Thankfulness Continued.....

I continue my thankful list. I'm  at  250. 
When I was young my mom used to tell me, "Karen, there is a silver lining in every cloud." 
She wanted me to look for the good in all situations, even the hard ones. 


With my kids I try to focus on the good in situations.  
While fishing, John Mark shot a wire completely through his index finger. He proceeded to pull out the wire  and continued fishing. When he did not get an infection,
  182. on my list read, I thank you Lord, that John Mark did not get an infection and that he has use of his finger. 
This happened with only two days of antibiotics and no doctors visit. A miracle especially in Vanuatu where one can get a serious infection very quickly even with a scrape.   


Or when Sierra, randomly sent me an e-mail and shared with me her favorite memory of me and her, instead of dwelling on the loss of my only grand daughter and our time together I chose,
214. Thank you Lord, that Sierra has memories of me, and we have a good relationship in spite of the distance between us. 


And instead of being sad I was thankful when I received an unexpected text...
"Pray for me mom, I'm preaching in a few minutes." 
Neither one of us can explain how I get some texts from Erik, yet I'm not able to send any back.
Number 228. Thank you Lord, that because of Erik's work, the Ni Vanuatu can hear Your word  in their own language. 
Our missionary kids face many obstacles and struggles in their far of lands. 
Us POM's can choose how we respond. 
Thankfulness is a choice. My list is helping me to recognize this. 

Thank You God....

I like my own way! If we are honest, I think that most people do.
But it is not always about me and what I want.
I have to chuckle when I say that because in the spiritual realm
it's never supposed to be about me.
It is about Jesus.

God has used being a POM (parent of a missionary) and
long distance grandma to teach me these truths because knowing
them and walking them out are two very different things, and I can
be a very stubborn person.

The trials and distance that go along with being a POM have
produced surrender in me. I bow the knee much quicker
now.

The joy and pride of watching God use my children along with
the sorrows and grief over the losses have humbled and tethered me.

Through the years I have learned that faith is a choice, and so is
unbelief.

I am learning that God's grace is sufficient for me if I let it be.

I am learning that God really IS sovereign , and I can rest in that truth
no matter what the outcome even if the outcome is what I consider to be
bad.

Thankfulness is a choice.
I can choose to count trials all joy, and a joyful heart is good medicine.

Prayer changes things, and God hears my prayers, and the effective
prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much.
Prayer is something that I CAN do. So I will not quit praying.

I am thankful for God's long suffering, faithfulness, mercy and love as
He is teaching me these things.

So I am humbled and thankful as I write this. I'm missing my grand kids today.
Some days its hard, but God is good.

I have been through the valley of weeping,
The valley of sorrow and pain;
But the "God of all comfort" was with me,
At hand to uphold and sustain.

As the earth needs the clouds and sunshine,
Our souls need both sorrow and joy;
So He places us oft in the furnace,
The dross from the gold to destroy.

When he leads through some valley of trouble,
His omnipotent hand we trace;
For the trials and sorrows He sends us,
Are part of His lessons in grace.

Oft we run from the purging and pruning,
Forgetting the Gardener knows
That the deeper the cutting and trimming,
The richer the cluster that grows.

Well He knows that affliction is needed;
He has a wise purpose in view,
And n the dark valley He whispers,
"Soon you'll understand what I do."

As we travel through life's shadowed valley,
Fresh springs of His love ever rise;
And we learn that our sorrows and losses,
Are blessings just sent in disguise.

So we'll follow wherever He leads us,
Let the path be dreary or bright;
For we've proved that our God can give comfort;
Our God can give songs in the night.