Thankful Thursday - August 18

For the month of August, Thankful Thursday is hosted by Laurie at Women Taking a Stand. Please visit and refresh your spirit.

I have been away from Thankful Thursday posts for a while because I was under some condemnation from family members regarding anything personal I post on this blog. It's been a great strain to only publish that which is generic and sure not to offend. Quite frankly, I don't think that's what I'm supposed to do. Here's why:

Isaiah 43:10 (NIV) says:

"You are my witnesses," declares the Lord, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me."

Wow! Pretty powerful stuff, wouldn't you say? Judging by what God says here, I have to believe that it is healthy for me to share my thanks and praise for my great and powerful God. He declares that I (and all of you believers out there) are chosen by Him to witness all that He does and is. And a witness usually tells others about it - doesn't she?

Acts 1:7-8 (NIV) says:

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

There's that word "witnesses" again.

I take the Word of God very seriously. This is a personal charge - Witness all that God is and does, then share it with my village, my county, my state, my country, my world. I  will not shirk from my duty simply because a handful of people do not like me and want to trip me up. How about you?

My thankful list this week includes:

• The ability to stick my diet plan and the good health (and weight loss) that has occurred because of it.
• The little 2-year-old I've had the blessing to babysit for the past several months.
• My ongoing friendships with my sisters and brother.
• My church family is amazing - thanks to the Lord for giving them enough confidence in me to ask me to serve on a church committee (still a little scared about it).
• The extra money my husband has been making at work. The hours are long, so that's a prayer request - that my husband might be relieved of some of the hours and pressures but continue to make decent money for a while. Winter's coming and we both know how that affects the job and the paychecks.
• Praise the Lord for my oldest son, Josh, and his commitment to the police department for which he is a deputy. May the Lord keep him safe as he strives to keep others safe. He is getting lots of praise at work for his hard work and for how well-suited he is for the job. Praise God that Josh makes homeschooled children look good. May he not let the praise feed his ego but that he continue to give the Lord the credit and glory.