In everything.....

"give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
 ~1 Thessalonians 5:18

So today I am giving thanks..... not because I have so much joy in my life at this moment that I can't help but give thanks, but because I need that joy desperately right now.

I think we often make the mistake of thinking that praise comes from happiness and that joy comes from peacefulness.  The truth is.....

it's praising God that gives us our joy and peace.

Today I will give thanks to God,

not because my children deal with various  illnesses,

not because I enjoy nights filled with restlessness and fearful moments,

but because for this moment I am taking my sleep deprived eyes off of my little storm and looking up to the only one that can make darkness turn into light,

the only one that can create a  life were there was none.

Giving God thanks in everything allows me to not wallow in self pity or remain broken in my circumstances, it reminds me that life is full of beautiful things and that struggles are only temporary.

There is joy to be found in today no matter what our circumstances may be, and by looking up to give God thanks we are able to recognize those joys and find peace during a time when we need it the most. 

So today I will first give thanks... and then I will pray.

Thank you Lord.....

~ For my beautiful family

~ For the roof over my head

~ For the sun that shined today on a broken world

~ For the breath that fills my body

~ For another chance to be who you called me to be

~ For the chance to feel your loving presence in the midst of a storm

"give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thes. 5:18