Giving Thanks.

Taking a moment on this Thanksgiving morning to write a brief ‘thankful’ blog post.

Why? Because I need a minute… I need to stop in the midst of the “busy” and be thankful.

I tend to complain a lot, especially in this season of my life. I am taking on about 10 different things at a time and I constantly feel like I’m about to drown. My people that deal with me on a daily basis hear me complain and whine way more than I would like to admit (thank God for their constant love/patience).

This Thanksgiving is a little different in several ways. This year, my life isn’t pausing for the holiday. As a grad school student, life rarely pauses at all anymore. (I mean, this morning, I got up early to do…homework. What in the world!!) So I wanted to take a minute to purposefully pause and give thanks to the Lord for (A FEW of) the amazing things I have going on in my life right now, even if they feel like spinning plates sometimes.

First, I have been meditating all week on how AMAZING the Lord is. I am so thankful that He has been with me every single step of the way my whole entire life. We hear this concept all the time, but to sit and just really think about how He has been with you through it ALL will take your breath away. He has loved me when I was unlovable, He has had patience with me when I purposefully walked away from Him time and time again, and He has held me in moments where I could not walk. Oh, what a Savior! I could go on and on about the wondrous ways He has, is, and will work in my life, but I will just say that I am so thankful for this personal, intimate God we serve. Y’all, I truly could not do life without Him.

Second: family. Both blood and ‘made’. I have learned that family isn’t always just the people you are actually related to. I have been so so blessed to have such an amazing, huge family. Even through the rough times, I know that they will always be there for me and support me.

Third: my boyfriend. I could go on and on about how God’s grace has been made evident through every single step of our relationship, but for lack of time I will refrain (for now).  I am so thankful for Mason and who he is. I am also so thankful that God said “no” to a lot of my prayers in the past… I get it now Lord, and I will be forever grateful.

Fourth: my friends. I cannot even begin to explain how thankful I am for all of the friends I have in my life. They have seen the worst of me, yet they love me anyway. There is something so special about God placing people in your life at the very moment you need them.

Fifth: my church family. I have learned the importance of this especially within the last year. As a believer, it is necessary to have a support group of other believers who are there whenever you need them. People who pray it out with/for you, listen to you, and are the hands and feet of Christ. I definitely have that and I am so thankful for each of these individuals.

Sixth, and my last one for today: opportunity. I have so many amazing opportunities in my life right now. These are often the things I complain about the most, but I am so thankful for the chance to have them. I have school, two jobs, a side bit of photography, and two ministry opportunities that I am a part of. The opportunity to further my education is such a blessing even though it is very difficult. I am so thankful that God provided these areas within my life and that this season teaches me to lean on Him even more than before.

So, this Thanksgiving, even though I will be constantly thinking about the assignments I have to do, the photos I need to edit, the work I need to get done etc., I am determined to continuously realign my focus on God, from whom all blessings flow. I am determined to look at the people/circumstances around me with a heart full of gratitude. God is so so so good to me, and I have done absolutely nothing to deserve it.

I will leave you with this verse because today, it is applicable in more than one way. 😉

“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”

-Psalm 34:8 ESV

Happy Thanksgiving Y’all!!