Thankfulness

Remember how I said today was going to be a long day? If I’d only known how long…

I probably would have just rolled over and died right there.

But I didn’t–and here I am at the end still alive.

Today I’m thankful…

…for a joyful encounter with an elderly resident who supposed me to be his sister–but who was unfortunately shocked when he got a closer look at me to discover that I was going to the office dressed like THIS (THIS being in a “man’s” suit–i.e. a pantsuit)

…for a relatively uninterrupted workday, something that I haven’t had yet since my hire–and have been desperately craving

…for trail mix and cold water, absolutely necessary to keep sane during an everlasting day of work

…for a painless shot and a direct-deposited check

…for lots of new admissions–even when they mean a busy day for me!

…for families that care, even when it makes my job as a dietitian difficult

…for a faithful God who grants grace for every day, one moment at a time

…for the wonderful advice a dear sister gave me yesterday–to take the next couple of months one day at a time

It has been a busy, but productive day (for which I am very thankful!)

In addition to that, today I’m thankful…

…for deep gasps of life-giving air as I rode my bicycle up a hill against the wind

…for riotous laughter in a discussion that started with nonresistance to evil by force and, somehow, over the course of several hours, ended with a defense of the necessity of art criticism

…for absolutely shocking the girls at Bible study with a revelation I wondered if I’d have the guts or the gumption to pull off as it required

…for three compliments in the space of three hours. Apparently my hair, my outfit, and my entire look was rather nice today.

…for pleasant conversation with the RD from corporate–and a promise of catching up with each other at FNCE

…for sitting down at my sewing machine after a long, busyness inspired sabbatical

…for air conditioning in my car and a sermon worth listening to during my commute

…for the God who feeds the birds and clothes the lilies, provides for my every need and lavishes His favor in these simple pleasures

Today I’m thankful that God has provided all that I need–for my physical body and IN His spiritual body.

I’m thankful for His provision for my physical body…

…for free meals while I’m working (that mean I don’t have to try to pack a lunch that can keep through a long commute)

…for delicious food waiting in my crockpot after a long (LONG) day of work

…for another cavity-free dental appointment (I love NOT having to pay for dental work!)

…for a fancy new toothbrush that makes it easier to clean my wisdom teeth

…for functional clothing and fancy furbelows to cover me–and make me feel pretty :-)

And I’m thankful for the spiritual body that God uses to minister to me in so many ways:

…for my Dad, who functions as a true spiritual head for me, offering advice and acting on my behalf

…for my sister, who never fails to encourage me in conversation

…for my roommate, who cares and does little (and big) things to let me know that she does

…for book club, and the men (and occasional women) who are willing to exercise their minds together with me over a beer

…for Bible study, and the wonderful women who share their hearts and with whom I can share mine

How remarkably blessed I am to have everything that I need for my physical body–and to be placed into a spiritual body that provides for so many of my other needs.

This week has been a lovely one thus far, but I’m glad to be nearing its end. I’ve been Busy-with-a-capital-B. But amidst the busyness, I’ve had many precious blessings.

Today I’m thankful…

…for book club starting again next week. (We’re reading Leo Tolstoy’s The Kingdom of God is Within You–I’m excited to further explore the concept of non-violence, and to do it with this group of believers.)

…for Bible study last night–and all the ladies being patient with my crying (yet again.) What a great group of ladies!

…for Sunday School this past week. It’s been a while since I taught a children’s Sunday School, but I filled in this week, teaching about Abraham and Isaac. Oh how I enjoy teaching children.

…for great coworkers and trainers who are showing me the ropes.

…for Gracie, who misses me and made an appointment to see me tomorrow :-)

…that God supplies all my needs, not by giving me things, but by giving me Himself. How could I live without Him? I just couldn’t.

I’m thankful for the many details that are starting to fall into place.

Today I’m thankful…

…for my advisor’s acknowledgment of the merit of my thesis research (I’m so glad to have her on board!)

…for the approval of my former internship director regarding my immediate career plans

…for the confidence my new boss has in my ability to be an asset to the organization

…for the schedule we’ve been able to work out which will satisfy my employer (and my sister)–and allow me to keep my driving to a minimum

…for a chapter in Bible study last night that reminded again of how much I want Christ to become my supreme treasure.

“The best way to disengage an impure desire is to engage a pure one; the best way to expel the love of what is evil is to embrace the love of what is good instead. To be specific, we must replace the object of our sinful affection with an infinitely more worthy one–God himself. In this way we do not move from a full heart into a vacuum. Instead we move from a full heart to a heart bursting with fullness. And the expulsive power of our new affection weakens and even destroys the power of sin in our hearts.”

~Thomas Chalmers, quoted by Bridges and Bevington in The Bookends of the Christian Life

The same is true even when the object of our desire or affection is good. We all have many good desires–but these desires must not become our gods.

I have tried to change my desires, to adjust my dreams. I’ve begged God to change my heart, my desires, my dreams.

“Just don’t think about it.” I tell myself. “Just give up on it. Just resign yourself. Stop chasing that dream. Stop desiring that. Stop longing. Stop feeling.”

It doesn’t work. I can’t stop longing. I can’t stop desiring.

But I can cultivate a higher desire, a stronger longing, a deeper affection. I can look to Christ and deliberately stir up a longing in my soul for Him. I can whet my appetite with tastes of Him. I can run after Him until my panting soul cries out for the Living Water, the Water that is Himself.

I can cultivate a new affection for God that can then operate its expulsive power upon every lesser affection.

As details of my next career steps begin to fall into place, my soul remains conflicted. I am so thankful for this job, for its provision. There are so many wonderful aspects about it. Yet my desires… my desires are upon so many things that I cannot have. I know not what to do with the convolutions of my heart.

Yet one truth has fallen into place–I must learn to truly love God with heart and soul and strength. I must cling to Him and find in Him satisfaction for my soul.

“My soul longs, yes, even faints
For the courts of the LORD;
My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.”
~Psalm 84:2

Thankful for a Lazy Day before everything goes crazy!

And for the crazy stuff coming shortly that makes the lazy enjoyable!

Today I’m thankful…

…for a good night’s sleep (it’s been awhile)

…for laundry that seems to getting done more quickly than usual

…for sitting down with a fun book (expect a review of The Homeschool Liberation League in the upcoming weeks)

…for eating potato chips (yep, I bought myself some yesterday–it’s almost becoming a monthly or so habit as my family get more and more concerned about my declining weight.)

…for leftover pumpkin cake from my sister-in-law’s birthday “celebration” (aka normal-Wednesday-night-hanging-out-at-McDonalds-except-that-Rebekah-brought-cake)

…for rain and thunder and green, green grass

…for a chance to spend time with my good friend Joanna on Friday (between her vacation and my starting back up to school and her starting a new job, we haven’t spent time together for at least a MONTH!)

…for a birthday celebration for my Grandma happening on Saturday

…for a family get-away scheduled for Sunday and Monday

…for the lab I’ll be teaching on Tuesday (I always enjoy doing beverages)

…for an interview for a job I’d really like to get on Wednesday (If they were to consider me their best candidate, they’re willing to wait to have me start until January, when my other commitments are over)

…for the job I’ll be starting on Thursday

And that brings me to next week’s Thankful Thursday!

I am thankful for the full life that God has given me to enjoy–and for the empty moments found here and there throughout.

Today I’m thankful…

…that at least one of my professors is totally on my side regarding my thesis.

…that I have wonderful family and friends who take my side (even when I’m doing my best to self-destruct).

…that I have a great high priest who lives to make intercession for me.

This song was in the playlist that woke me up this morning. What a beautiful reminder of the God who, when I was His enemy, paid a terrible price to make me His friend.

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in Heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace,
One in Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God!

Thank You, Lord, for taking my part, for paying the price I couldn’t pay, for justifying this unworthy wretch! I am so in awe of the greatness of the God who would do such a thing for me.