As I reflect on this week, I stand amazed at how many things I can thank God for. In a week, the Lord has proven to be faithful in all His dealings towards me. I do not deserve any of His goodness and care over my life yet that is what I get. As we get to this weekend of Thanksgiving, I would like to remind us to be thankful and not grow accustomed to the workings of God in our lives to the point where we start believing that it is normal or expected. Today, I would like to highlight three things for which I was thankful for this week alone.
The first thing I was thankful for this week was for the presence of God. I know you might think this is normal because God is always with us yet I was able to see Him in a different light this week. As the week progressed, I felt sadness over my inadequacies, I felt like giving up on everything, I was submerged by my failures, having to come back to God for the same issues as well as my lack of trust in Him. I was tired of myself and I even wondered whether the Father was hearing me. This way of thinking, this feeling by the grace of God did not last. God reminded me of His constant presence over me, reminding me that He lives in me, that He cares for me, that He sees me and that He is going through my difficulties with me. He reminded me to surrender to Him and trust Him. I was so encouraged by these truths and I picked up myself again and was back on track. God’s presence captivated me this week indeed.
The second thing I was thankful for this week was the gift of hospitality and togetherness. This is probably one of the highlights of my week as I got to host friends from church as well as my small group. I realize this is not something that is innate to everyone and it takes a special gift so I am thankful for such a gift. Being able to spend time with brothers and sisters as well as strangers is simply a delight especially if that time includes activities that produce laughter, joy, and nourishment. It is always a privilege to practice hospitality as it allows me to get to know others better, get into their world all the while allowing them to see my world. I pray that the Lord deepens it and teaches me how to perfect it, reminding me that it is all about opening your home to strangers and showing them the love of God. I pray I learn to be selfless and serve others well so that Christ might be exalted in that. I pray I am able to see those that are not seen so that Christ’s love grabs them.
The last thing I was thankful for this week was the gift of time in singleness. I have been able to have more time to myself lately which has been well used to catch up on activities that I had not been able to do in the past. Having time allowed me this week to enjoy an extended quiet time with the Lord which nourished my soul spiritually; it allowed me to celebrate a friend; it allowed me to host. Time is such an expensive commodity because it cannot be bought back once it has been spent. Therefore, I am all the more grateful to have been given it in this season. Truly, goodness and mercy follows me all the days of my life. I am thankful, my heart is full at this moment and I pray to be graced to enjoy every season I am in as the Lord would have it. What are you thankful for?
A Word Aptly Spoken 