a month of THANKSgiving

Basically, I've been a huge slacker when it comes to blogging. I think I just get so far behind that when I have time to catch up, there's way too much to say. No need to worry though, I'm officially back to blog world. Some updates since I last posted on blogger, I'M ENGAGED. Certainly, most of you knew that already though. Life is changing in HUGE ways and it's absolutely thrilling. (Even more so, it's terrifying.) I'm about to be all growed-up.   It's unreal to me. Never in a million years did I think I would be getting married at the age of 21. Yet here I am. God has been unbelievably good to me. To bring me out of a series of crappy situations to the point I'm at now, is just overwhelming. By no means am I saying life is perfect, it's simply joyous. I am nervous about embarking on this new journey, but I am confident it's where God is calling me. I am confident that he will be there beside me. I am confident that, although my past may tell me otherwise, marriage is a healthy, beautiful thing created to bring glory to the Lord. 

Enough of my ramblings though...I'll get to the point of this post.

A friend of a friend has inspired me. She is going to try to post everyday this month about something she is grateful for. So I thought, what a great idea! And I'm going to do that too. A wise friend once told me that Satan can't dwell in a heart or mind of gratitude. So starting this month, I'm going to declare an attitude of gratitude. I'm going to see the beauty of God's creation through his eyes and I'm going to praise him for who he is and what he has done/is doing. 

Today's post is probably the most difficult because I've been thankful for a lot recently. I'm going to try my hardest to pick one, though. Even though it's a big topic, I think this is one thing I am most thankful for recently. 

Grace - Lately God has really been emphasizing that I no longer live under law. Considering, I am a perfectionist, this is a huge relief. My fleshly nature is to do everything right to earn God's approval and love. This, of course, is not who God created me to be. He has been showing me how he loves me no matter what I do. Even if things aren't perfect, I am still his beloved daughter and he values me. I don't have to earn his love, he lavishes it upon me daily. Wow. This is not a new concept for me but when I really wrap my head around it, it leaves me speechless. (If you have questions about this or simply want to talk more about it, please message me.)

I hope you'll join me, even if it's not in blogging, to thank God for the many blessings that he freely gives us every day. Look for them and you'll be sure to find them. 

Here are some words of encouragement:

-Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:19b-20

-And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

-Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18