Giving Thanks

Writing what I am thankful for seems like the easiest thing in the world. I could sit down and type out the “normal” things to be thankful for: family, friends, and my house. I could even sit down and type out things that are important to me: nail polish, hair products, or makeup. Even though I am thankful for all of the items I listed, being thankful has is so much more than rambling off a list of things we like. I think that being thankful is having a deep and sincere gratitude for something. When I say I am thankful for something, it means I could never imagine not having it in my life. It would feel unnatural if it wasn't there. So while I am thankful for all of the cliché blessings God has given to me, I am really thankful for words, confidence and the ability to serve my Savior.

Have you ever stopped to think about the power that our words have over people? A single word, or a series of words, can change a person’s entire day. Words have the ability to start wars, create terrible works of fiction, or to convince a person that he or she does not deserve life. Words also have the power to change hearts, build others up or to create a literature phenomenon for young teenage girls. Words are everything and I am so thankful that God gave me a voice and the ability to be heard. In my own life, I use words to express myself. I am thankful for encouraging words or prophetical words that have been spoken over me and that have shaped me into the person I am today. I am thankful that I have the power to use my words to motivate a middle school girl, or encourage one of my friends when they are hurting. Whether in speaking or writing, I deeply hope that my words reflect the person of Jesus Christ. I also like to think of myself as an acceptable writer, and I am thankful that God has given me the ability to put my thoughts down on paper in an understandable way. I am extremely grateful for my words.

Along with the ability to speak, I am thankful for the confidence that God has given me. There was a time in my life that I had little to no self-confidence. My opinions and my ideas didn’t matter, I was average, and I didn’t exactly have friends. I am so thankful that God was able to change my perspective. He showed me a beautiful woman whom He created and blessed with her own unique talents. I am thankful that God showed me how special and exquisite each human being is, and that comparing myself to them was useless because I am my own person. I am thankful that God has also blessed me with the ability to speak truth into young women’s lives, those who do not see that they are a beautiful creation. I no longer fear the ministry that God has called me into because of the confidence I carry.

I am also thankful that God can use my words and my confidence to bless those around me, and ultimately to serve Him.  I was called into ministry at a very young age. I was probably 5 or 6 when I understood how God wanted to use me to help others around me. I walked away from what God wanted me to do because of my lack of confidence and my dwindling trust in the Lord. Luckily God never gave up on me. He graciously extended His hands and opened my eyes to my stubbornness. I am thankful that God is currently developing the gift of public speaking in me. I know that He has huge plans for my life and I am so thankful that He has chosen me to serve Him in a ministry capacity.  I am thankful for the spiritual gifts that He has blessed me with and for sending others into my life to help me develop them. I am in awe at how willing God showers His blessings on us.

The Bible tells us to “give thanks to the Lord.” It is easy for me to include a few thank you’s in my nightly prayer, but I would definitely like to become more attuned to thanking Him each day for the special gifts He has given to me. Another way to respond to God’s blessings in my life is to use the talents that He has given me. I know that I did not use them when I was younger, but now that I understand the importance they have on my life, I will be mindful to use them. I am thankful that we serve such a powerful and magnificent God who is so generous. Being thankful shouldn’t be something reserved for a Thursday in November, thanksgiving should become an act of worship in our daily lives.