Thankful

Note: this post was intended for Thursday.

We have reasons to be thankful everyday. And here we are living in a free country, where we can do pretty much as we please, with plenty of resources that are readily available; yet we are demanding more as if we were entitled to it.

We wonder why God "doesn't answer our prayers" because God is "good" and "loving". These concepts of God aren't wrong but they're also incomplete. We have so much and cannot find it in our hearts to be thankful for what our all powerful and just God has given his spoiled children that do not merit anything but death.

When we learn to be grateful, we will be one step closer to learning to be the children God wants us to be; children that are humble, loving, kind, courteous, honest, just, honorable, etc.

Since this post was intended for Thursday the titles of the pictures should read:

Be thankful for family.
Be thankful for hole-in-the-wall Chinese places.
Be thankful for enjoying breakfast instead of rushing through it.

I would but...

Salutations Folks!

God gives us so much on a daily basis and at times we tend to take things in a way that we complain. As of recently I've heard myself complain about how much I have to do and how I don't have time for things blah blah blah. This also has begun to bleed into everything else I do, and I do everything in a "tired mindset". I have also told myself that I'm entitled to be tired: How could I not be tired? They do not understand everything I have to do... they do not do as much as I do!

What did I notice in those sentences?
1.  I mention myself three times, others twice, God zero.
2. The word "not" appears three times.
3. The word "do" appears five times.

What did I learn?
1. I think about myself more than I think about others, and I think about myself three times more than I think about God.

2. I cannot. God can.

3. The only real way to live is not to "do" but to "surrender".

This realization has been around a long time... but I tend to "forget" conveniently whenever I want "God" to do things my way. He lovingly guides me back and when that doesn't work He has broken my leg (a few times) to make sure I walk closer to Him.

Today's prayer:
Father, show me your way and tie me down to the passenger seat. Make me trust you and only your guidance because you are my father. Make me continue to work as long as you give me time and energy. Multiply my energy and fervor to work for you or any of your children, because the task will be yours. "If you then being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more will your Father who is in heaven, give good things to them that ask him?" 

Thankful list: 
6. Competing with a 3 year old about who loves the other more.

7. Pets who want to play no matter how tired you are, and how much energy you realize you have when you play with them.

8. Understanding the value of youth while young.

9. Seeing someone smile because they realize you are genuinely proud of them.

10. Rain.