giving thanks always...

Tonight I was pondering the implications of thankfulness and gratefulness, and was humbled by how many times I get caught up in the mundane of the everyday.  I complain about the things that irritate me, I let little things that slip into my day tick me off and I forget that God has a plan for everything He allows into my life!  He has something to teach me through every irritation, so instead of blowing off about the things that rub me the wrong way; I need to learn to take them to God and thank Him for them.  Really, I pray many times that I would become more like Christ, and usually His ways of teaching me those lessons are not the easy way.

There are a few things tonight that I'm particularly thankful for...and I want to share them with you.

1. Jesus Christ and His gift of salvation!  This Christmas season has left me thinking a lot about the beautiful gift He brought us and the way He loves us so.  It's only by and through Him I'm able to live and move.  His salvation has granted me life eternal in the future and His presence by my side each day here on earth.  I love my Father!

2. The ability to dream dreams and to be visionary.  To look into the possibilities of the future and yet know that whatever my Father brings my way is best.


3. My dear family and their support of me following Christ's leading.  Their support and stability has made me who I am today!

4. My amazing friends.  I have the best in the world! =)  Friends from long ago, newer friends from Hillcrest.  I am who I am because of their influence.  My world is expanded and enriched by the marvelous gift of brothers and sisters in Christ.

5. Leaders and authorities who really care about what's happening in my life and who are willing to give of themselves on my behalf.

6. Adoption!  Just the word sends a thrill through my heart.  I'm thankful for the beauty of adoption both spiritually and physically.  The beauty of an abandoned child becoming part of a family.  God's heart beats for the orphan, and it's absolutely beautiful.

7. My elderly resident friends.  They mean so much to me and I've learned ever so much from them.  Some of those little ladies have wound me all around their little finger, and I delight to serve them.

8. The beauty of singleness and the opportunities it holds.  The adventures one can have, you never know just when or where you will end up next!  I choose to be thankful for the gift of singleness and embrace it with a living passion.

9. The promise of an eternity beholding the face of Jesus Christ- our Redeemer and Saviour!  How I long for the day when I'll be there, forever free from the cares and disappointments of this earth.

10. For physical, material blessings that I've been so abundantly blessed with.  May I use all I own to glorify and further the kingdom of Christ in this life.  He is worthy!  His grace is sufficient for whatever He calls me to!

It's the tip of the iceberg, but I'd like to see Christians being more of a joyful, thankful people!  Let us encourage those around us to live in the moment, rejoicing in what God has given us right now. 


be blessed,
kim

heart throbs of goodbyes

11 months ago when I came to Hillcrest, still reeling from the harsh goodbyes of home, I had no way of looking into the future and realizing that mere months down the road I'd be shedding tears into my pillow after another one of the hardest goodbyes of my life. There's nothing like sharing most of life together and then suddenly it all coming to an end in a flurry of a farewell, a volley ball game, a breakfast at Ranch House and a hug.

But it's not a really goodbye.  I like to think of it as a "see ya later".  Even if something happens along the way and we don't see each other on this earth again, with the hope we as Christian's carry, we know that one day will we be spending all eternity together in heaven!  As a human struggling to live life in a fallen world, there are days that my heart aches within me in a passionate cry of "Lord, come quickly and take us HOME to be with you forever!!"  Home, gathered around the throne of the Lamb; praising and worshiping Him forever! Home, where goodbyes will never be known, where tears will never be shed and where hearts will never ache.  Home, where the tender chords of the heart will swell in joyful adoration to the One who has made it possible for us to live with Him forever! 

I look forward to that day with all my heart and I want everyone to be there with me! Rosene Ringler, I shall miss you tremendously here at Hillcrest, but know that someday we WILL be together again FOREVER!  And for all the rest of my dear friends and family, that's a promise I cling to as well!  Will you promise me that we'll share heaven for all eternity?