Just thinkin...

So as Thanksgiving 2008 is a week old tomorrow, I've been thinking...Scary I know. Mostly I've been thinking about things I am thankful for. So here are a few...

The Life that God has given me
My Husband
My Lydia-yet another gift from God
My Jada-kicking daily to remind me she's on the way...
My Full Time Job as a Mommy-I feel so Blessed to be able to have this Dream Job!
Family
My Health
My Friends (old and new)
Reminders of God's Grace in past circumstances
Living in a free country
Warm baths
Fuzzy slippers

I'm sure there are some that I forgot to mention, but these stay pretty much at the top of my list daily. I am so grateful for the each of the precious gifts I have listed above and hope I never take any of these for granted.

I recently heard two stories that both have left a permanent mark on my heart. It's only appropriate that God brought these both to my attention in the week following a Holiday that we sometimes unfortunately just celebrate as "Turkey Day".

The first came from my husband. Jeff recently gave me an article to read which I was somewhat reluctant to read since it was a sports related article...most of the time-these are over my head. Anyway I read the article in it's entirety. After reading this article I was moved once again by the awesomeness of God. I highly recommend you read this. Here is the link-just cut and paste it into your browser.

http://clemson.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=882281

This man is truly an example of what being a Christian is all about.

The second story... Not only has it been a week since Thanksgiving, but it's been a week since the terrorist bombings in Mumbai, India. This morning as I was going about getting ready for the day to begin, I overheard a story on the news about a 2 year old who had lost both parents in the bombings. They were shot to death and the toddler was found crying beside their bodies-his pants soaked in their blood. This story has pierced my heart beyond measure. I stood there in my bathroom and weeped for this tiny soul and the parents he would grow up without. Please read this story...

http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/546870

I've found that both of these stories have one thing in common even though they are each on two different extremes. They both have us asking the questions...How did this happen? Why did this happen? Both are are on totally different levels I understand this, but I also know that in the first one, God took what seemed to be a hopeless situation and has turned it around for the good-even when a man could not see the bigger picture, he trusted that God was in control of his life. Then I look at the second story...how can anything good come out of these bombings? There is a little boy who watched both his parents being shot in cold blood and his life has been forever changed. I don't know the outcome of his story, but I know that God does. He sees his hurt, his tears, and hears his cries for his mommy and daddy. God is also going to supply his every need. He was spared for a reason, saved by a guardian angel (his nanny) and is now in the hands of a loving Jewish community who has adopted him as their own. He has the love of many people, let alone a whole country, surrounding him. God is yet again-using this hopeless situation and turning it around for His Good Purpose.

Both of these stories have encouraged me each in a different way this week-one through Inspiration, the other through Sadness. Each making me more and more Thankful for the Life God has given me and the people He has put in my life.