Wednesday, December 10, 2008

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.

20 comments:

  1. This was beautiful, bless you dear one.

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  2. Jenn, a great reminder to us during this Christmas season to take time to reflect just how blessed we are. Your post reminded me of the trip that we took to LA where we visited the Dream Center. One of the things that I got to do was go out on the streets of LA and feed the people who were living in cardboard boxes under the bridge. They would line up and smile so big. I was the one serving the food on their plate and I can remember standing there as each face came by with their plate and tears just rolled down my face. Later when we went back to the dream center where we stayed, the young girls that were with me on that foodline just broke down and wept. We all just held each other and cried and before we knew it the entire youth group had gathered around us and the Holy Spirit fell ( I mean F E L L ! !) right there in the hallway of that place. What a humbling, life changing experience. I will never forget it or forget how blessed I am to have a roof, a furnace, a kitchen full of food and a soft pillow.

    We may not have much...but there is someone who has less!

    love ya girl, Laurie

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  3. You have such a thankful heart! I am very thankful for having a roof over my head. God bless you always!

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  4. Those are indeed sweet things we should all be thankful for.

    My Thankful Thursday entry is posted here. Please drop by if you have the time.

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  5. That first verse is one of my favorites and I love the song Trading My Sorrows based on that verse. Happy TT and thanks for reminding us of how truly blessed we are!

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  6. Living near Washington DC, it is always provoking to walk the streets of our nation's capital and see the many people who make their homes over steam grates, under bridges and on a park bench. Many of us have sooooo much to be thankful for, even if it is name brand or expensive! Thank you for the reminder to see the abundance in our lives. Blessings to you,
    Denise

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  7. Jennifer,

    What a beautiful thankful heart you have. I'm thankful for provision too. And mindful of those less fortunate.

    Thank you for sharing your compassionate heart with us today. ((hugs)) to you today, my friend.

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  8. What a reminder to us all that we have so much to be thankful for... many times the very things we take for granted!

    Happy Thankful Thursday!

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  9. What a great post! I am humbled and amazed at how blessed I am and my heart breaks for those less fortunate than I. Happy Thankful Thursday!

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  10. I too went to the Dream Center on the mission with our church. It was the most humbling expierence I have ever had. We went to Skid Row and prayed with the homeless there. I was so moved at their upbeat and thankful attitude that it moved me to tears.We should all be so very thankful for the truly rich blessings that God has given us.

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  11. We have so much to be thankful for. I try not to take forgranted things like shelter, warmth and all the things you listed. God has blessed my family so much.
    This is my first visit to your blog...I will be back to read more.
    Have a fabulous day!
    Darlene

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  12. I make a point to thank the Lord everyday for what he has seen fit to give us.
    This is a beautiful post.

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  13. Yes, indeed, I am thankful for God's provision. And you are right, there is a huge difference between our needs and our wants. But because He is loving, God often supplies our wants too.

    Hope your day is blessed,
    Patti

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  14. The things we take for granted... thanks for reminding us to not take anything for granted, but to give thanks for everything...

    Blessings!

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  15. This was an awesome post Jenn! Thank you for the reminder! I will choose to be thankful for those things also regardless of other situations!

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  16. Hi,
    Your blog is really interesting... Good Luck... You are welcomed to my blog…….
    Wishing you in advance "A Merry X'Mas and A Happy New Year''

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  17. over the years, especially after i experienced so much pain in my marriage, i learned to thank God in spite of. this was one of the things God taught me to do everyday.

    God bless you, jennifer. ♥

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  18. Amen, girl. This was beautiful, and I needed to be reminded of it. I am so thankful for my warm home, and my warm clothes, and my warm food.

    My children did an event where they slept outside in cardboard boxes (in the rain) and they had to fast too. It really hit home the exeriences that people are facing every day. Except that my kids got to go home, they don't.

    BTW, about your comment: well, at least my puppy probably put them at ease, lol!

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  19. Yes, what a great reminder of all the many blessings we have.

    Great post!!

    Blessings♥

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  20. You are right, we are so blessed. Thank you for stopping by my blog & following along. I will do the same.
    Thank you also for the great post!

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Thank you for stopping by today and sharing your heart felt thoughts with me. As we ride "Through the Storms of Life" together, chances are...your situation is different than mine. However, we serve the same awesome God, King of Kings who is in complete control and it all belongs to Him anyway...He wants to give you the very best. Be encouraged my friend, God loves you!

Thank you again for taking the time to visit me at "Through the Storms of Life".

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