No matter the demands this day presents,
I will exalt God and give thanks to Him.
Topic of the Month: Thankfulness
Upon my return from a recent conference, realities and responsibilities thrust me into a hurricane of have-to-dos. Catching up on laundry, groceries, chores… Following up with clients, work tasks, schedules… Reconnecting with family, friends, church family… Trying to ingest and reflect properly on all the information learned and connections made at the conference… Planning and preparing for the next ministry event, this week’s blog, the next step… Throw into the mix a 24-hour stomach bug, planning a move, and an arm injury sustained by our daughter.
Can we say “OVERLOAD”?? I’m sure you can identify. Certain areas of life suffer and lack immensely. Chaos can abound.
For me, dirty dishes spill over in the sink. Floors scream for the vacuum. Half-done home improvement projects on hold blatantly bark bedlam – disorder – mess. Things packed for our move and halfway accessible multiplies the madhouse of my current reality.
To intensify this turmoil, I have disconnected myself from my home of twenty-five years to lend my heart the ability to walk away from it. This home’s history is intertwined with my family for over one hundred years! So many memories from generation to generation overflow my heart. I know the existing pandemonium displayed in my home reflects the condition of my heart. I have allowed not just the demands of my schedule, but also the emotional detachment, to rule my care of our current home.
Something I have learned: The way we exit one season of our lives is the same way we will enter the next. I don’t want to enter this new season of my life in chaos, disarray, and tumult. I want thankfulness, ability, peacefulness, order to be perfectly experienced and displayed. I realize I need to make a heart change so that I can end this season and enter the next successfully.
Transitions are hard, grueling, and exhausting. Yet, in the midst of transition, I am choosing to be thankful. Isaiah 25:1 says:
“O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; For You have worked wonders, plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.”
As I enter this new day God has ordained me to live, no matter the chaos, the stress, the demands, the mess, the emotional detachments… I commit to be thankful I have these God-planned tasks ahead; I have a heart willing; and I have a mind and body able to complete all that is required of me in this given day.
Thankful… For the dirty laundry I will scoop up, wash, dry, fold and put away.
Thankful… For the menu planning, shopping, putting away, and preparing of meals.
Thankful… For the vacuuming of crumbs, dog hair, and dirt drug in by occupants and visitors.
Thankful… For the phone calls, appointments, paperwork.
Thankful… For the conversations, acts of service, prayers made for others.
Thankful… For the opportunities, connections, and growth.
Thankful… For the destiny, purpose, and ability from God.
Thankful… For my old and new home, for old and new projects, for old endings and new beginnings.
In all these things, I will exalt God, give thanks to Him, and trust His perfect plan and faithfulness.
No matter the stresses of life, endure with joy as you walk in faith. Be thankful in all things, knowing He has created you, purposed you, destined you to walk in love as He loves us. The cares of today are sufficient. Don’t worry about tomorrow. What we accomplish this day is enough. What is left for tomorrow will be. Each of us individually are only one person – one whom God purposed, created, established, called, empowered, anointed, and loves. Instead of being moved by the pressures screaming at us from every angle, let’s choose to rest in the peace of God with a joyful, thankful heart – confident in God’s ability in us as we tackle today’s to-do list.
Holding Fast to Hope,
Maryann
Scripture References: Matthew 6:25-34; Psalm 118:28; Psalm 139:14; Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 3:15.
