Thankful Thursday

Lori is again graciously hosting this week's Thankful Thursday. Thanks, Lori! She asks us to ponder the idea of security in Christ Jesus.

This week, I want to share a wonderful experience I had with my 12 year old son, Andrew.

A few night ago when I was tucking him in, Andrew said, "Mom, you are so happy all of the time. And, it's weird because all of these bad things happened to you- your friend died, you lost a lot of money in the stock market, your dad got laid off, and your mom fell- and you shouldn't be happy. But, you're the happiest person I know."

WHEW! THANK YOU, GOD!!!! TEACHABLE MOMENT!!!

I explained to Andrew that I have a JOY inside me because of Jesus. And, this joy is NOT DEPENDANT on my circumstances. Jesus gives me such a peace that can't be shaken, no matter what is happening.

And, the strangest thing is, I would never have guessed that he thought this. I don't think of myself as "the happiest person I know." I make mistakes all of the time. I lose my temper. I get upset. I struggle.

But, I am so thankful that God is shining through me.

I know this joy that Andrew can see, it is Jesus Christ in me. I give God ALL glory and credit! It is nothing about ME and what I can do or how "good" I am. It is all about HIM in me!

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him
now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.-1Peter 1:6-10

Thank you, Lord!

Please visit Lori for more TT!

Thankful Thursday

Because yesterday was Andrew's birthday, I would like to give thanks today for him! Andrew turned 12 yesterday and he is our oldest. This picture is him dressed up as a pirate to "scare" the little boys at Aaron's birthday party a couple of weeks ago. He was so sweet at that party- letting them chase and jump on him. They all loved Andrew and it made Aaron's day to have his big brother part of it- playing with all of them.


Thank you, God for my Andrew, who is sweet, kind, funny, and caring. He has a deep sense of justice and gets angry when things are not the way they "should" be. He makes us laugh constantly and has a deep desire to make people happy.

Thank you God, for Andrew my helper. He has always been such a "little man," always helping me. He helps take care of his younger siblings, will help clean the house. He vaccuums, dusts, sweeps, washes counters, and even does his laundry! He helps his dad and will even clean and sweep the garage without being asked.

Thank you, God for Andrew my thinker. He is a deep thinker and will often have us pondering issues that we wouldn't have. He is often thinking about the "whys" in life.

Lord, this child is such a blessing to us and I am so thankful for him. He is such a good boy. He has a heart for you and loves you.

Lord, I also pray for Andrew. I pray, Lord that Andrew would "love the Lord with all of his heart, soul, mind, and strength." I pray that Andrew would grow strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. I pray that you, Lord, would pour out your wisdom on Andrew and that you would grow in him the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom. Lord, I pray that the favor of the Lord would be upon him and all that Andrew touches will prosper. I thank you for your protection around Andrew and that "no weapon formed against Andrew will prosper." Lord, fill his heart with a relationship with you! Lord, grow his love for you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen!

For more Thanksgiving, please visit Iris at Sting my Heart! Blessings!

http://www.eph2810.com/?p=786

Thankful Thursday

Oh, Lord, how I thank you! God, you are so awesome, so glorious, so good to me.

Today, I am so thankful for my 11 year old son!

My daughter Aly lost ANOTHER tooth last night, but the "tooth fairy" fell asleep and forgot to leave money for tooth. I was out walking this morning, praying for my kids when I remembered! By the time I got back home all of the kids were awake. I grabbed my 11 yr. old Andrew and whispered "tooth fairy!" in his ear. He snuck in her room and left money under her pillow before I had taken off my coat and shoes.

Aly was playing in her room with Aaron and Ashley and they had not noticed Andrew's trick. When I came in, Aly told me in her sad voice, "The tooth fairy didn't come last night!" She ran over to her bed to show me, pulled down the covers, and picked up her pillow. When she did that, we heard change jingling. When she looked under her sheet, she found 46 cents! (All Andrew had)

She exclaimed, "The tooth fairy hid my money! Silly tooth fairy!"

I am so thankful for my sweet son's heart. He loves his sisters and brother and takes such good care of them. He is very tender hearted and caring. Thank you, God for Andrew!

Andrew's Blog

Today I have a treat- Andrew is my "guest blogger." These are some of his thoughts he wrote last week (when he was supposed to be cleaning his room!) He is like his mother- anything to avoid cleaning! Well, his room did get done, but a week later, it needs to be cleaned again. But, God's Word is eternal! It stands forever!

"God's will is for everyone to go up to Heaven.
God loves you.
He suffered and was tortured for you. God loves you more than anything.
God's deeply in love with you.
God said, 'These people like me with their mouths, but their hearts do not know me.'
What God did is real. This is not a fairy tale.
Every birth is a miracle.
Miracles aren't just Jesus healing people or raising people. They're everyday stuff.
Pray with me- let God in your heart. Accept Jesus as your Savior and be blessed into the Kingdom of God.
Our life is like a second compared to eternity. Heaven is like Walt Disney World, except better, cooler, and you stay there forever and there's always new rides.
When God was on the cross, He put His arms out to say, 'I love you this much' to the whole world."


Proverbs says, "A wise son brings joy to his father." Andrew's ponderings brought me much joy! My prayer is that our children continue to grow strong in the Lord. Father God, I pray for Andrew, my children, and our future generation, that You would pour out Your wisdom on them. Lord, grow Your Word in them. Make them a mighty generation of warriors for You! Help them to make decisions according to Your will and Your Word. Fill them with such passion for You! Protect them and keep them. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Blessings upon you all!