52 weeks of thanks: Week 1

...because just being thankful in the month of November just doesn't seem like enough.

52 blogs of thanks. For 52 weeks of the year.

(how is that for commitment, poor neglected blog)

And without further ado (and not always in any particular order...) I give you week 1.

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I am thankful for Baby Jesus.

and bearded man Jesus, too, if you are wondering.

Thankful for His teachings. His stories.

His precious words of hope, peace, and joy.

Thankful for life He lived for me. The life he gave up for me.

Thankful for His promises never broken.

His love over flowing.

His grace never ceasing.

His mercies new every day.

His faithfulness without fail.

Even when I'm a sinner.

Especially when I'm a sinner.

I'm thankful for His word, wrapped up in pretty pink binding, ready to be devoured.

I'm thankful for a pretty new journal. Empty pages ready to be filled with my spiritual journeys of yet another year.

For a pile of books just begging to be read. Bookmarks and post its already marking the pages of those that I couldn't wait to crack open if even just a page or two.

Thankful for the knowledge that each and every day I get a "do-over." A clean slate. An opportunity to serve and love and shine and obey and repent and forgive and be forgiven.

Thankful for a Jesus that loves me, cares for me, craves a relationship with me, even while I'm still a sinner.

Thankful knowing that regardless of my joy, my happiness, my sin, my hurt, my pain, He is there.

Without fail.

And I am ever so thankful. Ridiculously thankful.

Because of the Lord's great love

We are not consumed,

For His compassions never fail,

They are new every morning;

GREAT is your faithfulness.

The Lord is my portion;

I will wait for Him.

Lamentations 3:22-24