in the presence of greatness

Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise!

- Psalm 95:2 (ESV)

 

This is a really powerful verse!

We are allowed, encouraged and welcomed into the presence of the King!

We can take everything, every little thing to our Father and He will listen, He is a wonderful Father.

Song reference:

Found in Your hands, fullness of joy

Every fear suddenly wiped away here in Your presence

All of my gains now fade away

Every crown no longer on display, here in Your presence

Heaven is trembling in awe of Your wonders

The kings and their kingdom are standing amazed

Here in Your presence, we are undone

Here in Your presence, Heaven and Earth become one

Here in Your presence, all things are new

Here in Your presence, everything bows before You

Wonderful, beautiful, glorious, matchless in every way

Wonderful, beautiful, glorious, matchless in every way

Even when I am hurting, even when I am asking “why” while watching my mother suffer through her illness, I am always thankful for His presence in my life, because I would not have my life without Him.

 

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it’s really sad

So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

- John 16:22 (NIV)

 

December can be a very trying month.

People suffer from seasonal affective disorder (depression associated with late autumn and winter and though to be caused by a lack of light), and dealing with holidays after loved ones are no longer here on earth.  
Personally I am dealing with my own grief right now, having placed my mother in hospice care yesterday.
I have known this day would come since she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2008 but I guess I had always hoped that she would pass quickly and painlessly rather than have to endure the suffering that she has. 
The whole situation has me experiencing a whole gamut of emotions. 

We all deal with our depression, sadness and mourning in different ways, but one thing to remember is this – we have joy in Jesus.

This verse is set in the middle of the conversation that Jesus had with His disciples shortly before He was arrested, He is telling the disciples that He is going to die, but that they will see Him again.

He is telling them that it is OK for them to mourn, that when they see Him again, they will rejoice!

We can be assured by the words of Jesus that one day, we will see our loved ones again.

Someday we all will be reunited, not only with our own families and loved ones, but also with the people of God from all ages.

In heaven we will all be one loving family, a huge family, and we will spend our eternity in rich, unending fellowship with those we loved here on Earth.

Yes, it definitely is acceptable to mourn the passing of a loved one, we have to process these losses and still remember that we’ll be with them again.  
Our sorrow will turn to joy when we rest our gaze on the face of our Heavenly Father, and go running to His arms.

 

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wait for it

 The smallest family will become a thousand people, and the tiniest group will become a mighty nation. At the right time, I, the LORD, will make it happen.

- Isaiah 60:22 (NLT)

 

Patience is not one of my strong virtues, anyone that knows me will vouch for me on that.

Many times though, God tells me to wait.

All things happen in God’s timing, not ours.

We don’t always know what is right for us, but God does.

We may want that new job at a different company, but God knows that if we leave now we will miss a great opportunity, so we wait.

We desperately desire that brand new car or truck, but God knows that we are going to need that extra money for something far more critical in the future, so we wait.

We might have a yearning for something that seems so easy for someone else, but we struggle daily just to even keep praying for that event in our lives, but God has perfect timing for everything, so we wait. 
We watch loved ones struggle, their quality of life decreasing and the light in their eyes fading, yet God does not bring them home until He is ready.  

We will probably never understand why we have to wait, but God is going to make it happen, His way, in His timing.

It probably will be nothing like we expected but because we waited for God it will be 1000 times better.  

 

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one more thing

 I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts He has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. Through Him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge.

- 1 Corinthians 1:4-5 (NLT)

 

Last week we talked about being thankful for different things.

I want to bring up one more thing for which I am thankful – the pastors and leadership at my church home.

Pastors work way more than a 40 hour week.

Most of the time they don’t get to celebrate the holidays on the actual holiday with their families.

They go to be with people at all hours of the day and night, to sit with them when they are sick, to pray with them when they are lost.

The pastors and leadership at my church home have gone above and beyond expectations in taking care of their church.

I have learned so much from the sermons and the time spent with these people and their families.

I have experienced first hand one of the leaders literally dropping everything to be at my house when I was in need, at the hospital when I was sick.

These people have truly filled this verse, and I am thankful.

 

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still thankful

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 

- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 

Today is known as the biggest shopping day of the year.

It has been named “Black Friday” because historically on this day businesses would sell enough merchandise to “get out of the red” on their books and end the year strong.

It has morphed into an repulsive event with people fighting over items and just being ugly to one another (after just 12 hours prior talking about love and family and being thankful!)

I blame the Cabbage Patch Kids riots of 1983 for setting the stage for the craziness that we now know, but I was a fourteen year old in 1983 and my parents were not part of that craze. 

But I digress.

I am still thankful, but this verse about giving thanks in ALL circumstances?

That is a hard one.

How do we give thanks for the difficult things in life, the things that make us sad, the things that hurt, the things that feel like the world is coming down around us?

As I scrolled back through my posts over the years, I found this one to be especially poignant today, oddly enough on November 20, 2017 I used this same verse and here is what I had to say back then: 

This week we celebrate Thanksgiving day here in the U.S. and I am sure that many of you, myself included, are busy planning and preparing and perhaps traveling to celebrate this day with family and friends. 

As we prepare for the food, fellowship and football, don’t miss the greatest gift that you already have - Love.

Be thankful for your home – many are homeless.

Be thankful for food – many are hungry.

Be thankful for warm blankets and clothing – many are cold.

Be thankful for friends and family – many are alone.

Be thankful for pets – many have never known unconditional love.

Be thankful for courage – many live in fear.

Be thankful for freedom – many have died for your rights.

Be thankful for your car – many have to walk miles every day, no matter the weather.

Be thankful for children – many have been taken.

Be thankful for police, firemen, and EMTS – they are working while you enjoy your day.

Be thankful for the military – many will not be with their family and friends this year.

Be thankful for education – many don’t have the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for your faith – many are persecuted for their beliefs.

Be thankful for this email – many can’t read.

Be thankful for the annoying Christmas music that started November 1^st – many can’t hear.

Be thankful for your job – many are unable to find employment.

Be thankful for laughter – many know only pain and sorrow.

This year I think we can add to that: 
Be thankful for your health – many are sick. 

Be thankful for the storms you have overcome – many struggle with their storms.

Be thankful for your church – many have not found their place to worship.

Be thankful for technology – we would have lost touch with so many without the wonders of technology.

Be thankful for love – the love of God surpasses any other love we have ever felt, and there is no greater gift.

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Happy Thanksgiving

Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.

- 1 Chronicles 29:13 (NIV)

 

Today I am thankful for pretty much everything.

I look around the house and I see family gathered together to cook, eat, play games and praise God.

I am thankful that we have a family that still makes an effort to celebrate together, even though miles separate us at times.

I hope that everyone can enjoy a meal, maybe watch the parades or some football.

In the middle of the food and fun, remember to give thanks to God.

We wouldn’t have anything to celebrate if it weren’t for Him.

 

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planes, trains and automobiles

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.

- Psalm 100:4

 

I should have named this one cars, trucks and motorcycles.

On this week’s challenge of finding something to be thankful for every day and focusing on how that something has been a blessing, today I choose transportation.

I am thankful for transportation.

This afternoon my husband and I will begin our journey to the great white north to spend Thanksgiving with his family.

This trip today almost did not happen for me, as my 91 year old mother who has Alzheimer’s disease fell yesterday morning and broke her right hip (broke her left one in June 2017), so I felt like I needed to stay here since she had surgery last night. 
After much conversation with the doctors and the hospital last night and this morning, we have determined that since I am not able to visit her at the hospital (or the skilled care facility) due to Covid restrictions, I am really of no use here, so I will go. 
I normally don’t look forward to the drive and this drive has been made in a car, in a truck and yes even on motorcycles. 

What I do look forward to is spending time with family. 
Family has always been important to me, and this year due to some health challenges it is more important than ever that I appreciate my family.

As we cross each state line I am thankful for whatever mode of transportation that is bringing us closer to our childhood homes. 
As we enter his parents’ house, I am thankful for the ability to spend this time with family.

As we worship with family on Sunday morning, I am thankful for the freedom to worship my Lord without fear.

Thankfulness is not just an emotion, it is a choice and a state of mind.

So take a moment now and ask yourself: What can I be thankful for?

How can I praise God’s name today?

Don’t be surprised to see your heart change as you do, because praise and thanksgiving is designed to take our eyes off of ourselves and place them on the One who has the power to change us.

 

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