For almost six months now, I have seen people struggle in life and endure hardship after hardship. I wonder if it ever crosses their mind about the lifestyle they live and just maybe their actions and the way they choose to live their life are the reasons for these constant hardships. What if God is putting them through these situations to show them something. To show them they are trusting in the wrong things or relying too much on people instead of Him. (I am in no way saying being born-again means you do not endure hardships because we do and Jesus did!)

What I am saying is this: when my husband and I are having hard times in whatever, we do not overly stress (we still stress but not as much as most people). For, "a Christian is one who's MORE bothered by his sin than his suffering." (Burk Parsons)

We know whose hands our future lays in.
We know who our Provider is.
We know who carries our burdens when they become too much for us.
We trust in God.

For the people, who consistently look to other people to provide for them, look to others to care their burdens and trust in themselves and others are the people who overly stress. Why? Because people are not perfect and they WILL disappoint you.
God WILL NOT!!

Trust in Him, beloved.
Hand over your burdens to Jesus.
Praise God during your good and bad days.


I noticed I missed last week's thankful list so for this week, I created a list of 14 items I am thankful for instead of my normal 7.

1. Life
2. Salvation
3. Sanctification
4. My husband
5. My husband's job
6. My job
7. Shelter
8. Transportation
9. Church home
10. Blessings
11. Breath
12. Sun
13. Wind
14. Butterflies

The days approaching Valentine's Day, I had many thoughts on how my day would go. I imagined coming home to a beautiful bouquet of red roses, I would be overly smiling and kiss my husband. He would than tell me to get dressed because he is taking me out to eat. Where? To be honest, I did not care where we went to eat. Normally, we go to Olive Garden for Valentine's Day but I was okay if we didn't. (I was mostly excited about spending time with him and receiving the gorgeous flowers.) Anyhow, this was my daydreaming of how the day would be.

Here is how the actual day went:
Before heading to work, my grandmother asked me yet again if Anthony and I had plans to do anything. I told her like I said many times before, "I am not sure what Anthony is planning. I don't want to ask him because I am hoping he will surprise me." So I headed off to work. When the time started getting closer to me getting off, the more excited I got over trying to figure out how my love would surprise me. I finally got off and rushed home. I walked in the house and found my husband in the kitchen cooking. At the time, I was not sure what exactly he was cooking but I did have an idea. He told Babcia and I to sit down at the table and he would serve us shortly. We both sat down and my husband showed us the menu for the night:

Appetizer:
Salad with homemade Italian dressing

Main Course:
Spaghetti
Perogies

Dessert:
Chocolate covered Strawberries
Molten Chocolate Brownie with Vanilla Ice Cream

All this was homemade by my husband except the Perogies. He created each meal with the thought of my grandmother and me in mind. In the beginning, I was bummed because I did not receive the flowers I had been dreaming of the whole day but my love greatly exceeded my expectations for the dinner. I loved how he wanted to incorporate my grandmother during this holiday. I admire my husband all the more seeing his compassion towards Babcia. I am truly blessed.

Thankful List:

1. My thoughtful husband
2. In-laws
3. Lunch with family
4. New opportunities
5. Prayers
6. Cooking
7. Pictures

How was your Valentine's Day? What are you giving thanks to God for this week?

I have had this mind frame for a while that the more I know, the more I will be on the same page as other believers but the more I love and use my gifts to further the gospel the more unity there is with other believers. As Paul said to the Philippians, "complete my joy by being of the SAME mind, having the SAME love, being in full accord and of ONE mind." In the ESV Study Bible, the notes suggest Paul was not speaking of "intellectual uniformity" but speaking of using "their diverse gifts in an agreeable, cooperative spirit, with a focus on the glory of God." I'm so used to being the smart one and I am struggling with that in my walk with Christ. In school, sure fine I can be smart but in Christ I need to love Christ and to love others more than loving the knowledge of Him. I pray and use the Word to pursue God and know Him but the very fire of me pursuing him is out of love for my Creator. And ultimately, "We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19

Here is my thankful list:

1. The Gospel
2. Relax
3. Church home
4. Life
5. Breath
6. Food
7. Wisdom

What are you thankful for lately?

This week has been a very challenging week for me physically, emotionally and spiritually. It was quite hard to keep up with my thankful list and some days I struggled with even being thankful for anything. I got through the week though and intend to reflect on this past week on areas I need to grow in the Lord.

Therefore, instead of my normal ranting I would really love to hear from you guys. How has God encouraged you this week?

Here is my list for this past week:

1. Date night
2. Intense fellowship with my husband
3. Breath
4. Insurance
5. Love
6. Church Camp
7. My sister

What is your thankful list? How do you deal with challenging weeks or days?