Giving Thanks @ Thanksgiving

When asked to give my testimony, I never know what to say. God didn’t come into my life on a blazing horse, saving me in the middle of some catastrophic event or dark moment. As far back as I can remember, I always remember him being there. Which is amazing since I didn’t grow up in a Christian home.

Yet to look back over my life is to see the constant impression of God’s fingerprints and his divine plan connecting each joy and trial to the next in an amazing display of perfect planning and preparation.

I believe God ingrained Romans 8:28 into the very cells of my body and mind. I knew this truth as a young child before I ever read that Scripture. In fact, everything fell into place the first time I read it, and I finally understood the pattern of my life. That God was, is and will be that pattern.

Read the rest at S.U.M.

And Getting Older

Another birthday has come and gone, celebrated with family, calls from friends, and an inbox full of e-cards and special notes.

I am truly blessed. A huddle of cards sit on the table, surrounding the area I sit at each morning to do my quiet time. I intend to leave them there for at least a week as a reminder of how many wonderful people God has put in my life.

First, here's a little trivia about the number 42:

• Level 42, the British pop and funk band, formed in 1980 and became my absolutely favorite group as I entered my first year of college. Anybody remember the funny blond dude in the clown outfit in the music video. Ah, such memories of MTV when it was gooooooooooood.
• According to the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, the answer to life, the universe and everything is 42. (I'll get back to you on that in about 364 days.)
• According to Wikipedia, 42 is also the second sphenic number to be bracketed by twin primes. (Yeah, I just cut and pasted that one in.)
• The Orion Nebula Messier 42 (M42, NGC 1976) is the brightest starforming, and the brightest diffuse nebula in the sky, and also one of the brightest deepsky objects of all.
• As of October 18, 2007, iGoogle was available in 42 languages.
• The Gospel of Matthew lists 42 generations (names) for the genealogy of Jesus.
• The number of months the Beast will hold dominion over the earth according to Revelation 13:5.

Now what I'm thankful for:

• A merciful and loving God who claimed me for his very own.
• A wonderful, loving, and passionate man who married me over twenty years ago and has stuck by my side no matter what.
• Two beautiful and talented daughters who amaze me everyday that I could have had anything to do with it!
• A circle of friends, specially picked by God to uphold me in prayer, encouragement, and love.
• That I can pray, encourage and love that circle of friends mentioned above, and have the honor of being a part of their lives.
• That everyday is a new opportunity to do living and loving even better.

May God bless you richly with his love and mercy, and never, ever let you forget how much HE LOVES YOU!

Blessings :-)