Thankful Thursday ~ God's Provision

Welcome to Thankful Thursday!

I am so thankful today for God's provision. He promises to give us all that we are in need of, not all that we want.

When you stop to think about what all we have and have been blessed with...how can we not be thankful?

But, how many times to we grumble and complain because we don't have this (or better version of what we already have), a new/better car, a bigger house, a new sweater or shoes, a vacation, can't go out to eat when we want to...are these needs or are they wants?

I am thankful for the roof over my head, the walls that shield me from the cold, a nice, warm, comfortable bed to sleep in tonight. (if I ever get there, lol) There are millions of people sleeping on the cold concrete, a park bench, huddled in a doorway, covered by cardboard to shield them from the bitter cold winds.

Hmmmm...does it make you thankful for your home?

It might not always be what we want it to be and yes, we are human...we like nice things. There is nothing wrong with that, but there is still a difference in needs (necessities) and wants (unnecessary desires).

I am thankful that it is my choice to eat junk food today or a healthy meal. There are many people tonight that don't have that luxury. They might be eating out of a dumpster, at a soup kitchen with other homeless people...not sitting down at the table with their family, some haven't had a hot meal in a long time and others...haven't eaten a meal in several days.

Does it make you thankful that you can at least afford to buy the generic brands of canned goods. It does me!

I am thankful that I have the choice to turn my heat on tonight and sleep comfortably...safe and secure from all the outside elements...not just the weather, but murders, thieves and all other kinds of evil that lurk in the dark of night.

We don't turn our gas heat on during the winter time because I don't want to pay expensive gas bills, plus, after a hysterectomy and hormones...I stay hot. We run electric heaters and it keeps our home as warm as we like it. But, there again...it is our choice. We don't get cold because we don't have any other way to stay warm.

In March 2008, I was in Atlanta when Brandon had his wreck and I haven't ever "really" seen homeless people before this. Every morning when I would leave the hospital to go to the hotel to shower and get a nap before returning to the hospital...I would see the doorways to businesses (both ones that would be open for business within an hour and boarded up store fronts) crowded with homeless people sleeping, covered with cardboard boxes or raggedy old blankets. There were many that were huddled together on the downtown park benches.

What a reality check and a humbling experience!

Regardless of how I feel today about any situation like our present economy, whatever I might be personally or even the worst place that I have been in the past...I am still so blessed compared to many people in this world.

I am so thankful today for God's provision in all areas of my life.

2 Corinthians 4:8, 9
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; (9) persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (NIV)

Psalm 23:1
The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need. (New Living)

Philippians 4:19
You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. (Message)

Are you blessed today? Are you thankful for God's provision for your every need?

For more Thankful Thursdays, visit Iris at Grace Alone.