Undeserving But So Thankful

"Undeserving but so thankful" is a phrase used in my blogger bio that sums up how I feel about many things. Because an era of entitlement seems to have overtaken society and an attitude of ingratitude increasingly prevails, it is more important than ever to frequently remind oneself to count one's blessings and acknowledge from Whom they came.

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.

Praise Him, all creatures, here below.

Praise Him above, ye Heavenly hosts.

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

So that's what this post is about...a few things for which I'm thankful tonight spurred on by recent answers to prayer.

America...how blessed to be born a citizen of the best nation on earth! She started right, may she finish well.

Mom and Dad...wouldn't be here if they hadn't been committed to God, their vows and love. Their exemplary love made me want a family of my own.

Tim...my best friend, who makes me laugh and love him more every day. I'd say something mushy-gushy but no one wants to read that ;)

Ella...my firstborn. What 2-year-old says the things she says? My God-given responsibility is to teach her, but God often uses her to teach me.

Lucy...my baby, full of faces. Yes, she's colicky, but my moody, broody baby has the most beautiful smiles, however few and far between they may be.

Haven Baptist Church...they're a little wacky; they're family; it's a good fit for us.

Pastor Gable...you won't find a preacher who puts more into his messages to feed God's people.

Lehigh Valley Hospital...a great place to work, with management who cares about you, a good team of coworkers and an awesome weekend shift. Since I gotta work, I'm glad I work there; and if you're sick, it's the place to be.

And saved the best for last...

Where would I be without Jesus?...I learned and believed early in life that He died for my sins, something that changed life then and continues to affect its every aspect now. It blows my mind to think that Almighty God gave His precious Son as the only sacrifice for my wretched sin so that I might be made clean and right before Him as a blood-bought child of God.

This list is in no way comprehensive, just thinkin' of a few things of which I'm undeserving but so thankful.

It's Beautiful Out Here

I learned a sweet little lesson from one of the good gifts God has given me...

We have an unattractive backyard, enclosed by a dilapidated fence unworthy of repair, in need of demolition. The ground is covered by weeds, not grass, and for whatever reason a previous owner of the property thought gravel would be a suitable ground cover. We store our stinky trashcans and recycle bins back there, a grill, sawhorses, bicycles and bike rack, and random pieces of lumber. I try to organize this hodgepodge of clutter every time it's time to hack down the weeds, but it always looks like junk. And I let it get me down. Clutter equals chaos in my mind. I envision the pretty patio and newly fenced-in space Tim and I talk about where our girls will be safe to play and enjoy the sunshine. But I saw that ugly thatch of ground in a new light today. I had to take out the trash, a job I frequently ask my husband to do because though I'm more than capable I've always thought big, strong men should take out the trash. Anyhow, I was doing it, and Ella wanted to help. So we made it out the back door, a small feet in itself given the current state of chaos my storage room is in; and Ella stepped outside into her unattractive backyard. Only she didn't see it that way. While I deposited the overfilled trash bag into a container, she took in her surroundings. I turned around to see her arms outstretched and her twirling saying happily, "It's beautiful out here, it's beautiful out here."

In that moment God's sweet Holy Spirit used my two year old's words to break up a hard spot in my heart. The backyard is not perfect, it's far from complete, but little eyes can look beyond and see the beauty it possesses, namely it's illuminated by Heaven's light. Ella's comment gave me a new perspective on my backyard, something to ponder as I view my life and others, and a sweet memory to keep of her and what a blessing she is to my life.