thankful.
Do you see what we've got? An unshakable kingdom! And do you see how thankful we must be? Not only thankful, but brimming with worship, deeply reverent before God. For God is not an indifferent bystander.
Hebrews 12:28 (The Message)
yesterday jenndean called for a hot sec and said "ashley middleton, you have a lot to be thankful for!" and she's right. not that i've been acting like an ungrateful bish or anything... just sometimes you have to stop and think about everything you've been blessed with. life recetly has been one big fat blessing and i'm fully aware that i'm one lucky girl. since 'tis the season... and i really like lists (the weirdest things make me happy), here's a concise listing of some things i have to be thankful for as of late:
- God in all of his awesomeness. like i said, the world is a beautiful place because He made it that way. He makes all things possible and it makes me happy thinking about it.
- my health. sure i might have a bit of a cough & sore throat... but i'm alive and well. this is a total blessing to me.
- i got my student teaching placement in caldwell county. oddly enough, i got south... which is where the duncans went to school. i'm excited about it.
- i have a boy... and he's pretty much the coolest, most amazing person ever. you have every right to be jealous.
- i have an awesome family. i've spent time fixing my jeep with daddy, baking with mom, laughing with heather and talking with brian since i've been home. i like them ok :)
- my friends are pretty much the best ever. they take care of me, laugh with me, keep me in check and all sorts of good stuffs.
- my church is too cool for words. my pastor makes me happy and makes me excited to learn about God (bonus points to him for being a cute old man). the congregation is filled with amazing, God-filled people. many of them are living miracles, but all of them are blessings to know. i can't even begin to think about my life without this church.
- i'm in the right place in my life. for so long, i'm great in one place, but lacking in something else. for the first time i feel like everything is where it's supposed to be. boone, all of my relationships (God, family, friends, boys), everything... it's like hardcore awesome. graduating is going to be a bit obstacle.
usually, i'm all about the little things, but today is a big picture day. i'm still thankful for walking outside for the first time in a day and being hit by sunshine as striking as a wide-toothed grin, laughing at a great joke. i'm still thankful for clear nights where the stars seem to come out of hiding and be outgoing and ever present like a bunch of friends recanting stories that make them feel every which emotion. i'm still thankful for naming the thanksgiving turkey (it's gilbert, this year) and having my mom give me a look that says "that girl is weird, but i love her." and i'm still thankful for the feeling i get when i wear my checkered vans (it makes me feel like the coolest kid ever!). today, i just feel like it's a big picture day. where my entire life is so full of blessings and i have so much to be thankful for that if i listed everything and how it made me feel, then i would be missing out on blessings that are just waiting to happen.
God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done.
2 Corinthians 9:8 (The Message)
this song has been stuck in my head, since we sang it the day i was baptized (nov. 13th, G!):
when upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
when you are discouraged thinking all is lost,
count your many blessings name them one by one,
and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Chorus:
count your blessings name them one by one.
count your blessings see what God hath done.
count your blessings name them one by one.
count your many blessings see what God hath done.
are you ever burdened with a load of care,
does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear.
count your many blessings every doubt will fly,
and you will be singing as the days go by.
when you look at others with their lands and gold,
think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold.
count your many blessings money cannot buy,
your reward in heaven nor your home on high.
so amid the conflict whether great or small,
do not be discouraged God is over all.
count your many blessings angels will attend,
help and comfort give you to your journey's end.
i hope everyone has a great thanksgiving! :)