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Sometimes it is hard to hear about this being “the most wonderful time of the year” when life isn’t going exactly as one could hope. I’ll say that there are some things in my life that are going wonderfully at the moment and others that I wish I could change. Something God is teaching me this year is that regardless of what circumstances we find ourselves in we always have a reason to be joyful.
I want to challenge you all to do something for the remainder of the month…
Take a few moments each day to select three things in your life that you are thankful for and give thanks to God for it. For some of you this might be an easy challenge and for others it might be a little more difficult. Regardless, I’d be willing to guess that we all can think of something to be thankful for. Maybe it is your health, for a roof over your head, for a friend, a pet, or even your salvation.
I’ve found that this has really helped me to remain focused on the things that really matter. God asks us to keep our eyes focused on Him and not on the worldly things going on around us. When I begin to take my eyes off of the world and fix them on God it gives me a reason to be joyful for the wonderful gift that was born for me so many years ago!
Tammie says
1. I am thankful for my salvation.
2. I am thankful for the good deals that I find on Bargain Blessings!
3. I am thankful that even on the “cloudy days”, God is still there:
Measure not God’s love and favor by your own feeling. The sun shines as clearly in the darkest day as it does in the brightest. The difference is not in the sun, but in some clouds which hinder the manifestation of the light thereof. ~ Richard Sibbes
Hiltrishwes says
This web site is a blessing. Thank you for serving your sisters in Christ in such a sweet and helpful way.
Life is hard.
Trust the Lord.
Sometimes it is impossible to know why He says “no” , but we can be sure of His goodness and love, God is good, even when He doesn’t make things easy.
Luke 12:15 “The He said to them, watch out, be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Heather Osgood says
I have so many things to be thankful for! Sometimes during the hustle & bustle of the season we lose sight of what is most important. It’s not all about the presents. It’s about celebrating the birth of Jesus. The one who has completely & utterly changed my life! I’ve tried (& am continuing to try) to instill this in my kids. I will make it a point to have a more thankful attitude this season & maybe it will rub off on other people! 🙂
Ioana Barrie says
thanks Andrea for the good encouraging words that really hit home with me because I feel that I will never see my Romanian brother or sister, unless God performs a miracle, so I can have the chance of reuniting with my family back in Romania. I feel that God has called me back to Romania as a missionary( ever since I was 12) and the dream of it one day showing the love of Christ to my Romanian parents will be such a joy and a honour to do.
Ioana
Andrea says
Just pray God will open doors for you to go back to Romania as a missionary. Start looking and preparing your way, but in the mean time I would encourage you to keep making a difference right where you are. God sees your heart and he’s a preparing you 🙂
Isn’t it awesome how God gives us desires in our hearts to make a difference in the world? I love how God made my desires different than yours that way we can all make a difference in the world 🙂
Ioana Barrie says
Thanks Andrea for you encouraging word, I am saving up to get to Romania one of these days when I have the money and the right man comes along and sweeps me off my feet! Right now, I am trying to take a few Bible and mission classes and Mood Bible Instute but I have to waith until Jan. to register for classes. I am praying that God sends me a godly man in about 2 yrs. so I have time to save and get everything ready to become a good wife and missionary’s wife. As you can tell, I try to stay busy, and I am a piano teacher, so I have no time to waste.
Ioana
Ioana Barrie says
Thanks for sharing, because I have been struggling with some things that I wish that God could have changed some things in my life, like letting my Romanian brother and sister come from Romania with me. I was adopted at the age of 5 ,( and living with some of the world’s greatest Chrstian parents) and I got saved at the age of 7 and now I look t myself and I am shocked that I am 19 already! Where did time go? I wish that God had the answer.
Ioana
Andrea says
Ioana,
Your story touched my heart and I felt the desires to respond. Sometimes it can feel as God is not listening, but our prayers are not always answer on our time schedule, but His. Just know God DOES hear your prayers and He is preparing the way for your desires of your heart to be met. I would encourage you not to give up hope on your desires! He hears every word… NOTHING TOO BIG FOR HIM!!!! He has seen every tear you have cried and you are NOT alone here! Be blessed this Christmas and keep the hope!
~Andrea
Ioana Barrie says
Thanks for sharing, because I have been struggling with some things that I wish that God could have changed some things in my life, like letting my Romanian brother and sister come from Romania with me. I was adopted at the age of 5 ,( and living with some of the world’eatest Chrstia parents) and I got saved at the age of 7 and now I look t mysel and I am shocked that I am 19 already! Where did time go? I wish that God ha the answer.
Ioana