Colossians 3 - "Gratitude"

Sometimes I feel so helpless. One of those times was receiving a phone call and not having good phone service to be able to talk. Thankfully I was able to text to converse with one who was going through a difficult situation. I am thankful for today's technology that takes care of such times. I also am thankful for Cait's hotspot that allowed me to do my blog this morning with no wi-fi. God provides in some ways we don't even realize. I prayed for the drive over to the campground yesterday to be uneventful and asked for the rain to not cause issues. The rain stopped before we got out of Beaufort Country which was a great blessing. We saw a near accident between a semi, emergency squad, and another car. Thankfully we were not in harm's way but some quick prayers went up for those who were. Phone service is not the greatest and with me having a full schedule I was blessed to have Doug suggest we set a time to pray for one another so we would still be connected. Oh my, he blesses me in abundance. Having a man praying for me again is priceless. Baby Riley sleeping eight hours last night was another blessing. I was so happy for Cait to get good rest. When he woke this morning, he ate and went right back to sleep. Another blessing for her to get some more rest. I have so much to be grateful for. I know I don't always show my gratitude but I try to do so. I am reminded this morning of the song "Gratitude" that Brandon Lake sings...

So I throw up my hands
And praise You again and again
'Cause all that I have is a
Hallelujah, hallelujah
And I know it's not much
But I've nothing else fit for a king
Except for a heart singing
Hallelujah, hallelujah

Paul's writing in Colossians 3 tells us to be clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (vs 12). It continues by giving us direction to forgive one another (vs 13) as God forgives us and to love with His love (vs 14). As we live in this manner we will be filled with His peace. I experience His peace often in the midst of the storms of life and am grateful for such peace. I try to share that peace with others going through difficult days by loving them, sharing my life experiences, etc. Verse seventeen is a verse we all need to put into practice each day. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Dear Jesus, Thank You for all the ways You bless me! I am so grateful for the prayers Doug says for me! What a blessing he is in my life! Thank You for promising him to me a year ago! Thank You for the safe travels coming to the campground yesterday, the meetings last night, and the ones today along with safe travels home this evening! I pray for Cait and the others as they go through their day with assessments. May both the assessors and those being assessed be blessed in the process. I pray Your peace over many going through difficult times. My Momma; my sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; my brother Richard; Ben and Colleen; Pete and Delores; Steve; Marion; Cait; Rhonda; Mike; Norma Hall; Sharon Sebolt and her parents; some young ladies with anxiety; a young man out of rehab who needs strength in his daily walk; Mary Lilley; a husband/father separated from his wife; Brooklyn; Kristen Batten; April; Ashley Foor; families in turmoil; Gay and Doug; Sherry; and many others. I also pray healing prayers over many who are dealing with 'c' and/or going through treatments...Katelyn; Chrissy's cousin; Shirley Jones; Cait's friend with leukemia; my pastor friend with daily chemo; Little Ivy; Little Judson; Little Roselynn; a young girl in our community; a lady whose breast cancer has returned; a lady diagnosed with stage two breast cancer; a lady diagnosed with throat cancer; Sue Danhoff's husband Harv; Michele with breast cancer; and Damon who was recently diagnosed with nasal cancer. I pray for: the Long Family, Becky, Russ, a couple contemplating divorce and another couple having serious issues, and my friend Rosemary. Thank You for continued healing for: Pastor Tommy and Pam and for little Weston. I praise You for continued reconciliation for a father and his prodigal daughter. Thank You for being My Gratitude Maker! Amen.