Thankful Hearts

I read a sign once at a great little store. It said "Oh giver of all things, grant me one more wish: a thankful heart." I wish I would have bought it. I would put it in my kitchen at home as a constant reminder of how I want my heart to be. It is amazing with all of the blessings that he has given me that it takes a national holiday for me to truly reflect on what I am thankful for. Actually, I do acknowledge each day those things that have blessed me, but I do not want this holiday to pass without a fervent presence of a thankful heart. My goal this week, in the craziness of the travel (with the other 47 million travelers this thanksgiving), and preparation, is to hour by hour be thankful for all the Lord has blessed me with. It is so much. It is way more than I deserve.

In this moment, I am most thankful for prayer. Last week I was struggling over how much Mark has been gone this fall, and I asked Mark to pray over it. I had never asked Mark for help with it. I know that he prayed, he emailed it to me. It was amazing. It worked. By the time that Mark had gotten home that night, my anxiety over the travel was gone. It is amazing how he worked in this situation that had been brewing in my heart of discontent for awhile.

I am so thankful that in this way, all of my prayers and petitions, can be brought to God. I am ever thankful that he listens, even when I have been down the road before; that he hears and answers in ways that I most need. We have been given the privilege of having a direct line of communication with our savior. We are blessed.

I have recited this verse so many times, but this morning I saw a new piece to it:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, WITH THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

We are to be thankful to be able to present our requests to God. AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!

Requests: We are traveling to Seattle tonight (pray for travel mercies). And now, dear friends, how can I pray for you this thankful season?