Giving Thanks Daily: Thankful Life

His Masterpiece… living toward perfection, but not perfect!

“Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” ~ Ephesians 2:9-10 (New Living Translation)

I have felt much better lately, and I know that there are several other writers here who are having more challenges. I praise God for His mercies for all of us; for the good days, amazing moments and times that need even more tenderness from our Father. Over the past few years I have gone from devastation and depletion of energy to a kind of normal - really, normal is something I am not familiar with, but something that seems normal in my head anyway. Last week I had a scare.... a run to the emergency room from work with chest pains, shortness of breath and other unexplained symptoms... no explanation for any of it, EXCEPT, enemy attack. Although, the doctors and tests revealed nothing of notability, there has been some aftermath from the ordeal... my normal tired was even more tired... and my rapid heart rate was a bit more rapid this past week - but I am truly grateful for the awareness that comes from the physical challenges that come up.

My heart is Yours LORD... fast or slow and I am grateful that You have it.

I find that I can get quite settled into my days. And when I am 'settle', I tend to become lax in my routine. I don't want routine, I want God. And, as I prayed a few weeks ago for the dryness to leave, I was urged on several occasions to let go and move in to being uncomfortable... needing guidance and prayer and His sustaining presence.

It's not that I crave physical challenges, it's that I seem to need them to be drawn in... so I welcome whatever He has that does just that. Thank You Father for creating me with need... moving me toward Your hope in times of challenge... and giving me new desires of my heart through trials.

So, what does His masterpiece in me look like? UNFINISHED… UNREFINED…. UNCULTURED…..

He is all I need, and all I need is to know my need for my King, my Savior, my Hope, my Redeemer and the love of my life.

The emptiness that comes from contentment is deafening for my heart and soul. It sucks the life right out of me… I desire to be drawn near, and nearer! My prayer tonight is, “Do this LORD in any and all ways You see fit; thank You Father for not letting me settle in to the world’s contentment and satisfaction; help me be like Christ, in desire, actions and appeal to others”. DAILY FATHER, LET IT BE YOU, THROUGH IT ALL!

“Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.” ~Colossians 2:8 (New Living Translation)