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THANKS ~ giving!

"Enter His gates with Thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise His name." Ps 100:4

I have seen this verse pop up a lot lately with the Thanksgiving holiday here and it's funny because this is the verse we're teaching our kids at school, but I really hadn't thought much about it's meaning until last weekend. I realized that I have soooooooo much to give thanks for and that's what this blog is about!

First and foremost, I want to give thanks to my merciful, loving maker and savior! I was lost, broken, lonely, depressed, desperate, angry, selfish, resentful, mentally and sexually broken, hateful, ( I could go on, but my self-esteem can't take it:-) I rebuked God and everything He and his people stood for! They were freaks to me, nerds, people with no lives, hypocrites and so on. I never thought I'd see the day where I would be so proud to be one of those "freaks"!!!!
My life is full of purpose and meaning, and all the love I was so desperately seeking, He gave me. And His love is far better than I had ever imagined it would be! I am thankful to no longer be in bondage to my past life and I am forever grateful for the new life I have been given!

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst." 1 Tim. 1:15

Thank you Jesus for your unconditional love and for giving your life so that I could be reborn with a passion and desire to serve and love only you!

Next, I am so thankful for my husband and children! I searched and searched to find someone so that I could have stability and love in my life. I never found it on my own! When I stopped focusing on my wants and realized I had a greater need (Jesus), He provided me with exactly what I needed! According to the world, every card was stacked against our relationship. I was a single mom, with two bi-racial children from different men. I was fiercely independent, bossy and angry most of the time. (If you ask my husband, he may say we're still working on some of those:-)

We met, 6 months later we were engaged, and within a year we were married! I have never experienced love like the love we have! Together, we have grown in our relationship with the Lord by leaps and bounds! The closer we grow towards God the closer Jarrod and I become to one another! I love my husband and the way he loves me! I also love the way he cares and provides for my children like they're his own!

Thank you Jesus for providing me with a Godly husband! Thank you for using him to show me what Godly love feels like and for showing me that I can trust others!

Along with my husband, I am thankful for my kids!! When I had my son Trevor at 16, I had no idea how to be a mother nor did I want the responsibility. Then a few years later we realized he had special needs. I was not a believer at the time so I handled it the best way I could, poorly!

I use to wish that I could go back and do things over with Trevor having the knowledge that I have now, but I am grateful that I can't go back because everything we went through brought us both closer to the Lord. God has helped me see my son for the humble, caring, creative blessing that he is, and I appreciate it so much more.

Thank you God for giving me Trev and thank you for using him to teach me patience and humility!

Oh, and little Miss Mackenzie! Jarrod says she's me, just a smaller version! Sassy, and ready to fight to the death for what she believes! There has been times that I have locked myself in the bathroom to get away from arguing with her! I know, it's sad, but true:-) But even through the battles, God has shown me the potential in her to be a great disciple for Him! I am thankful that He has entrusted me with such a precious gift!

Thank you God for giving me Kenzie and for using her to teach me patience and the need to train children up for a life serving you!

And my wonderful, wonderful friends! True friendship is something to be treasured today! I have been blessed with numerous people in my life who love me and care about me, but there are three people that God has been so gracious to share with me!

My beautiful friend Lisa! I love her dearly and God only knows why she has put up with me for over 21 years! We have shared everything and witnessed the good and bad in each others lives for over two decades! Lisa is the type of friend that even if I am dead wrong, she would never call me out in front of anyone! I can't think of a memory in my life that she is not a part of! She has always been there for me, and me for her! When I am down, she is always there to make me laugh! I can be myself with her, and she accepts that! When I stumble, she doesn't call my a hypocrite. She knew me before I was a believer and after, and she loved me all the same! I have watched her grow from a lanky, home perm wearing girl, to a beautiful, loving mother!

Thank you God for blessing my life with Lisa! Thank you for using her to teach me loyalty and the importance of forgiveness!

And another great friend in my A&W! I am sure there are hundreds of people with fond memories of her, but I like to think mine is the best:-) This girl loved me and never gave up on planting the seed of the gospel in my life! If I had a dollar for every time I heard her say," Today is the day of your salvation," I could retire! God used her to lead me to him and she was there when I prayed Him into my life! She never left me when I was carnal, and discipled me until I could stand on my own! She has always been the friend, that no matter how busy, I can call on her anytime, and I do!

Thank you God for sending Nicole into my life! Thank you for using her to open my heart and mind to your love and sovereignty!

Last, but far from least is my Ambi! What a blessing she has been in my life! It's awesome how God knows when we need certain people and He is always on time in providing us with them:-) This girl works with me EVERYDAY, we go to Sunday school and church together, she tutors my son, we do a Bible study together, and on, and on! You would think that we would be sick of each other, but I can't get enough of her! I probably call her every night of the week! She is the friend that will always tell me the truth whether I want it or not! She is such a Godly person that she keeps me accountable most times without saying a word! She knows the shameful secrets of my past and doesn't judge! When I stumble, she's there to brush me off and push me back out there!

Thank you God for putting Amber in my life to be that constant encourager that I need! Thank you for using her to teach me acceptance and the importance of a Christ centered life!

On this Thanksgiving, and everyday I give thanks, I will be grateful for the blessings, big and small in my life!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!