Be joyful always; pray continually; GIVE thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
The Sonflowers’ team all agreed that “the root of Joy is gratefulness… It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful.”
To live in thankfulness is truly what God expects us to do in Christ Jesus. In response to this, our team created a thankful book. So far we have filled 4 pages of things we are sincerely thankful for during our trip. Here’s seven I have randomly selected from the list:
I am thankful for…
- Laughter shared over a resident stealing our raw potatoes
- Card games in the sun
- Preaching and someone yelling “rubbish.” God is obviously stirring in their heart.
- Elma’s eyes lighting up every time we walk into the room
- Dance parties in the courtyard that cause you to get smacked in the face by a resident
- Serving breakfast in a giant circle, dodging scaffolding, and freezers
- Quiet stillness in a room surrounded by my beautiful teammates. I am blessed.
“Thank you Jesus for the gift of loving and being loved, for the beauty of the animals on the farm, and the joy Langford radiates amidst the troubles.
Thank you for fire and water and blankets. Thank you for a rainbow after a brutal storm. Thank you for a steaming cup of hot coffee.
Thank you for the smile on the face of a little child who enjoys the simple pleasure of eating popcorn.
Thank you that I was raised in that house on Granada Blvd in the United States. For had my upbringing been different, I might never have met Jesus and the many beautiful people I know through Him.
Thank you for still pruning and chastising the Sonflowers’ team. Thank you for the glorious sunshine outside the tunnel. Most of all, thank you for the gift of the unsetting sun, Jesus Christ, who by his death and resurrection, has set me on the road to glory.”
