Gratitude

We have been working on getting approved for a loan on a house. You see our goal is by Thanksgiving...well really my goal was by this summer. After talking with the mortgage lender we found out that we are approved for the amount we were asking for, but then she started talking about how much we will need down and closing costs and all that fun stuff. After that happened, I was completely discouraged. We just don't have that money right now and it seems like it will take a lifetime to save it on our budget. So, when Evan told me, of course I was frustrated and distraught thinking..."we'll never get into a house."

Of course my husband being Mr. Positive always has a way of knocking me off of my high horse..in a good way. He always reminds me how blessed we are. We live in an adorable apartment and have way more than so many people in this world. God has provided for us above and beyond what we "need." I hate when he is right, but he is. I know I need him for that at times and I am thankful he has that outlook.

So, I started to think about it, and as I look around my little apartment I realize how blessed we are and that I have NO reason to complain or grumble when "my plan" doesn't pan out to my liking. The truth of the matter is....God has never let me down. He has always provided for me even in hard times of my life. This isn't even a HARD time, it's just one in which I need to re-prioritize and realize that a nice house is not a NEED....it's a want. If I had to stay in this apartment the rest of my life, I would be blessed to do so.

I am reminded of these scriptures:

Matthew 6:19-21
19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also

Matthew 6:25-34
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

God has NEVER failed me or not provided for my Needs. How amazing that is and yet sometimes this world gets hold of me and I think "I need more." Our flesh is so selfish and many times without gratitude to our AMAZING SAVIOR.

This morning in my car I was listening to Nichole Nordeman and really focusing on the words of this song (watch the video below and listen to the words). It reminded me that I have so much to be grateful for even when what I want is not tended to in my timing or sometimes at all.

Lord, please help me to be thankful and filled with gratitude daily. For YOU have provided for all of my needs and have never once failed me or left me. Help my mind, heart and spirit be of YOU and not of the things of this world. Help me to realize that having more "stuff" or better "stuff" will not make me who I am. YOU make me who I am and I pray that I will daily dwell on that. Thank you Father for being my PROVIDER!