I Am Most Grateful For...

Gratitude and thankfulness seem to be severely lacking in our world at times. People expect others to cater to their needs yet often when they do, there is not even a word of thanks. This attitude can even rear its head in the way we treat God. How often have you or I prayed and then forgotten to give God our gratitude, praise and the glory when He answers, often even more wonderfully than we could have imagined?

So today, on the eve of my 31^st Birthday I thought l would share some of the things I am most grateful for in my life. This 31-yr-long journey has taught me so much, given me so much.

 I’m grateful for:

1.      God’s grace that called me into His family and the salvation won for me through Jesus and His death on the cross. Ephesians 1 is truly a passage of scripture to which I aspire to live my life. 

2.      God’s Word which helps me learn more about God, his mighty plan of salvation and what He expects of me. His word come alive in the last few years has astounded me. I am humbled at His word at work in my life Psalm 32:8 is my latest inspiration. 

3.      Discovering the privilege of prayer and knowing the value of praying for others, as well as being prayed for. May I continue to grow in this area of my life, may I truly become a prayer warrior, understanding that “prayer is the slender nerve that moves the hand of omnipotence” in every circumstance and situation that is yet to confront me on this life journey.  

4.      My incredible family! I feel incredibly blessed and fortunate that Ben & Liz are my parents and that Vimbai & Tino my sister and brother. I love that we go to church, pray and share God’s word at home together. The older I get the more I am grateful for these four people who have shared my life, these four people are my truest champions and fans. What incredible memories of fun times we’ve had together J 

5.      The gift of friendship. Thank you Lord that I have amazing people who I can call my friends. People, who have sown into my life, people who’ve had the courage to speak up to bring about love, correction, discernment, joy, companionship. At every turn through every season of my life Lord you have supplied me with good, strong and positive influence through my choice of friends. May you bless each one, and grow within me the capacity to give of myself in love to each in return.  

6.      For my church we are part of and the concern for each other shown in this church. The rich word that is preached every Sunday. For spiritual growth that is helping me become who I have been designed to be. For the feeling of belonging.  

7.      God’s material provision in my life. (Education, job/career; house, food, clothes etc) May you continue to teach me to be a good steward of those things which you have placed in my life and my care. 

8.      Good Health! Though I haven’t really faced any serious illnesses in the past, I am grateful for the healing power of God. I am also grateful for more grace to face chronic conditions and the appreciation that this body is the only one I will ever have. Its health is integral in my ability to be used of God during this life time.  

9.      God’s divine protection! 2009 was a hallmark year, having survived a car accident where the car was a write-off and pulling through an armed robbery where the thugs locked me up in my office and I had to escape through a window(at night). Psalm 91 was my pillar then, and each day I am grateful for this gift of life because I am ever aware that it’s by grace that I see each day. Eternity is but a breath away.

 

10.  The beauty of life all around me. From the flowers which I have learnt and am still learning to lovingly nurture and grow in my own garden; to the unconditional love and acceptance of my pet dogs. To sunrises and sunsets; mountain vistas and forests. Creation declares the glory of God. Life is beautiful, every day.  

11.  The gift of music! How awesome it is to sing along, play, or just listen to music. I am grateful that there is always a song for every mood, for every memory for every life occasion.  

12.  Books! I can’t imagine a world without books. I’m thankful for writers who write the kinds of books I like to read and for variety in reading. 

13.  Imagination. Without imagination and creativity we would have no books, no stories, no art, no craft, inventions and spectacular l buildings.

  

14.  Words to communicate to my loved ones and friends how much they mean to me and words to use in my writing. Poetry - I love the way words can be used to make different and beautiful patterns of sound and meaning. 

I could go on and on and on... I am learning that it is important to pause often and show sincere gratitude and have the attitude of thanks-giving to God and to those people he’s woven into our lives. Even after putting these sentiments down, I am most grateful that so far, though life is not perfect (and will never be); these last 31 yrs have been a tapestry of true wealth and riches because of every experience I have gone through.

A true work of art has both hues of bright colour, as well as the dark. Thank-you Lord that as I celebrate 31 yrs of living, you are the master painter...you make it all beautiful in the end.