Thursday, January 24, 2008

Thankful Thursday





PS 30:11 “You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!”

On this Thankful Thursday I want to thank God for JOY. There was a time in my life when I was not joyful. Before I embraced the cross, all I could think about was myself. No matter what I had, or where I was, or whom I was with, deep down inside I still felt miserable and alone.


After finding Christ, my life began to Turn Around. Things began to become transformed. My world finally started to change. At last I was able to get my eyes off of “ME”, and focus more on Him. I could see His hand prints all over my past, and felt so hopeful about what my future might hold. I knew He had a divine plan for my life, and it was beginning to unfold. Quite naively, I thought everything would be just perfect now that I found Christ!


As we all know, being a Christian does not prevent bad things from happening in our lives. As a young mom with four children, I lost my best friend in the whole world, my mother. Just two years later I experienced the second greatest loss in my life, when my father was struck down by a speeding car and was tragically killed.


“Why God, why?” Is there any good answer? The only answer is the same one He gave Paul when He said, “... "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me”. No one in this life can flee the pain of loss, disappointments, and suffering. But in the face of it all we can still have JOY. “…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” Jesus willing laid down His life for us all. He experienced all the pain and suffering that was humanly possible, so we could experience JOY. In Hebrews 12: 2 the scriptures say, “For the JOY set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God”. Excuse me, but did it say “For the JOY”? Jesus knew what suffering the cross would bring, but He also knew that His Father would once again restore His JOY!




So today, I’m so grateful there is more to this life then what we may be going through at this very moment. And I’ve also learned that what we own, where we live, what we look like, or how well we’re connected won’t bring true JOY into our lives. Yes, I’m so grateful that Jesus paid the price for my sins and I’m eternally forgiven. I’m so grateful I will once again see those who have gone before me. I’m so grateful that God has given me a true and lasting JOY, and that He has turned my mourning into dancing and clothed with a garment of praise!

Isn’t He wonderful?



If you would to see what many others are thankful for today please visit Iris at Sting My Heart, you will be glad you did! Thanks so much for stopping by today.




24 comments:

Nise' said...

What a beautiful testimony of His faithfulness and love in your life. Thanks for sharing.

Faithful Froggers said...

Oh Susan - you are the sweetest person I know! Thank you so much for your kind words. I am always so blessed coming here. You always make me think and inspire me to dive into my devotionals. You are a blessing to many and I am so thankful for your friendship and spiritual guidance.

Have a fabulous week, my friend!
Love & FROG,
Heather

Tea with Tiffany said...

Thank you for this powerful reminder. I think just like you. That verse pops for me too, "for the JOY set before him." Wow!

I'm sorry about your losses. I know the reunion will be incredible.

I long for heaven when I think of how great God's love and the fellowship of the saints will be. This earthly memory with all its hardships will fade away and we will enter into His rest and love forever.

Come quickly, Lord.

Hugs, my friend.

Cheryl said...

You have a great thankful list. JOY. It is so important to us. Thanks for the reminder. So sorry to hear of your losses. I lost my dad also. Sometimes it is very painful. God is with me. He makes things so much easier. Have a blessed day!

Anonymous said...

Nice testimony of yours. Thanks for sharing for us. Take care.

Kim@Seasons of My Heart said...

Thank-you SO much for the reminder on Joy.

Far to often, I tend to allow my situation, and circumstances to dictate my JOY! And, I know that is wrong!!

I read a quote once that said, "I'd rather have a bad day with my Jesus, than a good day without him."

Enjoy your Thankful Thursday.

Heather said...

I'm grateful for your heart filled with joy - it's contagious. You are always overflowing with joy.

jeannie said...

What an really great post...
Thanks so much for sharing.
J~Jesus First
O~Others Second
Y~You last
jeannie

Aunt Angie said...

Susan---I took time today reading over your profile...we have so much in common!
The trials and tribulations you have endured have created such an awesome spirit of faith in you! What awesome writing! Great encouraging reminders of JOY!
Be blessed!!!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing. I too have lost my parents. I know I will see them again some day.
You must be a little further south than me because it isn't going to get much above freezing today here and tonight they say 23 degrees.
Have a good week,
Mama Bear

Marsha said...

Susan, thank you so much for sharing JOY with me today. It's been a tough week. I needed this. Thank you, dear one.

Ms. Kathleen said...

What an encouraging word and wonderful testimony. Pure Joy can only come from the Lord...His blessings are just so amazing.

God Bless!

Maxine said...

Susan, this is such a wonderful and encouraging post to read. Thanks for sharing your heart and telling us all you've been through but thanks also for sharing your joy. Yes, Jesus is wonderful. Sometimes I forget to be thankful, so thanks so much for reminding me.

Masquerading Mom said...

Susan,

I love reading your musings! What a great way to remind others that there is always something to be joyous about. Thanks for your fatihfulness and encouragement!

Maxine said...

One more thing, Susan. Would it be alright to put a link to this post on my sidebar? I have a section where I put a link to a particular post which I feel is a special blessing to me so others can read it. I change it periodically and it's been a while since I had a new one.

bp said...

Thank you for sharing and the reminder about joy today. I like the picture you included.

Tami said...

I’m so grateful there is more to this life then what we may be going through at this very moment.

Amen, sister, amen! Me too.

Denise said...

Such a lovely post, be blessed.

Aunt Angie said...

I had been over here and read earlier today...and didnt' get a chance to comment...but this post really blessed me---the Lord is awesome :)

Thank you Susan for blessing me with your visit and comment to my post!
God bless you!

twinklemom said...

You're site is absolutely gorgeous!

God bless you for your wonderful list and just for the wonderful person you are!

Unknown said...

Susan,

You are an extrodinary woman. God bless you and thank you for sharing your heart with me.

Love and hugs, Lynn

eph2810 said...

Amen to that, Susan. I know that sometimes the times are hard - especially when we loose one of your loved ones. He will give us the joy and hope to make it through the valley back to the mountain top.

Thank you so much for sharing your grateful heart with us this week.

Blessings to you and yours.

Anonymous said...

What an excellent post- so wonderful and encouraging.

Vicki said...

I know the Lord brought me here to read this particular post. Thank you for sharing your life and heart with us here, but especially for being used of God to speak joy into my own heart. Love you bunches!