Thankful Thursday--Even In This

I'm glad today is Thankful Thursday.  Relieved almost.

I'm linking up with Laurie at Women Taking a Stand and I am going to be thankful today so help me God.  ^_^

I planned on posting this earlier today, but God had other plans!  He had some things to teach me about thankfulness this morning and they weren't easy lessons to learn!

If only you could have seen my home in the early hours of the morning...well, wait....I'm not sure if I would've wanted you to see it!  

Lil Sweetness had pulled off her diaper and was laying in the middle of the rug.  Lil Man was building a "fort" around her with every pillow, cushion, and blanket I've ever owned and accidentally stepped on her fingers.  While I rushed to soothe her wails, my future mountain climber, Boss Man, was scaling the dining room table and fell on his head!  I frantically checked him for serious injury while a half-soothed and now angrily screaming Sweetness trailed me.  Boss Man had managed to fling a bowl of milk and cheerios across the dining room floor and of course little feet and hands couldn't resist playing in it while I watched helplessly, trying to console my mountain man.  That was when my neighbor popped in to walk Lil Man across the street for Vacation Bible School.  Bless her heart, she didn't say a word, just helped mop up cheerios and waited patiently for me to dress my still naked three year old.  What a wonderful neighbor!

My hold on sanity was a thin one this morning and I certainly wasn't feeling very thankful for the way the day was beginning.  I tried to start thanking God for all the million little things I had to be thankful for and even the huge answers to prayers that He had been giving...but I was easily distracted by the confusion around me.  Somehow though, in the midst of the chaos, I finally heard him speak...

"Be thankful even in this..."

The verse came to mind, "Be joyful always.  Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  (I Thess. 5:18)

God wants me to be thankful in all circumstances.  Even in this.

I thank my God that even in this... he is giving me an opportunity to grow!

Even in this...he is teaching me to abound in patience, in the fruits of the spirit.

Even in this...God is helping me become more like him.

Even in this...I am learning to rely on the Holy Spirit.  To lean on him.  To follow his example.

Even in this...I can be thankful because God loves me enough to never leave me where I am.

Even in this...I am more than a conqueror through him who loves me!  (Romans 8:37)

When I view my day in such a way, somehow the struggles seem easier, more purposeful.  God is doing a work within me through every circumstance!

And for that I am thankful!

**For more Thankful Thursday posts visit Laurie here.