struggle. It was both uncomfortable and comforting (not sure if I am explaining it properly), it was as though I was so use to the struggle that I didn’t know anything else. When I moved it was a shock to my system, because I had to learn a new place, learn a different culture, (believe me Buffalo is a way different culture from Florida), the odd part was this… even though it was a shock, and even though it was different, it felt like coming home. Today in my quiet time, God answered the why. When we do what God wants us to do, it will always feel like home; even if we fall, even if we make mistakes, even if the obedience isn’t immediately rewarded. The goal of obedience is not the reward (of course it is nice). The goal of obedience is to grow in our relationship with God, and as we grow closer to Him the rewards come. Just for the record I am not talking money or fame. No, I am talking about peace, the peace of knowing that no matter what happens God is still on the throne, and He still loves us and has a plan for us. So on this, the second day of a new year know this: if your year didn’t start out the way you wanted or expected, it’s okay God loves you, He is still on the throne, and He has a plan for you that will knock your socks off. Happy Day 2!!!!

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 23:11).

So what am I thankful for today? That God has a plan, that He loves me, and that He is still on the throne.

Jan1

DAY 1 (2015)

Posted on January 1, 2015 by lsgrlr

Standard

It’s a new year and in all honesty, at this moment the phrase, “the sky’s the limit” is one hundred percent true. On this day what ever happened ‘last’ year does not matter and does not count, because the when clock struck midnight on this new year, God gave us all the chance at a do-over. In light of that, I have decided to rejoin my journey of thankfulness. To once again every day find a reason to be thankful no matter how big or small the blessing may be. Last year I was not consistent with my DAY posts, and I found that my personal and spiritual life also felt somewhat inconsistent. So my goal for this year is to regain my consistency. Not just in posting, but in my life as I journey toward heaven with Christ as my guide. I hope you will all journey with me.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then He said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true'” (Revelation 21:5).

So what am I thankful for today: A new year filled with boundless opportunity.

Dec28

DAY 362 (2014)

Posted on December 28, 2014 by lsgrlr

Standard

Let God direct our path…expect miracles EVERY day.

I have forgotten A LOT. I have let the troubles of this world, of this life drown out what I KNOW to be true. What I KNOW to be right. Which is: “As Your love in wave after wave crashes over me. You are for me, you are not against me. Champion of heaven You have made a way for ALL to enter IN.” This song reminded me today of several truths that I had forgotten, maybe forgotten is wrong… more like pushed aside, sitting in the farthest realms of my mind, instead of front and center. I had forgotten that God’s love flows over me like the waves of the sea, in countless ways and in abundance. I had forgotten that He is FOR me. He is NOT against me. I had forgotten that He is the CHAMPION of heaven, and that He has made a way for ALL to enter IN. Life is crushing, in that it makes us many times push aside what we know to be true to be right, leaving us grappling to hold on to things that will ultimately cause us to sink. In our forgetfulness we shake our fists at God and ponder why He left us. When in truth is He is still were WE left Him. His love still willing to wash over us in waves of abundance. He is still for us, even when we wonder, even when we fall short… He is NEVER against us. He is ALWAYS for us. He is still the CHAMPION sent from heaven. He still has the door open for us to ENTER IN.

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).

The Lesson: Don’t forget to remember… GOD IS FOR US.

Dec18

DAY 352 (2014)

Posted on December 18, 2014 by lsgrlr

Standard

So true!

So it’s been a while since I have written a “DAY” post. There are many reasons for this: Life, worry, fear, laziness. Right about know you’re thinking those are perfect reason to write a post that reminds me that God loves me and has a plan and a purpose for me. It is in the moments that life is the hardest that we realize our need for God’s grace and love. Today as I spent time in devotion God showed me that not only are those times a time of realizing Him, but it is also a classroom. It is the place we learn about about ourselves, our limits, and our desperation. Today I ran into an issue that I was not expecting… I dislike those moments, because I make a plan and I walk towards it, and then… BAM, out of nowhere something happens that I was neither planning for nor prepared for. Those moments, stink… can’t lie. Normally the plan of attack is to by-pass God (cause we’re am smart like that) and go straight to desperation. It is almost as if we think, “what bad decision can I make to fix this“. Today I have to be honest, the first option was desperation, but God in his ultimate wisdom slammed the door shut. This caused me to take a step back, pray, and ask Him to show me “the option that wouldn’t make the situation worse”. Then He did. What makes me sad is that it wasn’t my first option. My first thought wasn’t God what do you want me to do? Today I am disappointed to announce that my first thought was NOT take it to God. However, He loves me enough to get me to where I need to be. He led me to a solution that would fix the issue, but not make it worse. In fact it made it better in some ways, because it taught me a lot about someone I love (to that person.. THANK YOU). Life throws us curve balls, sometimes it feels like they’re all that’s being thrown. However, don’t despise the curve balls, take it to God. He’ll teach us how to catch them.

“But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears” (Psalm 18:6).

The lesson: God first (yup it’s that simple) 🙂

Nov11

DAY 314 (2014)

Posted on November 11, 2014 by lsgrlr

Standard

We make our plans, but God directs our path. Let Him be your journey’s guide.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

So I am about to tell you a God story. as you read the events you are going to think to yourself, “Clearly this girl does not have a good handle on the meaning of God story”. But follow me, I promise I have a point. Yesterday my mom and I went out for a bit. In the middle of our travels a light came on in my car. The light was a warning that my tire pressure was low. I did not have any idea how to put air in my tires (my boyfriend normally takes care of my car issues). I called Sears and they told me they could do it for free. So, today my mom and I went to Sears to have the tire pressure fixed. Since we were out and the weather in Western New York was unseasonably warm we decided to get a couple frosties from Wendy’s. I had a couple free coupons and decided today was as good a day as any to use them. We drove to Wendy’s, I pull out the coupons and begin reading (checking the fine print), at the same time I pull the key out of the ignition and lay it on my console. I then get out of my car, hit the lock button, them shut my door. The moment the door went CLICK, something in my brain also went CLICK… I quickly started yelling at my mom, “Don’t shut your door! Don’t shut yo…” CLICK! Awww man! Yup, being the genius that I am I had locked the keys in the car. *sigh* :/ . Then I remembered that my boyfriend had given my mom the spare key to the car (even from Florida he knew). However, home was 3 miles away. Yesterday the temperature here in Buffalo was 44 degrees, today the weather was 67 degrees. It was a beautiful day for a walk. So my mom and I made the 3 mile walk home, as we walked we realized what a blessing it was that today was such a gorgeous day. We thanked God for the exercise. We thanked God for the fresh air and the great conversation. Almost forgetting what had started us on this trek in the first place. We reached home retrieved the keys, and made the same trek back to the car (I am always surprised that the return trip always seems shorter). It dawned on us that neither of us were angry about the key in the car. We both thanked God for giving my boyfriend the foresight to give my mom the key to being with. We thanked God for free air in the tires. Once back in the Wendy’s parking lot I opened the door and retrieved my keys. Then we went inside to claim our prize… ice cream never tasted so good 😉 . What’s the point? Today should have been cold, but it was beautiful. Today I enjoyed free ice cream and free tire service. Not to mention I got my 10, 000 steps in. I enjoyed a beautiful day outside with my mother (who loves to walk by the way). The point: God takes care of us even if on this journey we lock our keys in the car of life.

“Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you” (Genesis 28:15).

The Lesson: If life locks you outside. Go for a walk, enjoy the day.