Don't lose focus

“If we fill our hours with regrets over the failures of yesterday, and with worries over the problems of tomorrow, we have no today in which to be thankful” ~ Unknown 

So I've been worrying over something the last 24 hours and I'm reminded of something Joyce Meyer says -- something to the effect of the fact that we have only one thought at a time (although sometimes rapidly in succession) and it's impossible to think about two things at once.  Therefore, we have to always utilize self control and make sure to "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."  (II Corinthians 10:5)  This way, victory is assurred.

It's my desire to be thankful today.  I can't let this day slip away without acknowledging the goodness of God in my life.  I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow.  Nothing is guaranteed but what He says, so that's all I can go on.  I have seen miracle after miracle after miracle occur and well -- I have to believe for this one.  Would you believe that at the moment I began to face a great potential challenge yesterday, Rita Springer's "I Have to Believe" came on the radio?  No kidding.  At the very moment I received some potentially bad news, "bam!" there it was, playing over the radio just for me.  I know God planned it that way and nobody could ever talk me out of it.

I'm so thankful for today.  God is so good to me!

I'm thankful for my family.  Yesterday we're riding down the road to take Savanna to spend some of her Christmas money, and Larry said something to me, but Savanna wasn't sure what he said or who it was to.  So she said, "What Daddy?  Were you talking to me?"  And Larry said, "oh no honey, I was just talking to the love of my life...that's all."  I'm married to a man who still calls me his "bride" after 22 years.  A man who got me a Kindle for Christmas although it's way too expensive IMHO.   A man who is very faithful. I'm thankful.

I'm thankful for my kids.  How many 20 year old sons will walk down the street with their Mom holding their hand and not get a little uncomfortable or hope their friends aren't around?   Not many...if any, and no my son is not a wimp.  He's just a boy who loves his Momma and when I show him affection he doesn't care who's around.  Actually I'm twice blessed because Jordan's the same way.  How many 18 year old boys will come lay a hand on their Mom's head and start praying for them when they don't feel good?  (And see a healing happen many times.)  Not many, but mine does.  How many Moms can say they have twelve year old daughters who talk about going on the mission field, or are so self assurred they have absolutely NO care as to what the kids think of what they wear to school?  (She's a trend setter, not a follower.)  Not many, but I can. I'm so thankful.

How many people can say that they have not just one but two jobs they love?  I've got the best boss in the world at both jobs!  Amazing.  And, I fully believe in both organizations I work for.  I don't just get a paycheck.  I am completely sold out to the mission, vision and core values of both places.  How many people can say that about their job?  Trust me, not many and that's a crying shame.  I'm so thankful for my jobs, and this year oh so thankful for God blessing me with Kathryn.

I'm thankful for my friends.  I have some of the most wonderfully supportive friends in the world.  I won't start listing them here because I don't want to leave somebody out and hurt anyone's feelings.  To be honest with you, many of those friends are in my church.  You are taught in Bible College never to have friends in the church if you are a pastor.  I decided a long time ago to not listen to that rule.  Some of my best friends are in the church.  I pity any pastor who doesn't have that, although I understand why many of them keep that rule in their lives, I'm not sorry for choosing otherwise.  I'm so thankful for my loving and supportive friends.

I am very blessed and very thankful of the life God has given me.  And I won't let even very real problems get in the way of my realization of that and cause my spiritual or emotional vision to blur.  I encourage you to be thankful too, despite whatever challenge or potential challenge you may be facing.