A Wonderful Day of Thanks!

Since it is Thanksgiving, I decided to post the 5 things that I am most thankful for and some Psalms on giving thanks.

Of course, the first on my list must be the unfathomable grace that God has extended to me. I am eternally grateful to Him for calling me out of darkness and redeeming my soul. If this were the only thing that He ever blessed me with, I would be complete and have no justification to ask for anything more. In His sovereignty, though, He has bestowed me with other wonderful gifts.

Second to my salvation, my family is the greatest blessing in my life.
My mother and sister are two of the most godly women that I know, and I am blessed every day to live in unity with them. Through the hardest of life's trials we have been brought closer, and through the fire we have together been refined.
My extended family are also very dear to me. There is a very special bond in our extended family that I have observed is absent in many others that I know. Though we vary widely on beliefs, lifestyles and ideas, there is something that holds us all together. Of course, that thing that holds us together is our shared love for Christ. Praise to God that we are unified in our faith in Him!
Commenting on my family would not be complete without mentioning my spiritual family: The church universal, as well as the new congregation that we are fellowshipping with.
From Berean, to the Home Chruch With No Name :), to Family Reformation Fellowship, I am always astounded by the love and grace of God shining through in the lives of His children.

My "new family" would have to come in next. Though they fall into the Spiritual Family category of the last paragraph, I think they deserve a number all of their own.
The McDonald family took us in when we were strangers, and with joy met all of our needs. Though times have not been perfect, and we have all seen each other at something approaching our worst's, their love has been unwavering and their commitment to our family solid.
From the sweet fellowship with the girls, to hearing Mr. McDonald say "Rejoice! The body of Christ!" as he offered me the sacrament of communion on Sunday, my soul blessed by this dear family.
May we continue steadfastly in our love for one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is begotten of God, and knoweth God. (1 John 4:7)

Another thing for which I am grateful is that God saw fit for me to be born an American! I was thinking the other day about what it must be like to be born royalty. I can't imagine that being normal. Then I got to thinking....from what I understand, most foreign people can't imagine being born an American. They can't imagine what it is like to live in a place where there is freedom of speech, press and state imposed religion. It is definitely a blessing to live in this nation. It has it's faults, granted...many of them grave. But I can't think of a place I'd rather be on earth.
Though I hope to see more of the world, I think America will always be where my earthly allegiance rests!

Lastly (for this list, anyway) are the physical blessings that God has given me. Through my life, God has always provided food, clothing and shelter in abundance (i.e. more than one outfit of clothing, mere crusts of bread and a shack).
With thanks, I echo David in Psalm 37:25: "I have been young, and now am old; Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread."
Though we have had seasons of both affluence and poverty, God has always been our provider and has not abandoned us in time of need.

So, there you have my top five. It's actually more than five, now that I think about it because of all of the sub-categories. Oh well! There is no way I could narrow it down any more than what I already have.

Now for the scriptures:

Ps 7:17 - I will give thanks to the LORD according to His righteousness And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.
Ps 9:1 - I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders.
Ps 18:49 - Therefore I will give thanks to You among the nations, O LORD, And I will sing praises to Your name.
Ps 30:4 - Sing praise to the LORD, you His godly ones, And give thanks to His holy name.
Ps 33:2 - Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; Sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings.
Ps 57:9 - I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the nations.
Ps 92:1 - It is good to give thanks to the LORD And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
Ps 97:12 - Be glad in the LORD, you righteous ones, And give thanks to His holy name.
Ps 105:1 - Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples.
Ps 106:1 - Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Ps 106:47 - Save us, O LORD our God, And gather us from among the nations, To give thanks to Your holy name And glory in Your praise.
Ps 107:1 -Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Ps 107:8 -Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men!

Amen and Amen!

Yes, this has turned out to be a very long post...but what else could I do? Watch Moulin Rouge with the other cousins? I don't think so...

~Robin <><