I've been thinking a lot lately about being thankful. I know, it is a topic that is discussed pretty often by many different people but I am talking about being thankful in a different way than our typical thankful. So what do I mean by this? A few weeks back I was buried deep into my books studying for exams and my mother-in-law came to clean my house for me. She knew that I was busy and frustrated because I couldn't stop studying in order to get my house together so she came over and did it for me while I studied. I was so grateful for that. That meant the world to me! I started thinking about that and I realized, more often than not, it seems like we are more thankful for what people do for us than the people themselves...maybe that is just me but in all honesty, it is true! After coming to this realization, I started thinking back to all the people I am so thankful for. All the people God strategically places in our lives to show us his goodness and give us relationship. For example my husband, who supports me 100% of the time and who tries to love me the way Christ loved the church, my mom, who I know prays for me continuously and without that I am certain I could not get through law school, or my God-mother, who also prays for me continuously and sends me cards with sweet, encouraging words that I somehow manage to get every time I am in need of them, or my roommates from college who have become some of my best friends and are such women of faith and who I know would drop everything and run to me if I was in need. The list goes on and on and on. How many times are we more thankful for the product of relationships rather than the relationship itself?
I have come to realize that it is SO important to be thankful for the people that God places in our lives. Every person God strategically places in our lives is a blessing, whether they be parents or pastors or siblings or friends, they are blessings. So instead of thinking of all the things you are thankful for (which is good too, I am not knocking being thankful for things) try being thankful for people and relationships.
Jesus,
Today I pray that you will help me become more aware of how blessed I am to have the people in my life that you have placed there. Thank you so much for those people, for their hearts and for their talents. Thank you Lord for placing them in my life and for allowing me the privilege to know them. Father, I ask you to bless them and show them how much you care for them. Please keep them in your arms. Thank you Jesus for relationship, for relationship with these wonderful people you have placed in my life but most importantly, for relationship with you. Father, help me remember how important these people are and that they are special. Jesus, help us to love one another as we love ourselves and help us glorify you in that. I love you, Lord.
In Jesus' name I pray,
Amen.
xoxo,
Em
