Thanksgiving 2011 - Reflecting back on God's goodness

Reflections!

Today we are celebrating Thanksgiving in the US. This is a day families get together, cooking up sumptuous feasts, celebrating the day eating, drinking, enjoying the company of family and friends. Aside from the celebrations, we should not lose sight of the goodness in our lives as we live in a strife filled world, and take a moment to thank the LORD who makes it all possible.  We should take the time to share with our next generation of God's grace and favors in our lives.  A few things in my life that I am thankful for...

1. For loving and caring parents who sacrificed a lot for their children
2. For a brother and sisters who would stand with me through thick and thin
3. As a small child I should have lost my right eye to a cactus bush into which I had tripped and fallen face first with one of the thorns going into my eye.
4. As an adult, I should have lost my left eye to central retinal vein occlussion, but for God's grace giving me overnight healing through the power of prayer.
5. As a little boy, doing the things I shouldn't do, I was running on top of the brick wall around our family home, when a loose brick gave way, flinging me into a thicket of rose bushes. Grandma came running and extracted me from the thorny bush. It could have done some serious damage to my eyes, but for God's favor escaped with scrapes all over.
6. As a junior high school student contemplated running away from home as I was unable to meet the expectations of scoring high on my finals.
7. As a teenager in debt beyond my means to repay, unable to sleep for nights, at my wits end I prayed to God for a few minutes of restful sleep. I don't recall ending that prayer, but woke up next morning on my all fours as I had bent down to pray the night before. I believe that night turned the course of my life.
8. His favor allowed me to successfully complete high school and engineering school though I was terrible in math through high school.
9. Almost died as a young adult from an allergic reaction to sea food, but for the actions of my quick thinking family.
10. Employment.
11. His favor in bringing a loving, caring woman into my life - my wife!
12. For his protection as my wife struggled through two rough pregnancies.
13. Gave me two beautiful children!
14. God's favor allowed for promotions in the most unexpected of ways
15. Hearing my (a sinner's) prayer to experience his Holy Spirit
16. God's gentle whispers guiding me along through troubled waters of life.
17. My wife's layoff from employment, though bitter in the beginning, turned out a blessing as she was able to go to college and pursue her desire.
18. Protection on the roads, keeping us safe in accidents that could have been fatal.
19. Escape from financial ruin and allowing for repayment of debts.
20. Purchase of our first family home - a vision that sustained my faith when all seemed to go no where.
21. Renovations of our new home and our my parent's home
22. School admissions for our children - God opened a door that was closed.

In the quiet moments when I reflect back on my life, I realize his mercy and goodness that has sustained me even when I walked a life separated from him.  Every day I see the Lord's grace at work in my life. He is walking with me! His Spirit goes ahead of me!

LORD I thank you for all that you are to me - my provider, my protector, my healer, my strength, my friend, my counselor, my teacher, my savior, Abba-Father!!!!

Philippians 4:6 - do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Hillsongs - Still