Thankful for His Gifts

Thankful for His gifts


174. the reality of God with us,
           in the manger,
               as a child,
                 as a man,
                    as a perfect sacrifice for sin
175.  the reality of God in us,
                the knowledge of Him
                      the remembering of HIS Truth,
                           the moving to do good deeds,
                                the fullness of Love—His perfect Love—come down
176.  the reality of our living not alone,
                                               not lost,
                                               not aimless
177. but HIM with us, in us, EVERYWHERE
         leaving us enjoying HIS presence,
                                           HIS guidance,
                                            HIS plan for me.

This giving of thanks for gifts, for graces continues to be a journey that God leads me on.  At times I go off the path, there is no time, little focus, and many interruptions but always bringing me back.

When I look back at the journey, to the poem in my first post  that I wrote those many years ago, I see how He began to teach me about being thankful for what He was doing in me and around me.

Then a book on journal writing that led to various attempts, none wrong but some not right for me, that led me to this:
       —Read some scripture or look up passages on a word or phrase.
       —Meditate for a few minutes.
       —Write down at least one of the verses (Usually a page or two and found that writing the whole chapter the verse(s) was in helped.)
       —This would lead to slowly writing thanks for truths taught and then faster as His work and character came into focus.
        —Then on to unstoppable worship and communion with my Father—just us—for His glory and honor and praise.
   
Then a gift from a friend,  A Praying Life by Paul E Miller
    —Freedom to "Practice the Presence of God" 24-7 and pray about everything.
     —Eyes to see God's answers in me, in others, in the world around me.
      —Words to say "Thank You" for His work in me, in others, in the world around me.
        —Ears to hear the Spirit say, "Pray," "Look," "Praise."

Then a gift from a friend,  One thousand Gifts by Ann VosKamp
     —Overwhelming desire to "Practice the Presence of God" 24-7 by penning "Thank YOU."
         —Eyes to search out His grace, His presence, His gifts, His glory
          —Words to write His graces, His gifts, His presence EVERYWHERE
            —Ears to hear the Spirit say, "Look," "Pray," "Praise," "Share His glory."

Now?  Waiting to see gifts/graces from Him— His work for His glory in His child.