My heart is filled with thankfulness

I have lived long enough to know that thankfulness is not something that everyone can "feel" all of the time. But by the grace of God, even when circumstances are not as we would like or when our hearts are grieving or when we can't "conjure up" thankfulness, God is able to put thankfulness in our heart and helps us to call to mind things that we can be thankful for. This song written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend and beautifully sung by Kristyn Getty is a reminder of how God does that for us.



My heart is filled with thankfulness
To Him who bore my pain;
Who plumbed the depths of my disgrace
And gave me life again;
Who crushed my curse of sinfulness
And clothed me in His light
And wrote His law of righteousness
With pow'r upon my heart.

My heart is filled with thankfulness
To Him who walks beside;
Who floods my weaknesses with strength
And causes fears to fly;
Whose ev'ry promise is enough
For ev'ry step I take,
Sustaining me with arms of love
And crowning me with grace.

My heart is filled with thankfulness
To him who reigns above,
Whose wisdom is my perfect peace,
Whose ev'ry thought is love.
For ev'ry day I have on earth
Is given by the King;
So I will give my life, my all,
To love and follow him.

"My Heart Is Filled with Thankfulness"
Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2003 Thankyou Music

When little things are really big

Lately I have been the recipient of some seemingly "little" kindnesses that spoke loudly to my heart.

Last Friday, I was casually talking about all the leaves that had fallen in my yard and a little while later, my dear coworker/friend asked me if I would like for some help with raking & bagging them on Saturday.

This would normally be a wonderful gift to get to have some help with that chore, but it was more of a necessity to have help with it this year since I've been nursing a problem with my thumb and am wearing a brace most of the time. Their help was such a gift to me!

 
And then yesterday when my sister and niece stopped into the church office on their way to Bible study, Mary Lane presented me with some beautiful sunflowers that she had picked out for me at the store. Her mom told me that Mary Lane had wanted to bring me some flowers, which was so sweet! They had no way of knowing how much I was in need of a pick-me-up! I told Mary Lane that everytime I see those flowers, I will smile and think of her . . . and I have done just that!

I need to get busy planning some trips!

Create Your Own Visited States Map

Things to think on

There are lots of things that stay regularly on my mind these days. Some of them are things I need to do or have done at my house. Some of the things make me sad. Some of the things make me smile. Some of the things on my mind are things I am thankful for.

On Saturday morning, I took some time to go to one of my favorite thinking places. I walked and thought and prayed and thanked and praised. It was a good way to spend an hour of my weekend.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

Philippians 4:8, ESV