This month a lot of people write what they are thankful for. A lot of these lists are really touching and I really like to see into each person's life by seeing what makes them happy and what makes them thankful. So I decided I was going to make a list of what I was thankful for. I started with family and friends and then proceeded to add my house, job, school, health and on and on. But when I came to it, just putting "God" didn't seem to do it for me. I mean, how can you put so much of your life in one little word? Just adding "God" to my list didn't even begin to cover all the reasons I am thankful for Him. So I thought I would make a complete list just for God. He deserves so much more than a simple word on a list. And really, this list that I made still doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of what He has done in my life. But, I'll still share it here with you so that you can get a glimpse of what my amazing God is like.
I'm thankful because God is faithful. I am so unfaithful. There have been so many things that I have put before God. Maybe unintentionally, or maybe something that really was good. But it got in God's way. I have tried to run after other things, but I always end up coming back to Him. I'm thankful that He doesn't do that with me.
I'm thankful because God is just. He hates sin. I sin. But He loves me enough to correct me. Even though it's not fun at the time, I'm thankful that God cares about me enough to turn me around. He wants me to keep walking with Him. And when I get turned around, He doesn't let me do my own thing but He brings me back to Himself.
I'm thankful because God is loving. He died for you because He loves you. Period. It wasn't "He died for you because you are awesome" or "He died for you because you deserved it" or even "He died for you because He knew you could repay Him". No! We are nothing, yet He sees us as everything. We are a leaf in the wind, yet He sees us as a priceless treasure. We see ourselves as worthless, but He sees us as something to die for. He loved us so He died, and He'll love us for eternity.
I'm thankful because God is my rock. He is my strength. He is my stronghold. I remember nights that I have been so heartbroken or confused that I have just cried out to God. He heard me. He hears me. He hears you! Whenever I fall I will always have Someone to fall on. He is the One that will help me through every trial, every tribulation and though it will be hard, He will never leave my side.
I'm thankful because God is all knowing. He knows my secrets, my fears, my dreams, my failures, my heart, my thoughts and my all. Yet He loves me the same. He knows what is on my mind, what's keeping my up at night and what's making me lose focus doing school. He is there to help me through it all. Am I willing to ask for His help?
I'm thankful because God is unfailing. I fail so often. People fail me. I fail myself. Yet there's always One that won't fail. We can go to Him and He won't make fun, tease, gripe, put down, belittle, get angry, hurt us or even smirk. He won't let us down. My God isn't a God that will go back on His word. He promises to never leave us and help us through it all. And He will.
I'm thankful because God is forgiving. We all mess up. I definitely have. But I've learned that no matter what we do, we can always run to God. I've been blackened by sin. Filthy. But whenever I run back to God, He makes me white, clean, pure. Sin is sin, and it can't go unpunished. Yes, there may be consequences for my sins, but ultimately the price has already been paid. He is waiting to forgive. So what are we waiting for?
I'm thankful because God is. Period. Whatever I need Him to be, He is. He is my God and really, He is the reason I'm even sitting here typing this. He is why I have breath, He is why I have each new day, He is why I am here.
And for that, I am thankful.
