What are you Thankful for?

Time for Thankful Thursday again! 

   I love this once a week refresher to remind me of all the good I have in our lives. When you stop to think about all the “stuff” we do have, you have think “WHY am I complaining about not having…xyz!” Yesterday, I was just talking to my friend Jenna about her family vacation to Niagara. I believe they were there for 2 weeks. I got to chat with her yesterday a little bit about it and she talked about how happy the people there truly were, even though they have so little. I am sure she will share all about it soon! Amazing that they could actually do that, how do they...? When do they get to shop? What do they buy their kids for gifts? How can the kids survive without Nickelodeon, Disney or whatever crap is on T.V.? Crazy to think about as we sit in our cushy homes or type from our fancy electronics…

  I am guilty of having “too much”, trust me! I have everything my heart desires and I sometimes get caught up in all the “extras” in life, new phone, better camera, new bedding, clothes, towels, etc. I think as Americans we take all that for granted. I want to learn to be content with the things we have and give away what we don’t need. (I donate lots to the Goodwill or Humane Society, more for my sanity of not looking at all of it)

   As I been preparing for my 1^st Missions Trip, I’ve been reading scriptures every night. They’ve really helped me get my mind set in the right place. I’ve been trying to be more content with the little things I already have…as hard as that is sometimes. A few scriptures have really stood out to me. I encourage you to study them as well.

Luke 10:25-35, The Parable of a Good Samaritan.

   This one spoke to me as I was struggling thinking about how I am going to try and work with people in Eluthera. I will be stepping out of my comfort zone and reaching out to others. I am going to have to get past the smells of things, which will be tough for me…I gag at raw, foul smells (see something you learned about me, that you probably didn’t want to know)

   Back to topic… I read these verses over and over…We are commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves, but how do we love people we don’t know? I need to look for ways that our lives overlap. Even though the people may not have all the “riches” that I am accustomed to they do have other things in common, we all share common needs. In the end we all need friendship, meaning in our life, we all need healing from bruises in our lives.

   I am going to go there with the intention in my heart that I will love my neighbors as I love myself and remember that we all have the same needs, and many of their needs will be the same as mine.

It's criminal to ignore a neighbor in need, but compassion for the poor—what a blessing!

Proverbs 14:21 (MSG)

Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?”

Romans 15:2 (MSG)

   I came across this poster yesterday and thought to myself…WOW! We have so many things to be thankful for! I hope it inspires you to be thankful for all the little things you have too!!