A Lesson In Being Thankful

I live a life, as you do, that doesn't go planned. We live in a fallen world. Hurt comes knocking in all forms.  Being made for perfection we long for the things in our life to be what they were meant to be. I struggle with several things. One thing I have been thinking alot on is the idea of connection. God made us to be in relationship. First and foremost with Him. Our vertical relationship is the most important. And then Secondly, to others, the body. As I reflect upon my life this theme is heavily tangled within many of the decisions I have made and the longings I have.
The other day I was lamenting to a friend about my feelings regarding my current state of connection. As she got off the phone she began to pray for me. Her prayers turned from praying for my current perceived need to being Thankful for our friendship. When she relayed this to me it caused me to begin thinking about my life and all the ways in which God has provided for me.
My eyes get caught up on the ways in which my life is not what it should be. For this I am repentant. I am thankful for this gentle reminder and blessed by the loving kindness of a friend to remind me. May this stay in the forefront of my thoughts when I am tempted to think otherwise.  

What I can learn about God from Children Part 0ne

My daughter Shannon often times struggles going to bed and gets up in the night. She has these fears which we cannot solve. We pray, sit with, comfort, sing, and reassure her. Our attempts to hold out Christ have been well received. However, sometimes just letting her crawl into bed and be comforted by us is just easier than "holding out Christ to her."
This got me thinking the other night. Shannon knows where to go with her fears. She comes to her parents who she trusts to find safety and comfort. We as parents want her to come to us with her fears and be able to tell us what is wrong and what she needs. What an example of God our "Abba Father." He desires we bring our wants, wishes, needs to Him.