(Just had to share 2 of those on the list!)
It began a few days ago,
Or possibly it was last week.
Honestly, I don’t remember.
But the list has really changed my perspective.
I don’t sleep well.
It’s common for me to wake up multiple times at night.
And it was one of those moments.
I found myself awake.
Darkness.
Quiet.
I use these moments for prayer.
Yet, exhaustion caused my mind to be slow, fuzzy.
My habit of thanking God for what is around me began.
“Lord, thank You for my warm bed.
Thank You for my soft blanket.
Lord, thank You-”
-pause-
It was a moment which changed my outlook.
“Thank You for my husband.
Thank You for Anne.
Thank You for Jase.
Thank You for Bell.
Thank You for Sissy.
Thank You for Timmie.
Thank You for baby.
Thank You for my mom.
Thank You for my sister.
Thank You for her husband….”
It went on and on.
And I’ve been thanking God for people since then.
Something about thanking Jesus for people by name has reminded me to pray for them.
As I thank God for the individual I remember circumstances or schedules or other things which I then stop and lift them up for.
And the Lord has made certain my list of thanks includes people who are difficult for me.
People I’m not always as thankful for as I might be.
As I thank God for them He reminds me to add things like forgiveness or healing of a relationship or just to grow love in my heart for them.
And it’s been sweet.
Precious time with the Lord.
Learning ever more about how precious people are to Him.
I still thank God for material things.
But the joy of spending more time thanking Him for people is greater.
I will continue to make the list of people I’m thankful for.
I want it to become as much a part of my every day as eating and breathing.
For in the list I’m learning even more about my wonderful Lord Jesus.
patientlyhopeful 