Thankfulness

Yes, what more generic thing to Blog about on Thanksgiving evening than Thankfulness....  I know, not very original. :)  But, I feel moved to share that the thing that I am MOST thankful for throughout this past year is my FAITH!   Thank you Lord, so very much, for molding my faith into something so much more deep and amazing than even before!

It has been a very trying year indeed!  And I am certainly thankful for my wonderful children, and that they are both healthy and happy, as at this time last year, they were not...   I am thankful for my job that I love, even though it drives me crazy some days, it is exactly where I should be!  I am deeply thankful for each and every one of the public speaking opportunities that I have had throughout this past year, and LOVE the growth and wonder that speaking has fueled in my life!! I am thankful for many many wonderful things in my life, but most of all, FAITH and GOD'S INFLUENCE on my life!   I cannot even explain how divine guidance has led me through the past year; it is amazing to me every time that I think back on all the spiritual growth that I have experienced! 

I have been terrified, lost, sometimes on the wrong path; I have realized dreams and chased dreams, I have been given opportunities that were only dreams....this has been a year of change!

The many blessings that the Lord has given to me this past year were unreachable in other years, but He has shown me the right paths to work my way down to pursue my dreams!

I am so blessed with a wonderful church family and worship band and other connections at church, that have brought such positivity into my life!  When I needed it most this past year, there have been hundreds of people sending up prayers for my needs or wants, and that is an amazing feeling!  How blessed I am to have such wonderful, loving, Christian people in my life!!

So, to each and every one of you that has prayed for me, pulled for me, listened to me, helped me, counseled me, and laughed with me this past year, THANK YOU!!!!   And THANK YOU LORD for ALL that I have!

Happy Thanksgiving!

"The Gambler"

I gain more and more appreciation for Classic Country Music each time that I perform a tune from that era.  This summer I was fortunate enough to get to perform "The Gambler" by Kenny Rogers, in Medora.   What a fun song to sing and perform for others!

 

A few days ago, I woke up with that song in my head first thing.   I hadn't listened to it for months, so I remember thinking that it was strange that this song was so vivid in my mind that morning.  As I got ready for work, the song just stuck with me, and I kept singing it in my mind, over and over, and even caught myself singing it out loud a few times.   As I was singing "The Gambler", I realized for the very first time, that this song is not about the game of Gambling at all.   I had never before caught the depth of these lyrics.

 

Here is the link to listen now, to Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler"

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj4nJ1YEAp4

 

These lyrics had such a profound effect on me that morning, and throughout the day.   And I still can't shake the feeling of Divine advice in this tune at that time!   In life, we all need to try to "know when to fold", and give in to what is meant to be.  We also need to know what is worth holding onto and fighting for, no matter what.   We strive to know when to "walk away" from something or someone that is not good for ourselves.  And, well, if we feel the urge to "Run" away from something, then we certainly better listen to that urge!

 

Lastly, there is nothing in this earthly life that is worth counting and comparing and tracking.  None of our earthly possessions will be able to accompany us to heaven, nor are they worth anything in the long run!

 

So, God placed this Kenny Rogers tune in my mind that morning, to remind me what is most important in this earthly life.  And I received the clear message, that the people that I love most are the only ones that truly matter; they deserve my time and attention, and all the rest is just stuff!