This sums everything up, perfectly.

Verse

I am but a child in the hands of my Lord

He carries me through rushing rivers, takes me home

When I cannot see, will my faith sustain?

I find my strength in your love, oh in your love

 

Chorus

It is well with my soul.

 

Verse

You are my God who gives breath to my lungs

Maker of all, to You I belong

I hold the hand of my father up above

I have no fear, carried now by perfect love

Thankful.

So, I claim defeat.  It's only February and I missed posting last week.  I'm temporarily disappointed but am able to justify it based on my current level of stress.  Which, is why I'm so thankful.

I'm thankful for my job.  This is the one that I've had a really hard time admitting to be thankful for these days.  Management has changed and my job has basically tripled in requirements which makes me leave most nights feeling completely unaccomplished and unsuccessful.  But, I have a job; it pays my bills; I'm thankful.

I'm thankful for friends who are not conditioned by the number of miles that separate us.  Said friends know the perfect time to send texts, articles, movies, quotes (like the one to the right), and encouragement.  We may not talk every day but each time we do, we pick right up where we left off.  I'm so thankful for phones, and webcams (if that's even a thing anymore) so I can see some of my most treasured friends when it's just not realistic to travel hundreds of miles (if I ever win the lottery, this will become a non-issue!)

I'm thankful for my boyfriend - he puts up with me, enough said.  No, but really.  I'm so thankful for the circumstances that have occurred in each of our lives to bring us to where we are now.  I'm not sure what the future holds, but I'm super excited for it.

I'm thankful for Jesus.  I'm thankful for His unending and unwavering love, even when I don't deserve it.  He continually blesses me, guides me, strengthens me and challenges me.  I know He has put me where I am in life for a reason; it's my duty to embrace it.  

I'm thankful for The Anchor Church which blesses me weekly with encouragement and accountability.  The friendships that have formed because of this church have been incredibly overwhelming.  I don't know where I would be if Anchor didn't welcome me with open arms.

So, while life my be absolute chaos, I'm beginning to accept it.  I'm trying to embrace the busy and remain optimistic.  Seems like it's a constant battle but I'm so thankful for this life.

Renewal

Being a follower of Jesus is a real game changer.  It doesn’t just mean to proclaim you believe in Christ, it requires you to prove it.  “…imitate Him, carry on His ministry, and become like Him in the process.”  It's not like this isn't something I haven't known, but it really hit me like a ton if bricks. It's too easy to get caught up in the ways of the world and become "normal". So, I've been making a conscious effort to change that for myself. My goal is to be less concerned with me and how well my day is or isn't going and focus on the things that matter. It may seem silly but every morning I have been trying to remember to prep myself to have a good day. I remind myself (through telling my boyfriend) that today is going to be a good day because I'm going to make it that way; no matter what satan tries to throw at me I will not let it affect the joy that I feel in my heart; the stress of the day cannot consume me. Honestly, this past week I have been absolutely amazed at how different I feel. Re-routing complaints into praises is something so simple yet so powerful. 

1 Peter 1:8 “Though you have not seen him, you love him.  Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.”

I'm so thankful for this renewed outlook. Needless to say, I really enjoy reading this book, Multiply, with The Anchor and can't wait to see God continue to reveal Himself through this series.