26 Things

After 26 years, here are 26 (of many more) things for which I am thankful....

26. God's beauty, pervasive in His creation- humans included!
25. God's provision of all of my basic needs.

24. God's gift of good books which challenge the mind and spur us on to greater godliness.
23. God's ministry of music which reaches the hearts of many.
22. God's creating people with different skills and interests that glorify Himself, further His kingdom and benefit others.

21. God's people, from past ages and generations, who have sacrificed comforts and pleasures, even their lives, for the sake of the gospel and the Word of God.
20. God's grace in choosing America to be my home country.
19. God's providence in the founding of the United states of America and the people He chose as catalysts for this free nation.
18. God's blessing of children who cause us to really think, get outside of ourselves and bring fun!
17. God's love for us that is strong enough to bring us through trials and blessings and to keep stretching and growing us.

16. God's provision of fathers-in-the-faith who exemplify true manhood, and brothers-in-Christ who walk in integrity and the strength of the Lord.
15. God's provision of beautiful, godly mothers-in-the-faith and fellow sisters-in-Christ who inspire, encourage and are constant sources of joy.
14. God's provision of a Pastor who speaks the truth of God's Word and does the hard things and for his family who supports him, loves God's people and sacrifices their time for them.

13. God's providence in bringing us to Winterbrook Fellowship, where we've been and continue to be blessed by godly brothers and sisters (every single one of you!) and true fellowship.
12. God's provision of two caring, compassionate, generous and loving grandmothers.

11. God's provision of two praying, godly, loving and generous grandfathers.
10. God's provision of two sweet nephews who delight my heart and bring such joy!

9. God's answer to prayer in a brother-in-law who loves Him, my sister and his children and seeks their good for the glory of God.
8. God's provision of a godly, loyal, faithful, giving, serving little sister whose friendship I treasure.
7. God's provision of an active, fun, compassionate little brother who teaches me patience and keeps me laughing.

6. God's provision of a loving, serving, godly mother who strives to obey Him and has been a source of wise counsel and friendship.
5. God's provision of a loving, caring and wise earthly father, who provides, protects and teaches us the ways of the Lord. (And who is also a huge source of longevity, due to his making us laugh to add years to our lives....)
4. God's Holy and Inerrant Word, the Bible, which teaches us how we may walk and please God.

3. God's sending the Holy Spirit, the Helper, to guide and direct our steps.
2. God's Sovereign rule over all His creation, coupled with His infinite wisdom and goodness!
1. God's saving grace, unworthy that I am, granting salvation through Jesus Christ!

There is so much more for which to be thankful- some of which are the wonderful people in these pictures and those whose pictures I don't have. God has richly blessed these 26 years of life and I don't deserve an ounce of the goodness He's bestowed on me, but I am truly grateful! Thank you, Heavenly Father!