One Year of Thankful Thursdays. Susan W. Brown
our bodies to be so dependent on air.
I mean think about it for a minute. He could have made us dependent on water, but He didn’t. We can see and touch and somewhat hang onto water.
Maybe, just maybe, He made our physical bodies dependent on something we cannot see or touch so our spiritual minds and hearts will learn to do the same as we lean on the Holy Spirit for guidance and sustaining us.
SCRIPTURES FOR THE DAY
JOB 33:4 puts it so beautifully, "The SPIRIT of God has MADE ME, and the BREATH OF THE ALMIGHTY gives me life."
JOHN 3:8 is a beautiful description of air and The Spirit,
"THE WIND BLOWS WHERE IT WISHES, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is BORN OF THE SPIRIT.”
2 CORINTHIANS 5:5 tells us He gave us The Holy Spirit as a GIFT, "He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has GIVEN US THE SPIRIT AS A GUARANTEE."
Thankful Thursday #8
Today I am thankful for the gift of SLEEP!
I think in our non-stop culture sleep can be something that is looked down upon because of the idea that "you aren’t being productive if you are sleeping" or the always hustle mindset of "you have to work, work, work so you can get ahead".
I have been guilty, in the past, of not looking forward to sleep for another reason entirely. I just love life and enjoy being busy (most of the time) and there’s so much life to live and so much to do and experience I just want to be up doing it!
BUT……
There’s a real danger in not getting enough sleep or making sleep a priority.
Just as God designed the seasons of the year to flow in a natural rhythm and even the 24 hour period in a day to have a cycle, so our bodies were designed with a natural rhythm as well.
Take a step back, recharge by getting some extra sleep, and see the world and life fresh and anew.
Our bodies need the sleep in order for our minds and bodies to function at peak capacity.
I have been overly exhausted recently. I knew it was affecting every area of my life as I was short with people, my body was extra torn down from my usual workouts, and I was falling asleep at random times in mid conversation.
So, for the next 2 mornings, I planned to sleep in. Instead of waking at 4 , I slept in until 6:30 and it made a massive difference in those 2 days and after.
It can change not only your perspective, but also massively increase your productivity, energy, and attitude.
Sleep truly is a gift and we should treat it as such and use it wisely.
SCRIPTURES FOR THE DAY
PSALM 127:2 reminds us that “HE GRANTS SLEEP to those He loves.”
This does not at all imply that if you aren’t sleeping He doesn’t love you.
What it does imply is this. It’s OK and good to throw that worry off…lie down….sleep…it’s good and healthy for you!
PSALM 4:8 reminds us how we are to go to sleep..in peace,
“IN PEACE, I will LIE DOWN AND SLEEP, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Thankful Thursday #9
Today I am so thankful for PIGGYBACK RIDES.
I’m thankful for the heavenly picture they paint for us.
I love watching my oldest lovingly offer my youngest a piggyback ride when she gets too tuckered out. It gives her a little reprieve and makes her feel loved and protected.
I also love watching my man give piggyback rides to his girls to give them a rest and boost right when they need it. It also offers them that reminder that they don’t have to do it all. It lovingly reassures them that they aren’t alone and that he will willingly carry and protect them. It puts him in front taking the brunt of what lies ahead while she is safely and knowingly trusting wherever He goes.
Isn’t this such a picture of our Heavenly Daddy?
Again, don’t take my word for it, His word confirms all of this in these beautiful reminders.
SCRIPTURES FOR THE DAY
DEUTERONOMY 31:8 beautifully depicts God being out in front, “THE LORD is the one WHO GOES AHEAD OF YOU. HE WILL BE WITH YOU. He wil not fail or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."
Do you see how my man has got her hemmed in front and back by his arms being behind him holding onto her tightly?
Well how about PSALM 139:5 tells us, “YOU HEM ME IN BEHIND AND BEFORE, you have laid your hand upon me.”
JOSHUA 1:9 reminds us we are never alone! “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God WILL BE WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO.”
Can’t you just PICTURE that?
PSALM 68:19 reminds us He is carrying us AND our struggles, “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily BEARS OUR BURDENS.”
Thankful Thursday #10
I am humbly thankful for FREEDOM!
I am beyond blessed to get to live where we know that FREEDOM is and was IN NO WAY free. It was and continues to be bought and paid for with the blood of brave men and women who boldly stand to protect what they love.
We love our country BUT, there is another FREEDOM so much bigger than this or any country's FREEDOM.
None of us are more special than any other human just because we happen to be born where we were born.
There are people of every land (including ours) that suffer and experience the feeling of not being free whether that’s in an abusive relationship, having no money to buy food or pay the bills, and so many other ways, or even actually being imprisoned.
So, today I am obviously thankful for the beautiful blessings of living in the land of the FREE. I tell every soldier every chance I get, "Thank You for Your Service!”, as should we all!
But even that points to something even bigger...
It paints a beautiful picture that points to an even greater FREEDOM we are all given and it also WAS NOT FREE!