But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. – Romans 8:37

He meant it for evil. Is there any doubt of that? Look at what we deal with on a daily basis… does it seem benign to you? Insignificant? Harmless? Painless? How about easy?

Of course he meant it for evil. It’s who he is, it’s what he does, he could have no other intentions toward us.

But, ah, he underestimates our God. No, that’s not right. I think it goes deeper than mere underestimation. I think he cannot fathom the heart and mind of our God. It is beyond his capabilities because that much good, even as only a contemplation would make his head explode.

Today, as I think of all of the things I am thankful for, as I call to mind each of my blessings, as I savor the lovely things of my life… I will turn those very things he meant for evil into a praise that I offer my King.

I choose thankfulness as my weapon of choice for today. I fight the enemy by being thankful for the very things he has tried to use to crush me.

I am thankful for a chronic illness and disability that pull me closer to my Savior on a daily basis.I am grateful for the empathy that this pain gives me for others. I savor the losses as well as the gains, because each one has helped to soften me for the molding.

I embrace the tears because they release my pain to the One who is big enough to hold it, and cares enough to keep each precious drop. I revel in the laughter because those moments are no longer taken for granted, but held close and brought out like a precious and shining treasure on dark days.

Today is Thanksgiving. And I am oh, so Thankful. Because the God of Joseph is also the God of Shelly. He’s the God of YOU.

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.– Genesis 50:20

Happy Thanksgiving, One and All!

Dear Lord, not only today, but every single day all year through, I offer my thanks and praise to You. It will never be enough, but it is all that I have, and I will strive to not become distracted from it. Thank you for bearing my sins, my grief, my pain, my faults, and my insignificance on that cross. I cannot wait to spend eternity with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…

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May God Bless You,

Shelly