Thursday, November 28, 2013

Thankfulness


Thankfulness is a choice. We either choose to be thankful for the great many things we take for granted every day we are upon this earth, or we constantly feel entitled to more, thereby stirring disquiet in our hearts and never having peace.

Although we have much to be thankful for, thankfulness seems to be in short supply, and though we expect thanklessness from those of the world, it is a sad thing to see it among the children of God as well.

It is because many have fallen into the snare of the enemy, and have come to believe that coming to Jesus means never needing anything ever again, that so many believers are beside themselves when trials come their way, or unexpected things shatter the fantasy that Christians don’t suffer.

What being a believer means is that God the Father will be with us through our trials not that He will cause us to circumvent them. When we understand this simple truth, our lives will be forever changed, and the sporadic thankfulness we express will become a daily, ongoing practice.

Today I am thankful for many things. I am thankful for a loving wife, I am thankful for the healthy baby growing in her womb, (yep, I’m going to be a dad, scariest most wonderful news I’ve received in my entire life), I am thankful for my brothers and sisters in Christ, I am thankful for God’s faithfulness, I am thankful for God’s mercy, I am thankful for God’s love, I am thankful for God’s grace, and yes, I’m even thankful for the trials which serve to mold me and fashion me into that which God desires me to become.

Choose to be thankful. Choose to be thankful not only this day, but every day you are given to walk upon this earth, to see a sunrise, to hear a birdsong, to hug the person next to you, to read a bedtime story to your child, to hold the hand of your parent, to show kindness to a stranger, to extend mercy, to show grace, and to be like Jesus.

We have much to be thankful for.

Oh yeah, did I mention I’m going to be a dad?

With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!

A Sister in Washington said...

Congratulations on the happy news! You'll make an awesome dad.

Anonymous said...

Happy Thanksgiving and Congratulations! Praying for you and your whole family, always!

Love in Christ Jesus,
Susan
Ohachee, AL

Mary Lamoray said...

Congratulations to the both of you!! :)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to the both of you. God is so gracious.
Nila

A Sister in Washington said...

Last Sunday the pastor taught about the history of Thanksgiving, from the 1600s on to the multiple official proclamations done here in the US. All of these traditions are based on the concept of thankfulness, a great feast, and prayer. As I'm sitting here reading the news about how "Black Friday" is giving in to "Grey Thursday" and how more and more stores are choosing to stay open on Thanksgiving, about all the sales, the frantic pitch and intensity of advertising, about all the materialism and greed... How far and how deep into the mire such a fine and mighty nation has fallen. I feel such an overwhelming sadness. I can't help thinking it can't be much longer now. How much more could God possibly tolerate? And yet I know it can still get so much worse.

meema said...

What a wonderful announcement! Praying for a blessed pregnancy and birth. You’ll be a great dad!

For Christ,
Meema

Holly said...

A baby! Wonderful news! May God bless all three of you!

Anonymous said...

Congratualations.

Mondo said...

Again, Congratulations!

It will be great!

Anonymous said...

So very happy for you, Michael. Congratulations! I'll be praying for you and your family in the months ahead.

Anonymous said...

We can never hear it too often --the reminder to be thankful in all circumstances. I am certainly thankful for this blog and thankful you are feeling better. And a heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS to the future parents of baby Boldea!

Praying the Lord's highest and best for you all,

Melanie

Sam Larson said...

Congratulations!!

Glenn in Georgia said...

I am so happy for you and your wife Michael. Being a dad is one of the best parts of my life, as it will be yours. It will add to and round you both out. Blessings.