Grateful

Ann Voskamp posted on her Instagram 

this photo that got me thinking:

How am I changing the world 

because I am so grateful?

The Lord has been so patient and faithful to me.

My whole life is a reflection of it.

He has endured my childish temper tantrums, my avoidance,

my pleads and begs by calmly and lovingly

holding on to me while I squirm and squeal and fight the grip of His arms.

He let me go but I was never out of sight.

He would attempt to console me 

but like a teenager, I would screamed at him

"GO AWAY!"

In the most gentle, warm and sweet voice

He would lovingly assure me that He

would *never* go away.

And He hasn't.  

And I've finally come back to Him.

With a renewed sense of purpose and perspective...

With a greater understanding of who He made me to be...

With a clear vision of His plan and the clarity hindsight brings, 

I understand my Heavenly Father.

So, how am I changing the world
because I am so grateful?

I am becoming a better me, a better woman of the Lord

by learning about God's character through His Word, 

strengthening our relationship.

This will make me a better wife, Biblically submitting to my husband

 and loving this man as he needs to be loved.

This will make me a better mother to this gift of a daughter,

training her up in the way she should go:

a disciple of Christ.

This will make me a better friend, prayerfully engaging and

loving friends and family as Jesus loves me.

This will make me a better member of the community,

no longer tunnel visioned in my own

little world, but eyes open - looking for opportunities to serve.

This will make me open to the Lord's will,

trusting that His purpose will prevail whether I'm on board or not.

And when His will prevails, there are blessings.

I am grateful to The Lord, for The Lord,
because of The Lord.

I am grateful we have a day to stop
and think about the blessings
in our life.

Happy Thanksgiving!