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The good news of the kingdom is not freedom from hardship, suffering, and loss. It is the news of a Redeemer who has come to rescue me. ~Paul Tripp

Won’t you please join me in saying hello to our guest blogger today...my life-long friend Sarah! I asked her to write a post on gratitude after reading her Facebook status...


"I must remember to be thankful today and count all my blessings... after thinking about friends and family I know that are in need of different things... I can count myself lucky and blessed..."

This is my status on facebook this morning...thinking about different things...my friends and everyone I have come in contact with lately. I don't know why, but it occurred to me that as I lay thinking I have the worst problems, I realized each of my friends are struggling somewhere in their lives. Why that was an enlightenment, I don't know, but I do know all of us needs prayer and cheer.

...a bumpy father/daughter relationship
...a resentful husband who discovered his wife was cheating on him
...a friend who attempted to take her own life this past Saturday
...an army wife aching whose husband is in Afghanistan putting his life in danger
...the homeless who have nowhere to go but under the bridge here in town
...the young children my friend served at the soup kitchen
...and then myself, struggling with the ups and downs of depression, confused feelings, happiness, sadness

I sit here trying to figure out who I am and where I stand... but instead of analyzing my situation, I need to BE THANKFUL and count my blessings the Lord has given me.

THANKFUL for another day of life. A life I am blessed to have in all my circumstances. I may be like the lost lamb that has wandered from the flock but I am blessed and comforted to KNOW that God will always take care of me and give me what I need.

I am a child of God and just for that reason alone I am thankful
I am thankful for my all-forgiving husband who stands by me in my mistakes
Thankful for my home... leaky roof and all
Thankful for my reliable car
Thankful for my friends that are true and put up with my moods
TONS of things to be thankful for, the list goes on

There is a reason why God allowed me to see what I saw this morning. I don't know if it is because I have been feeling ungrateful or maybe sorry for myself lately, but regardless... this is not how we are supposed to live... we are supposed to thankful in everything... not comparing to one another. Being content.

One of my favorite verses is, "Don't worry about anything; instead Pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done" Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

So for me, I must remember to not worry about anything, pray about everything, and thank God for EVERYTHING... we are all human and we all struggle... but {even in the midst of hardships} let’s count our blessings and be thankful!

Thanks so much Sarah! Right perspective is elusive, especially when the chips are down; when the chip on our shoulder is large; when troubles are larger than life. Reminders to let go and flow with gratitude are vital...I appreciate you bringing our attention to this truth! Love you girl!