I’ve been working on 3 different blogs but none of them are ready for public comsumption. So I am giving you a list of 20 things, some big, others small, that have impacted my life in the past few weeks and months and have taught me how to give God glory in all circumstances.
Feel free to ask about any or all of the items on this list. Some will come up in later blogs, other probably won’t. You may never hear the whole story if you don’t ask. 🙂
(Note: I wrote this on March 7. Today means March 7.)
In no particular order:
1. Today was day 3 of month 3.
2. I have amassed 42 hours of bus travel.
3. I have only 6 hours of air travel.
4. I preached on day 3 of the race.
5. I have helped paint over 250 feet of wall.
6. I have designed 2 murals.
7. I have helped complete 7 murals.
8. I have completely used a Bert’s Bees chapstick.
9. Today I played soccer with 4 Colombian boys & 3 teammates fairly successfully.
10. I have found a kitty friend in every country.
11. I have been sick 11 days of the race.
12. I still have a cough from my upper respitory nonsense a couple weeks ago.
13. My lungs don’t like elevation, cold, and especially both together. My hosts in Ecuador are doctors and they both said I sounded asthmatic.
14. I currently live in a house with 5 showers, but the 2 closest to me have neither doors nor curtains.
15. I have been diagnosed with 5 ovarian cysts.
16. I have 6 women on my team who are each amazing in their own way.
17. I have read only 3 books since leaving.
18. I have lost about 20 pounds on the race.
19. I currently have only 1 pair of long pants.
20. I am currently living on an active dairy farm and loving it!
Each of these things has been an opportunity to praise God for His provision, power, wisdom, and love. Some initially didn’t inspire praise, but the choise was always available. Every time I choose thankfulness over complaining I walk farther with Jesus.
One way we practice thankfulness and praise on the race is by playing the Thankful Game. The Thankful Game is simple. One person says, “Let’s play the Thankful Game.” Then everyone syas things they are thankful for, whether big or small. The Thankful Game is most useful in tough situations, whether that be working it the sun all day, long travel days, or spiritual trials.
I want you to play the Thankful Game. Find 20 things that cause you to praise God. Write them down and keep them for hard days in the future.
Here is mine. I linked it my list above to demonstrate that even painful situations can be an opportunity for praise and thankfulness.
1. I am thankful that I have the opportunity to be on the World Race.
2. I am thankful that I didn’t have to walk across South America like the first disciples walked.
3. I am thankful air travel exists.
4. I am thankful that God enstrusts me to proclaim His word.
5. I am thankful that God created myriad colors.
6. I am thankful that God gave me creativity.
7. I am thankful to see work completed.
8. I am thankful to have hydrated lips.
9. I am thankful for laughter and fun.
10. I am thankful that God created a variety of animals for us to enjoy and care for.
11. I am thankful for good doctors, medicine, and teammates to care for me.
12. I am thankful that God made our bodies with the capacity to heal.
13. I am thankful for each breath God allows me.
14. I am thankful for hot water!
15. I am thaknful that God made me a woman with all that entails.
16. I am thankful that God gave me Danielle, Jordyn, Julia, Mary, Melissa, and Tiffany to do life with.
17. I am thankful for people and places more interesting than characters and settings.
18. I am thankful for healthy, yummy food like queso fresco and big bowls of fruit.
19. I am thankful that most of my clothing is in my closet not my backpack. 🙂
20. I am thankful that I wake up each morning and fall asleep each night surrounded by evidence of my Creator God.
What are you thankful for? What causes you to praise God? Let me know.
