Carriers of Faith: Thankful

It's March 9th and time for the monthly post for Carriers of Faith.  This month I chose the theme and this is what I gave the group:

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I've been thinking a lot about prayer lately. Then last night I was talking with a friend at church and she said "don't you sometimes feel like our prayers are list a list of requests?". That really challenged me. Yes, we are supposed to take our needs and requests to Him. But our prayers should also be about praise and worship - about thanking Him for ALL He has done for us. These verses are short - but the are packed with power! "Rejoice evermore". It's a choice you know? I chose to rejoice because He has made me exceedingly glad! I chose to rejoice even when things are difficult because He will bring me through and He is right by my side!

So what am I asking for with regards to your posts and pictures? Two things:
1. Share about something that you are thankful for....not the big things that everyone is always thankful for - but those little things that we seem to overlook...that we take for granted.
2. Share about why you rejoice and why you worship Him.

And there is one last part to this challenge. The prayer part. Before you sit down to write your post, pray and ask God to direct your words and your heart. And when you are done writing your post, pray for people who will read your post...that they will somehow be challenged or blessed...that the Lord will speak to them through your words and your blog.

I've been thinking about what to post here...and praying about it.  It's so hard to chose just one thing. So I want to tell you a story.

It was the summer of 1967.  She had already been through so much in her very young life.  She was only 14 years old and had given birth to a baby boy just a few months earlier.  Her mom and dad had decided to raise him as their own son and adopted him.  One evening while her parents were out bowling, her brother's friend came over - he was 18 and she was needing to feel loved.  Shortly after that night she found out she was pregnant for a second time.  When she told her parents, they were so angry!  In those days there were homes for unwed mothers and her parents sent her to one where she stayed until she had her baby.  Her parents couldn't take another baby in and so this one would have to be given up for adoption.  For most of her pregnancy her mom wasn't speaking with her...but shortly before the birth, they did patch things up.

The day came - April 8, 1968 - and she gave birth.  She wasn't able to see her daughter - they took her right away.  And so there she was - 15 years old and giving her second baby away.  She cried and cried even when they came in to have the paper signed to relinquish her parental rights.

That little girl was placed into foster care.  Not much is known about the first 7 weeks of life for that little girl.  The notes from her foster mother stated that they believed she was born a bit premature because she slept more than usual - not even waking up to be fed.  But her foster mother cared for her while the paperwork and waiting period was completed and she was able to be adopted.

During this same time period there was a couple who were unable to have children of their own.  They tried for years and eventually went to the doctor to find out that they would never be able to have their own baby.  So they decided to adopt.  They adopted a son four years prior to 1968.  And decided they wanted a daughter a couple years later.  So once again they went on the waiting list.  In 1966 they were put on the waiting list for an infant girl.  In May of 1968 they received a call that a little girl was available and wanted them to come meet her.  There she was - 7 weeks old - the girl they had been praying for...and so they started the process to adopt her.  In late May they adopted the little girl and took her home.  They raised her as their own daughter.  She grew up knowing she was adopted - her mom and dad always told her that they chose her - that she was special.  They were wonderful people!  She could have never had better parents!!  She was raised in a loving, Christian home.  She may not have been raised in a wealthy home and had everything she ever wanted - but she had everything she ever needed and she was rich in love - which was more important than money.  You can see in this picture that the little girl was a very happy baby:

 45 years later that little baby girl is still thankful her parents.  Her father passed away over 20 years ago and her mother is still part of her life.  They were/are Mom & Dad and God can been through every single aspect of her life.  

That little girl is me....and I have been blessed so much through my life.  I'm thankful for every little thing that God has done for me.  And He has had His hand on my life from the very beginning.  Mom and Dad started praying for me even before I was born.  So what am I thankful for:  EVERYTHING!  And why do I worship Him?  Because everything I am and everything I have is because of Him!  And even if I had absolutely nothing - I worship Him because He is who He is.  As the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 8: Oh Lord, our Lord - how majestic is Your name in all the earth!!!!

I invite you to take some time and visit the blogs of the Carriers of Faith - the list can be found to left of this post.  I can't wait to read and see what they are thankful for - I'm sure it will truly bless my heart.

God bless you today and thank you for stopping by.  And yes, I prayed as I wrote this and have asked Him to reveal Himself to you in a very special way today.