Because maybe Lord, this is the way I should say my thank you’s…
hands out in submission and surrender…
because though I am, we are, special creations…
I, and we, are still creations.
#642… thank You, Lord, that until someone proves, beyond doubt, their myth that there is other life out there like us – not hints, speculation, or theory – until then there is more reason to believe that we are alone and unique, than to not.
#643… for making the whole universe…
black holes, galaxies, stars, comets, planets, atoms, all of it…
so there could be one planet nestled safely in the perfect spot.
The odds that there should be such a blue dot in the universe are staggering.
#644… that even in the face of all science that tries to exclude you, it still, honestly, takes more faith to believe that existence is just a random smashing together of atoms – then to believe that there is a Creator.
#645… that You are more than just a Creator, but You love, and You care in a way much higher than I can even think. You really do share every joy, and keep every tear, don’t You?
#646… that I am not my own…
I am a creation of Yours…
always and forever less than You…
and that’s good…
because other than You…
everything is flawed…
everything is bits and pieces of broken that we cement together.
It doesn’t take much to see that.
#647... that just as You brought me into this broken world…
overflowing with mistake, and error, and wrong…
You will bring me safely through…
to an unbroken place where everything is right, and good, and love.
#648… that there’s far more reason to believe than to doubt. Because You know me, I’m prone to doubt.
#649… that even when I say thank you for the slightest something…
You remind me today that even the slightest something is a miracle…
because the fact that there is something rather than nothing…
is. a. miracle.
So I should say thank you’s to You in reverence…
and absolute humility, and submission, and surrender…
because no matter what I have, no matter how great…
I am just a creation…
and because my will, strong as it is…
is far better when it’s surrendered to Your will.
#650… thank You Lord…
for reminding me…
because I forget…
that my thank you’s (and life)…
are to be marked by open hands of surrender.
#651… because I know that You don’t want me sad…
You don’t want me hurting…
You want me to have things for which to be grateful…
in season.
I’ll wait.
#652 … for caring for me…
because I really don’t feel I deserve it…
but then, that’s kind of the point isn’t it?
Lord I believe…help my unbelief.
linking with Ann and hundreds of thankful grace chasers…
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
Dear Craig,
“That really is the point, isn’t it?” I thought that very same thing today when I wrote I was thankful for grace even though I don’t deserve it. Yes, that really is the point, and I can’t get over it. It is a miracle.
Tears,
Dawn
Dawn, they make a recipe, it turns out all sorts of wrong, we throw it out – or you feed it to your muttlies – but we don’t eat it with a big smile on our face. Yeah, like that. God bless you Dawn.
#s 644, 645, and 647 stood out to me. I am grateful that He loves me though He can’t love all my behaviors. He extends grace to me for those. But I am grateful that I am made in His image, and that is not a tarnishable state. My actions do not negate that fact. I am beloved. That gives me strength and contentment in the midst of my sojourn here on this earth.
all of the “gods” throughout history – all the invented gods – they were all capricious – love you one minute – turn on you the next. Yes, he was tough on Israel in the Old Testament – but they were the most unfaithful followers any “god” had. He stays with us – he just. stays. with us – we just have to keep looking toward him. God. Is. Nice. A. we think just about exactly the same. Remember when you used to read me with your eyes half closed – fingers covering them? Only a weeks till my one year bloggy aniiversary. ツ
I remember, Craig, and a lot has happened in this year, yes? A lot. Your anniversary deserves a bloggy celebration!
thinking about it… Thinking… But not certain…
I’m with you. I feel every single day completely overwhelmed by God’s love. How he loves me, a sinner, that speaks out of both sides of my my mouth, and constnantly battles pride and selfishness at unnerving levels…. But that is the point, isn’t it? That while I do NOT deserve it, he still pours it out all over me, this abundant, agape love of his that just floods my every dark corner and washes away my stains… that alone is worth 1000 thank you’s… I will never stop being thankful for such a love. and that verse? That very last little tidbit of scripture there, one of my all time favorites…. Blessings, brother.
I think that sometimes the world doesn’t understand – sometimes I don’t even understand – when we talk of how sinful we are. Until I stop and think that it’s because we compare ourselves to his perfection – and not to the world. I think maybe sometimes we need to explain that better. The thing about not deserving it. And I heart your way with words – even in your comments, “he still pours it out all over me, this abundant, agape love of his that just floods my every dark corner and washes away my stains” I wish I had written that! But I can’t write like you. Blessings to you to, and just tuck flat Craig away somewhere, maybe next year you can bring him to Relevant again. I heart that you did that! ツ
That is my prayer. Help my unbelief. Thanks for sharing your doubts and being brave enough to live the questions…
I just kind of tucked that in at the bottom ツ I’m glad we share the same prayer – well not really glad – it would be better if we both just totally believed – and never once doubted – but even Mother Teresa doubted – thank you Christine, and God bless you!
How beautifully written!
Janelle
Janelle, got your e-mail – thanks – the cogs are turning all squeaky in my head – and thank you for your kind words – God bless you and yours!
Almost one year, Yay you!
Just hit 1000… continue to pray for you each time I fold towels. 🙂
This is a beautiful list to read today and such a good reminder for us all.
I know! And you – YOU – your comments in the beginning meant so much to me! You’ll never know. And I noticed that you were over 1000 now – not fair! I covet your thousand thank you’s! ツ God bless you, Sharon – I hope things are progressing in the right direction.
Craig,
I really like the focus your thanksgivings usually take: right up the sunbeam to the source. Thanks so much. I needed the refreshment of this clear perspective of grace today. Blessings to you!
Sylvia, when I do them, along with HIM – when the thanks become praise – then it can be a little bit of awesome – and HE gets ALL the credit. Thank you Sylvia. And blessings to you too.
647 and 649. Honesty and love woven together here in your words.
Danelle – why we (read I) don’t remember often enough that the mere fact that there is something rather than nothing is a miracle – I don’t know. But it really is. Thank you for your kind words Danelle – if I can write words that are honesty and love woven together – that means I’m getting somewhere with my words. God bless and keep you!
“So I should say thank you’s to You in reverence…
and absolute humility, and submission, and surrender…
because no matter what I have, no matter how great…
I am just a creation…
and because my will, strong as it is…
is far better when it’s surrendered to Your will.” I really heart this. I need to write it on my walls so I can be reminded every day. Beautiful list!
and of course, I hearted that you hearted it ツ I need it on my walls too – God gets all the credit – but thank you Christina, thank you, and God bless!
Loved walking through your blessings, Counting along with you
thank you Sara, I’m blessed that you took the time to read, and I heart the fact that we are fellow counters. God bless and keep you and yours – and thank you again.
#650… reminds me of my husband’s continual reminder to “hold on with open hands.” Thanks for sharing more reasons to be grateful. HE is beautiful.
Amen Dana, I heart that – “hold on with open hands” – that’s it exactly – and thank with open hands too. Thank you Dana, our God IS beautiful – blessings to you and yours!
#648… that there’s far more reason to believe than to doubt. Because You know me, I’m prone to doubt.
Criag
I want to share what my brother saw back in Jan of this year just before he left us for heaven in Feb. He wanted to tell me that NEVER stop praying, NEVER stop going to church its REAL Glenna and I said I know that it is ..he said he just didnt have the words for the beauty of it all and the face of JESUS was just so bright . he talked of other family memebers that were there .
Also a few years ago my nephew he died on the way to the hospital and they finally got iit back he said he would NEVER fear death as its was not what others thought he saw his sister and others and said it was like being wrapped in a blanket of LOVE and that he had never felt such peace he told everyone of this he shared this with so many as he lived about another year after that experience …….I have these on my blog spot I think one is called Bills story and the other a Glimpse of heaven as told by my brother
I pray that if I ever doubt that I will always be taken back to Jan 7 2011 and see my brother telling to NEVER DOUBT its REAL ..
I just had to share this with you
Still holding to the unseen hand
Glenna
Glenna, I know you told me about these stories, now I’m really glad you told them to me. “Never doubt! It’s real!” I’m a doubter at heart – I’m to the point where I understand that it’s silly of me not to believe – which means I guess I’m at the point where I’m silly sometimes. Thank you for sharing this with me. I heart that we bloggy know each other! God bless and keep you.