As I was thinking about what I wanted this blog to be about, I thought about everything that has happened over the past few weeks. Graduation, family, friends, parties, thank you notes and so much more. Currently, it feels like summer has whisked off like a tornado that won’t let my feet touch the ground. I’ve been writing hundreds of thank you notes and frankly was tired of being, well, “thankful”. In reality I am thankful for everything God has blessed me with thus far, but my attitude was wrong. Then, a question started to swell up and form in my head, why are we thankful? More specifically, why am I thankful? The bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 3:15 – Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace, and to be thankful.
Colossians 4:2 – Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
The bible is clear when it talks about being thankful. Most of the time, in this day and age, it is portrayed that we must be thankful for gifts. The bible proclaims in James 1:17 – That, ” Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
You are my gifts. God has given me you, and you have been giving me your gifts for months or even years. Whether it was gently babysitting me and my little siblings when we were little. Or patiently helping me with my high school/college classes so I could pass them. Or even readily helping set up and tear down at my graduation parties. You are all gifts from God. Every person I have come into contact with in any way, shape or form has been a gift. Every person I have gleaned wisdom, tips, thoughts or ideas from. Every person who has supported me and funded me for my next chapter of life. All the family and friends I have, have shaped me and grown me into the person I am today. After some thought (but not too much thought) I know who I am thankful for, You! I’m thankful for the memories and times we share. I am thankful for the hugs and encouragement you give. I’m thankful for the prayers and inspiration.
See, when I first started this journey of raising money, I never thought that I would have raised so much in this little amount of time. I am thankful for the verse Philippians 4:6 it truly helped me during that stressful first month of fundraising. It says: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
God knew that I was freaking out about everything that I needed to get done. Fundraising $15,800 seemed impossible. God knew that I doubted I would raise all the funds I needed. Lots, and I mean lots, of prayers were put into everything I did and every step I took. Then, God decided to completely blow my mind and continues to do so. Now the only verse that I can think of when it comes to only having $4,250.23 to go is Psalm 20:4 – “May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.”
God knows my heart desire is to raise all my funds before I leave. He knew that my plans have been to do missions and serve people around the world. He knew I wanted to glorify and honor him with what I was going to do. He is still fulfilling the desire to finalize my fundraising, but I KNOW he will. I get to go glorify Him in different countries and be Jesus to the nations, that is currently my heart’s desire. He knows all the other desires of my heart too, and thus far most of them have been granted to me. I am so unworthy of God’s undying, unfailing, merciful love and blessings. He is beyond good to me.
So, why am I thankful? I am thankful because God has blessed me with every earthly blessing I could ever imagine. He has blessed me with air in my lungs every day. He has given me faithful and forgiving parents and friends. He has provided jobs in which I can raise some of my own money. He has put me in a country in which I can praise and worship His name without being persecuted. He has given me the desires of my heart. He hears my prayers and constantly lavishes his loving-kindness on me. I have so many reasons to be thankful.
What I have learned, is that even when my hand is dying after the hundreds of thank you notes, or I need to go the chiropractor because my back hurts from sitting for hours; I will be thankful. Even when I’m having a rough day at work and I feel like quitting, I will be thankful. Even when it feels like the whole world is pressing and weighing down on my shoulders and I can’t take another step, I will be thankful. Because, Jesus paid the highest price for me, and gave his life in return for mine. He loves me so much, and for that, He deserves all the gratitude and thankfulness I have to offer. I am eternally thankful for my savior.
Hebrews 12:28-29 – Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.
1 Timothy 4:4-5 – For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
2 Corinthians 4:15-16 – All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
Side note: We have t-shirts! I have white and black t-shirts of all sizes for $12 each. If you are interested contact me with sizes and colors and I will get them to you asap! Thank you for being apart of my journey. Blessings 🙂
