Give thanks in all things...edited

After talking to my smart husband I decided to reword a few things. I don't think it is safe to say that I am thankful for sin when sin displeases god. So...

I am thankful that god delivered us from lust and pornography. I am thankful that he delivered me from controlling jealousy that took over me because of it. I am thankful that god healed our marriage for it to be built back up stronger than it was before on a foundation of God. I am thankful that he has given us all that we needed to be able to honestly say that we are victorious over the stronghold that lust and jealousy held in our marriage. I am thankful that he has used the crappiest situation to bring me closer to Him. If I knew not how disguisting, hateful, and selfish lust and jealousy were, I would not have known its opposite....Christ's love. I am also thankful that it happened for we are now able to reach out to other couples who are struggling with the same situation.

That is easy for me to say that I am thankful for all of that now, because all of that has been redeemed. Christ has made all of that right. Christ has shown himself in all of that and been glorified in all of that.

If you had asked me to say that 3 or 4 years ago...I couldn't have done it. I would have cursed you for being so insensitive to my feelings. I would have said, "You don't understand." I pray today for the people who are in the midst of situations that have not yet been redeemed. I know it is hard to say thank you in the middle of all that. Know that a day comes when everything will be redeemed and made right.

Other things I am thankful for.....

• the Lord's provision in moving away
• my parents for their support and just making me laugh when I am around them
• Jeff's parents for loving me just as much (if not more...haha) than their son
• my loving husband and his commitment to me. he teaches more about discipline every day. i so look up to him and respect him.
• my son. he is healthy and full of energy and learning new things every day. i love him and love being his mommy.
• Jenni and Tiyum for being our best friends.
• Daniel and Mary for being our best friends.
• my house
• my job and the people that he placed there for me to be friends with
• Jeff's job. For the way that God placed that ministry in our laps. For the way God chooses regular old unequipped and unqualified people to be a part of something big. That is exciting.
• Taylor. I am thankful for what she teaches me and for her genuine and real spirit.
• I am thankful for Christ "sweeping me off my feet." I am thankful that he is beautiful and loves me unconditionally. I am thankful that he can meet all of my needs. I don't even deserve to have my needs met.

When I told Jeff about this challenge this is what he said. "I am thankful for student loans." haha....true. Not fun to say you are thankful for massive amounts of debt. However, if there were no such thing as student loans, he would not be going to school!