"Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." ~from Nehemiah 8:10, NIV~
I have recently found myself in the midst of some personal battles, and while staggering forth with battered shield in hand, I have become weary and more vulnerable to unseen perils that gather with force to surround me. The more I focus on the pressure of the attack against me, the more tempted I become to surrender in defeat, but this morning, while in prayer, I remembered the words of Nehemiah, "The joy of the Lord is your strength," and I asked the Lord for a renewed allocation of joy. Then, I believe, guided by the spirit, I developed the following list of things I am thankful for, and this list has fortified me against the assault of my enemy:
I am thankful for...
1. God's word, God's love, God's provision, God's grace, and God's plan
2. my husband's loyalty to me and provision for me
3. the baby growing inside of me
4. my beautiful home
5. our cars
6. the fact that I no longer have to commute an hour to work and an hour home
7. my superior therapist
8. leisure and time to relax, reflect, and re-energize
9. books, movies, and other diversions
10. my mom and dad and their proximity to me during this, my first ever, pregnancy
11. my cats and their health
12. emotional healing
13. my cognitive abilities: to read, to write, to study and analyze
14. my continued reports of good health and health for the fetus inside me at every doctor's visit
15. the sunny summer day
16. the trips I have been blessed to take and look back on with fondness
17. my church
18. the interview for a new job that I have on Wednesday and the hope it brings
19. friends and family who love and support me
20. the happy future that God has planned for me and my family, though I cannot see it from this vantage point
I have so much more to be thankful for than I have to bewail, and I praise you, God, for making me aware of that this morning. In Christ's name I pray. Amen.
