Thankful Every Day

God has His plan for our lives whether the rain falls or the sun shines!

Would you agree with me that everyday should be Thanksgiving Day? Perhaps that might seem easy for me to say as I sit in the warmth of eighty-degree sunshine in Florida while my family and friends continue to battle winter…although it is now spring! I feel privileged to be here but don’t discount the discomfort others are facing back home.

The ‘thanksgiving’ thought occurred to me just now as I continue developing a two-year old manuscript. I’ve just written a Thanksgiving scene and although not necessarily profound, in my own defense as a writer who continues to learn, it does support the principle of ‘moving the plot along.’ That being said, it did cause me to digress and consider this blog.

I’ve made a promise to myself not to share personal things in my blogs…other than my viewpoint on certain subjects or current events and perhaps the odd thought-provoking question. However, in turning to a journal [a small leather-bound book I carry in my Bible to record my thoughts on things I’ve heard, learned or been reminded of], I felt compelled to share my writings on something personal. In actual fact, the notes come from an adult Sunday School class back in February 2012.

I invite you to come with me for a few moments as I share my notes on the topic, The Purposeful Providence of God.

The following are not just fascinating facts that we store up for knowledge; they have a direct impact on how we live our lives.

• God knew me personally before he created me. Psalm 139:13 states, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”
• Every event in my life is pre-ordained and is presently managed by God. Psalm 139:16 confirms this: “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
• Every event in my life has ultimate meaning and purpose. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 is a good reminder when things go wrong in my life, but sometimes it’s hard to get this one through my head.
• My present suffering cannot be compared to my future glorification. “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). I like what Jesus revealed to Paul when Paul begged to have his affliction removed: “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9, The Message).

My Notes: It seems at times I live, I breathe, I exist from day to day floating along in my Christian existence, living each day in my own strength, responding to my own bidding. Then verses like these remind me that God has—and always has had—a purpose for me, a purpose fulfilled providence. That God has put me here for His purpose, despite the fact that I too often neglect or give much thought as to what that purpose is. Then I am reminded that my life was pre-ordained and in looking back, I can’t help acknowledging so many events that could have ended my very existence but for God! Indeed, BUT FOR GOD! He has always had His hand on my finite life and protected me in order to fulfill His purpose for me, despite my choices or neglect. It seems to be an ongoing lesson for me to learn: that God works His ultimate will for His pleasure and my good. Or, as R. C Sproul says, “God works His will in [and despite] our intentional decisions!” These four points are a great reminder of who I am—a child of God—reborn, recreated through admission of my sinful life and an acceptance of what Christ did for me through his death and resurrection. Am I thankful? Words fail me when I realize there was nothing I could have done to deserve this kind of love. God has done it all.

There you have it!  Just a few notes on the topic which happen to be the first entries in my inch-thick leather journal with just a few pages from being full. Many times I’ll put an asterisk beside a special quote or by my response or thoughts that I’d like to incorporate into my writings, such as “Move your focus from strengthening your trust in God to trusting God’s strength” (thought-provoking, isn’t it!). And one more, “Words are formed in thoughts and when spoken out, empower either positive or negative results.”

 Well…I need to get back to my manuscript before the sun and the pool beckon me! Stay warm for those in the cold, and I promise, I will remain deeply appreciative—and in keeping with my opening comment—thankful every day for how God has blessed me, the least of which is a month in the sunshine.