Thankful Thoughts 2012

It's good to be home to rest and catch up with family! These days it is also a refreshing breath to step away from Detroit and gain a fresh perspective and heart to engage...

This morning, my mom and I had devotions together up in my room and shared what we are thankful for in this past year...but before I share my list, I want to share a cute moment from yesterday.

Yesterday afternoon, I had only two students left after lunch. I was sitting at my desk finishing up some work when I came over - "Hey, Ms. Martin, guess what I made?" He had made a cross on a peg board. "It's from the church of God," he said, holding up his peg board with a huge smile. I'm thankful for the light in his eyes that reminds me of God's good work not only in and through I's life (he's autistic but that "label" is becoming less and less true of him) but also in each student at our school, and in my own heart.

Here is I's journal from yesterday - "What are you thankful for?" - God blesses me so much through this child's heart to thank God for things I rarely stop to give thanks for. He wrote -

I'm thankful for school. 

I'm thankful for love. 

I'm thankful for numbers. 

I'm thankful for snack. 

I'm thankful for morning line. 

I'm thankful for books. 

A few things I give God thanks for this year - 

- continued health

- opening my heart more and more to a community of love (both to give and receive)

- faithfulness in calling and provision

- working powerfully in our LIFE group, bringing many through word of mouth, including those who don't know Christ but can still find a space to call home and explore more of who God is - for me, what we do is all about them and others who would not otherwise have a faith community

- opening our eyes through connections with other churches in Detroit to see the many ways God is moving in the city

- partnership - every bit of it is a gift

- sisters to keep me accountable and grow together with, mentors who give me a glimpse of what's ahead

- time to spend with family and friends

- a joy where I can invest and daily learn; a job where God is the only one who can be in control

- small wins with the children in my classroom every day

- opening my mind to understand the foundational power and rich gift of the Word and to take in His truth (John 8:32 coming alive in my life this year!)

- Sabbath times

- opportunities to learn

What are you thankful for today?