Thankful Me

I am sitting here thinking that I am really blessed. I can't tell you how many days I walk around forgetting that fact or acting like there aren't so many more people less fortunate than myself. Honestly, I am a half full kinda girl. I am positive and extremely encouraging. Some folks may think I am perpetrating a fraud. I'm not. My life is not perfect but my outlook makes a ton of difference in me and those around me.

When I worked, I sat in a cubicle with a woman who was extremely negative. She hated that I always looked on the bright side of things. She was draining. She was always trying to make things work in her favor by manipulating circumstances. I sorta went with the flow and tried to do the right thing. I prayed and I moved on. She couldn't stand it. The other two women in the cubicle were rather positive so I am sure we annoyed the hell out of her. She just didn't get it. I tried to tell her that if she was at peace with herself and God, things would work out the way they were supposed to. Favor is not fair but God grants favor to whomever He wishes. Most things work out for me, not necessarily in a predictable way but God has always worked everything out. I know it is God's plan not mine because I'd work out every situation to be less painful and easy to get through. That has been proven in my friendships, finances, and marriage.

As I've matured, I realize that everyone can't handle you or your stuff. You really do need to choose your audience carefully. Some folks don't deserve a front row seat in your life. Some don't even deserve tickets to be a part of the audience. We need to be careful and discerning about who speaks into our lives. Everyone has their own agenda and sometimes their plan for you isn't the plan God designed for you. We need to measure what people say against God's Word and determine if it accurately reflects His character and will.

Ahhh...I have digressed but I guess this was the message meant to be given. I started out talking about being thankful. I am thankful for the life that I live. I am blessed with a husband who does prioritize providing and protecting his family. I am blessed with two beautiful but extremely different children. I am blessed with a loving and encouraging mother. My family has longevity. I am grateful to have grown old enough to appreciate the wisdom and quiet nature of my grandmother. She is strong despite her quiet demeanor. I am very thankful that God saw fit to bless me with a diverse group of friends. The common thread in each of those friendships is a belief in God and a supportive nature.

I am thankful for forgiveness. I have wronged and I have been wronged. Forgiveness is the highest compliment you can give or receive. Just think if God had not been a forgiving and loving God. Where would we be? We'd be lost. I am thankful that I am not who I used to be. I am thankful that I am not all I'm going to be. I am simply thankful for each day that God gives me to wake up and try to be a better example of His love and grace. I am thankful for this season, while not always easy or pleasant, apparently necessary, for something He wants to bring about in me, for His purpose. Be ready because whatever it is, it is gonna be awesome. So my friends, I challenge you to be thankful for the little things. If you aren't thankful for those what are you going to do with the big blessings that come your way. To whom much is given, much is required. Thankfulness is a a small thing with a huge impact. When you can learn to thank God for the trials and pain, then you are really doing something. Praise is easy when life is going well. I wanna see you when you're going through something, that's a testament to who you truly are. I gotta go. I would love to know what you are thankful for right now. Ciao!

Copyright May 25, 2010 by Pamela Cole Thorpe