Good evening ladies. We find ourselves at the close of 2011. It has been a year filled with change, challenge and blessing. I try to reflect on the blessings instead of the negative. I would like to challenge you to reflect on 2011 and list five blessings you had this year. I will start:
1. My friends that are battling cancer are still here to battle another day. Not only are they here, they are grateful for every day they have to share with their family and friends.
2. My daughter and her beautiful girls are standing strong in their faith. God has been very gracious to them and loved them through you, His church.
3. God has provided for Tom and I in ways that I don't even understand. He is so good to us and we love Him so. We even got to enjoy some wonderful vacation time this year.
4. Enjoying the fruits of this group has been such a blessing to me. I love you all, you make me smile. You are among the best parts of our church.
5. I am thankful that God is still on the throne and there is still hope for mankind. It is a blessing to me to know I don't have to have all the answers, He does. I am blessed that His Word is readily available to me.
Now ladies, that was not hard at all. I would like for each of you to post at least five of your blessings here for us to share and rejoice together.
As you look to 2012 I encourage you to not waste a moment. If there is gospel to share with a friend, loved one or a stranger that God puts in your path, be sure to take the opportunity to do so. I look forward to class resuming in January.
My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
Thanks for the new post! As you said, this year has held a lot of challenges but I will focus on finding 5 blessings.
ReplyDelete1. I have the privilege of being called a child of God! He doesn't need me but He WANTS me. He is continually
"peeling away my layers" and making me into the creation that He needs me to be. I am not worthy and just clay in His hands.
2. I have the blessing of a large family(extended included)and get to spend quite a bit of time with them throughout the year.
3. I am blessed with friends that I have known for almost 12 years. They are more like family and it is an honor to be part of their life.
4. I am blessed with being a part of our Wednesday night ladies class. It has been a true blessing and I am anxious for it to resume.
5. I have a roof over my head, food in the house to eat, a furnace to keep me warm, a soft bed to sleep in, warm water to keep me clean, 3 beautiful healthy children, and a husband who loves me. What more needs to be said, really?
Thanks for the positive reminder, Marilyn!
As I sit here and think about all the wonderful things God has done for me and the people around me - I could have a list a mile long. But I will try to narrow it down to just 5. LOL
ReplyDelete1. I have an amazing support system in my life. My wonderful husband, two loving children, my parents, my sisters, Dian and several friends at work. I feel loved each and every day.
2. I have a Lord and Savior that loves me no matter what insane things I do. He knows I am a control freak and loves me any way and I am continually learning that I am in control of nothing!!! To quote Dian "God has a plan and it's for his glory". Much better than anything I could come up with.
3. I was given a new boss at school this year and he has been wonderful. I have always loved my job at the school but the last year was very trying and he has come in and helped to make it the place I love to go to every day again. Thank you Lord!
4. I have a house to have shelter and be secure in, food, running water, etc.
5. I too am blessed to be part of the Wednesday night group. It has been wonderful to be in the word of God and guard it in our hearts and just rely on each other and lift each other up.
This was a fun challenge! :)
Gail thanks for announcing the new post. Brandy and Chrissy, I enjoyed reading your comments. I know these are times of struggle for many, your comments brightened my day. God bless you.
ReplyDelete#1, I am glad to be one of your friends who is still battling...though it's not the cancer, but the side effects of the meds I have to take.
ReplyDelete#2, thankful for this time in life, even though it seems like sometimes I'm the mom, not the daughter.
#3, thankful for a wonderful group of friends I call my church.
#4, thankful for Precepts Bible Study and Beverly Davis.
#5, thankful for the lessons cancer has taught me...particularly that God has shown me I'm stronger than I think I am (with His help), and never take anything for granted. One phone call can change everything.
Jean Hunt
Jean, thank you for taking the time to respond with your thoughts on what you are thankful for. I am sorry it has taken me so long to get back to the blog. I was touched by the reflections on the very tough situations you live with everyday, yet you are able to be thankful for this time in life. I am enjoying getting to know you better and I enjoy you being in the class on Wednesday night. I look forward to resuming class in January.
ReplyDeleteBeverly Davis
ReplyDeleteI'm blessed way beyond anything I can write, but I want to praise the Lord.
1. Blessing for what the Lord is teaching me through my cancer and others who are fighting the battle. I love them and pray for them several times a day.
2. For the precious ladies in the Ladies Bible Study and the privilege of watching the Holy Spirit work in our lives. God is using these ladies in great ways.
3. For the privilege of having a group of ladies involved in Precept Bible Study and seing their love for the Word of God and growing in the Lord.
4. For all thosw who pray, send cards, and encouage me and others. We couldn't do it without the prayers of these precious saints.
5. For all the exciting this God is doing in and through the church. Thsnks for all of those who are involved in the Life Group that meets in my home. Thanks for Tom and Marilyn leading it. God is always Present in our lives to accomplish His will and bring glory to His Name.
Yeah Beverly, you were able to get your post to come through. Thank you for taking the time to post your thoughts. We all do have a lot to be thankful for. We are a very blessed people. Make it a safe and happy new year, placing our trust and hope in God. Countdown to farewell to 2011 and hello 2012. May you know God's richest blessings.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to narrow the blessings to just 5, but here goes.....
ReplyDelete1. God has provided miraculously for our family in the midst of extremely stressful and difficult economic times. We have not always made the right decisions and yet he still loves us and cares for us.
2. At the risk of being redundant, I am also extremely thankful for our ladies discipleship group. Again, the unconditional love and service shared among us is beyond anything I could have expected almost a year ago when the group began.
3. I am humbled and grateful for the children God has entrusted to me. They have so far chosen to follow the Lord and they each seem to sincerely love Him and want to serve Him. It is such a blessing to see especially my older two developing their own relationships with our God and be able to explore His word together as we all grow in Him. Even Jake desires to read His Bible on his own.
4. I have a godly mother that I can turn to when I need spiritual or emotional guidance. I am thankful for her wisdom and support. I miss my dad, but he left such a godly example for my family to follow and I wouldn't have it any other way but for him to be with our Lord worshipping and no longer in pain.
5. I appreciate my job that allows me to at least in a small way influence kids at a most difficult time in their development. I pray each day that God will give me opportunity to show his love to a student that doesn't know Him. It has blessed my heart immensely as our group has ministered to one of those children in need. Thank you all for that!
As our Sunday School lesson says this week, let's not forget to be grateful every day for the Lord's care of us even when we don't know how far reaching that provision may be. I love you all and pray God's blessings for every one this new year, 2012!
Ann, I appreciate your heart and taking the time on New Year's Eve to post. These are some incredible posts that all of the ladies have taken the time to share. I am humbled by the response and growth I have seen in our discipleship group. It is exciting to stand at the start of 2012 with such wonderful women.
ReplyDeleteBeing gone part of the end of the year I didn't get on the blog at all and had time for the first time today. Loved reading all your posts. I will think on the 5 blessings and post them later. Right now I am concentrating on Dale and his biopsy tomorrow. I ask for your prayers in this matter. Thanks
ReplyDeleteCathy Favre