Sunday, September 12, 2010

Thanking the Lord

A dear friend of mine went to lunch with me on Friday and told me how God had been at work in her life, after a story she'd heard from another friend about a woman who was shot in the eye by a stranger and heard a voice inside her head as she sat dying , "Right now, you need to thank the Lord." So she did, for everything she could think of as she believed her life was slipping away. If you are a believer, you will probably not be surprised to hear that she lived (but she lost her eye). The doctor said it was a miracle, as though the bullet was suddenly stopped and changed direction, exiting through her neck below her ear instead of continuing on its trajectory going through her brain. My friend said that now whenever she felt the urge to complain about something, aloud or in her head, she instead remembers to thank the Lord. In turn, she is rewarded with peace. It's true: at any moment when something big or very trivial threatens to crush our spirit we can choose to stop and count our blessings, and we all have so many when we decide to focus on the good things.
Later that day, my husband and I ventured out to The Crossings Wellness Spa just outside of town, the only time we have ever left our children overnight with the neighbors! I'd bought a half off coupon a few months back for an overnight stay there that included breakfast, so I'd been looking forward to having a chance to take my husband there. (I went once with a friend 3 years ago and the prices have gone up astronomically since, so I thought this might be the only time I'd go again!) It is lovely, out in the hill country with an amazing infinity edge pool. Of course I prayed beforehand that our kids would be safe and that we would have good weather!
I won't go into all the details of our time there, but some things were delightful and others not so much (kind of like life!) I'd tried not to have unrealistic expectations that it would be the most magical night ever, but still a few things were disappointing. Sitting outside on the deck by the pool that night I was feeling a bit let down that our date wasn't all going to plan. Suddenly I was interrrupted in my moping with the thought, "You need to thank the Lord". So I did. Looking up at the sky I silently prayed: "Thank you, Lord, for this beautiful, cloudless starry night. Thank you for the opportunity to sit quietly in this amazing place. Thank you for my husband. He's not perfect, and neither am I. Thank you for being my everything, the only one and thing in the universe which can and will meet all my needs, always. " And, I promise you this is the truth, that very next moment, as if in response, I saw a shooting star. ("I AM. You're welcome...")

My husband didn't see the shooting star. I don't know if anyone else by the pool that night noticed it either. When I commented on it, he said it would be great to have a telescope out there, but I'm sure we'd have missed it if it hadn't been pointing in that direction. You had to be looking, at the right place, at that right moment. Don't forget to take time to stop, and to look!

"Be still, and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10

Have a blessed Sunday,
Melanie

PS You don't see shooting stars living in the city. It was a BIG deal for me! ;)

23 comments:

  1. Thanks for the message today. it came at a time when I needed it too.
    Blessings!

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  2. Thanks for sharing such meaningful thoughts today. It made me stop and be more grateful. Sue

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  3. Melanie...thank you. Beautiful post and such a blessing to me. We have much to be thankful for even though everything is not "perfect" ...it is our attitude of gratitude that the Lord blesses. Much to learn each step of the journey HE has us on.

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  4. Awesome...yes, I am not surprised that the woman survived. God is amazing! Thank you so much for sharing with us Melanie.
    I too sometimes forget to stop, be still and talk to God. Thank you for the reminder...

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  5. Awesome Melanie! Thanks for sharing this much needed reminder.

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  6. ahhh- I love this- thanks for sharing!

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  7. This is a Beautiful post Melanie! And I think the Lord will Bless you for sharing with us!
    I try to rmemeber to Thank Him each day,but sometimes you feel so overwhelmed that I forget. Thank you for the reminder and also the knowledge that I'm not alone in the struggle!
    I know that He will always be there for us, we just have to trust,which for me is sometimes hard to do when you cannot see. But when I am quite I can feel Him.

    May You and your Family be Blessed!
    Hugs,
    Mary

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  8. Such a great reminder! It is hardest to be thankful when we are sad or dissapointed. You have really given me a lot to think about. Thank you for sharing this. I pray God continues to bless you. Hugs!

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  9. What a wonderful post, Melanie. Such a thoughtful and uplifting story. Thank you for sharing it today!

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  10. God is always faithful to reveal himself if we will but stop, look, and listen. Thank you for sharing.

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  11. Beautifully put, Melanie. I love the message in your post and I agree... "be thankful".

    I am thankful for you... your friendship and your ability to share with us something so deeply meaningful that touches our lives as well. You are a blessing not only to your friends but I KNOW God is blessed with you also. :-) HUGS

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  12. Oh, Melanie, I love to read your thoughts. This was a beautiful experience for you to share. I'm glad your friend told you that story, and that you were able to pass it on and then some. Now I'll take pause and listen to God and thank him more often. You will never even know how many hearts you've touched with this post. Thank you once again for your blessings.
    Hugs, Lori

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  13. thanks for sharing your heart *with tear-filled eyes* big hugs to you my friend - God is ALWAYS there for us, isn't He? So grateful for you!!

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  14. I can't say that I always stop and thank God when I'm going through a particularly challenging moment, but I do try to thank Him that what is going on in my life is less serious than what is going on in someone else's life at that time. So many people have much more serious challenges than what I have, but it's easy to get caught up in life and sometimes overlook that.

    I do my best to thank God for allowing me to be able to do the things for my husband that I do. Even when I'm cleaning the toilet (I hate toilets), I try to thank Him that I'm able to do that.

    Thanks for a wonderful post.

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  15. What a BEAUTIFUL post. It gave me a chance to stop and think. I got goose bumps too. Thanks so much for the reminder.

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  16. Beautiful post Melanie! Thanks for sharing the story of the woman and the story of you!

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  17. I can so relate to everything you said in this post! Love ya Mel! I am thankful for YOU!

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  18. Always rejoice, unceasingly pray, in everything give thanks, for this is the WILL of God in Christ Jesus for you. These verses from 1 Thes. 5:16-18 came to mind when reading this sweet post.

    What an awesome pool and view!

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  19. Oh Melanie that is a beautiful story. Psalm 46:10 is truly one of my favorites. I thank you for sharing this moment in time with us. I think that shooting star was meant for you alone. A sweet gift from the Father acknowledging your praise and thanksgiving. Sometimes we find ourselves too "busy" to notice all the small blessings the good Lord places right in front of us each day. Well, I am thanking the Lord right now for you and this posting. I needed to read this today!
    Blessings,
    Terri

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  20. Thanks for sharing this story. I really loved it, and was encouraged by it. I just talked with a friend today about starting a journal listing what God is doing in your life, and thanking Him for it. Perfect timing.

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  21. We who know Him know we serve an awesome God! loved hearing this lady's testimony as well as your beautiful post of Thanksgiving...all we are and have are because of Him...
    sending you a cyber "sister in Christ" hug!

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  22. What a great post Melanie. I had missed this one so I am glad you sent me the link. Hugs to you!

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