THANKFUL THURSDAY

Iris (www.eph2810.com) picked a wonderful subject to think on and write about today--PEACE. Who doesn't need peace in their lives? Who doesn't need to draw upon that quiet, precious peace that surpasses all understanding, that only the Lord can give? Who knows the feeling of God's peace right in the middle of the storm? I know He has done it for me on more than one occasion, and it certainly does surpass my understanding. On my own, I would have been miserable, and I would have failed in my efforts to summon the peace on my own. Sometimes, things are so oppressive, you couldn't bring peace if you tried and gave it all you had. Sometimes, you have nothing to give. But God...

“There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!” You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” ~ Psalm 4:6-8. This is the Scripture that Iris referred us to today. It is so fitting.

Today, speaking of peace then, I am thankful for:

• The peace that surely surpasses ALL human understanding.
• Where my help comes from; my help comes from the Lord.
• The peace He has given me, even in my illness (a virus) this week. The virus forced me to rest and think on Him.
• The peace He gave me in my sleep after I felt like I had been under attack that night (earlier). My husband and I laid awake and prayed together and read Scripture, after I had been going through some things earlier with a friend, finally drifted to sleep, only to be startled awake like I was being attacked in my sleep.
• The peace that He gives me after I pray and just leave the request at His feet and the results up to Him.
• The peace that He gives me when I just simply trust Him.
• The peace I feel (even when our budget is so tight that I can't see how a certain bill will be paid or a proper meal will be served) that God will take care of me. After all, He promised, and I trust Him. If He dresses the fields, takes care of the birds and animals, am I not more than they?

"Thank you Jesus, today and any other time, for the peace that you give and have so generously given. I am reminded by what You do, of who You are and who I am not. I am reminded of the things that I cannot do on my own. I like that, because if I could solve all of my problems and summon necessary peace, I would not need You, and I would become my own God. That's not the way it is though, nor the way it should be. I need you and am daily desperate for you. You are God."

Click on Iris' link above and see what others are so thankful for.