As I sit here, filled to the brim - no! overflowing - with good things, I am driven to thanksgiving. I can't help but remember, in a moment like this, all the times that He's been faithful. His mercies are indeed new every morning. Even when I am tired; even when laid low; even when remorseful and prostrate over my sin... still, in the midst of my never ending shortcomings... He is faithful. And I cannot help but fall to my knees in thanks and praise for the endless blessings He has bestowed on my life.
Let me briefly count the ways.
I am blessed with a strong, Christ-centered church and daily opportunities for ministry. I am blessed (perennially!) with a strong Christ-centered family who every day encourage me and spur me on toward love and good deeds. (It doesn't get much better than that, does it?) I am blessed by the opportunity to go to school (yes, it is a blessing) and study one of my favorite things - Spanish. I am blessed by all of you every day... my friends who have encouraged and supported me in so many, many ways. I wish, friends, I could tell you just how much.
And then, of course, there are things like these....
my second home...
carne asada...
.... Team Caborca...
Days like this....
Sunday nights. Random phone calls. Good conversations. Music. Worship. Old Testament Survey. Tia. Learning Spanish. RE-learning Spanish. Sunsets. Stars. Learning truth. Swing dancing! 4 hour nights. Italian modules. Movie nights. Antique stores. Books worth reading. Moments worth waiting for. Growing relationships. Searching the Scriptures. Sweet hours of prayer. Proclaiming the Gospel of salvation! The Valley and the Height. Singing old hymns. Cranberry bliss bars. Surprise parties. Finals. Much needed sleep. For even those moments that try the soul.
(Note: all of the above and so much more.)
Now here comes the best part.
And then, amidst it all, above everything else, first and fore-most... there is the unchanging, unwavering, continual faithfulness of God. What beautiful truth! It ever calls me to rejoice. There are His great promises that never fail... even in our weakness. There is His Word - double-edged sword and faithful guide - and His great mercy that never fails.
I have seen, in this past year, so much of His goodness. I have seen Him work in hard hearts. I have seen Him use a group of tired, hot, and weary people to make His glorious name known. I have seen Him prove faithful in every trial I have encountered.
While in Him confiding, I cannot but rejoice.
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My God is true each morn anew
He leads me that I shall not fall,
Wherefore to Him I leave it all.
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Oh, and by the way....
I have discovered anew the beauty of hymns. A ministry through Christ Community Church in Tennessee called "Indelible Grace" has been "recovering" hymns... taking amazing old lyrics and giving them new life. Immerse yourself in prayer, then in Scripture... then immerse yourself in these. Matthew Smith, Derek Webb, Sandra McCracken, and Mr. Haseltine (lead singer of Jars of Clay) are just a few among the group of artists who have been collaborating on this project. Great stuff. I recommend them to any and all.
And yes, they ARE from Tennessee, so a few of their renditions are a bit "country" for my taste... but the lyrics remain the same. With titles like "Whate'er my God Ordains is Right" and "My Lord, I Did Not Choose Thee"... I am more than willing to overlook slight taste preferences.
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