By Miriam from Nigeria
I thank you, Lord, for my circle of friends. They are the best I could ever ask for. They know me and support me in just the way that is best for me. They encourage me, inspire me, challenge me, and minister to me. They allow themselves to be used by you to speak to me. It is simply amazing how they understand me. They show me tough love when they have to, but they are also warm and sensitive enough that they don’t hurt me. What a healthy balance. My friends are intentionally available despite their busy schedules. This means so much to me. You, Lord, gave them to me. You knew I would need the right support system, especially now, and you provided that. Lord, I have so much gratitude for this!
I thank you, Lord, for the Orthodox family you have introduced me to. The love, attention, support, and the intentionality and consistency of care they give to me while I am on this journey is…indescribable. Just as you did with my circle of friends, you brought this new Orthodox family into my life at just the right time. And the process of building a relationship with them is so rich and nourishing. Discovering this group of believers and how they live their life is fascinating and inspiring. Only you who loves me this much would do that for me. My heart is overflowing with gratitude, and I am smiling from deep within. Lord, I thank You!
I thank You, Lord, for all the places I am passing through on my journey. I see the beauty you have created through cultures, sceneries and lifestyles. I am blown away by how big and enormous you really are. Yet my encounters and interactions with the people I meet show me how intentional you are about each person you have created. Our numbers do not matter to you. Your love is available and enough for each of us, no matter how many. The world is big in my little human eyes, yet; you created it. Lord, I thank You for the privilege of seeing the vastness of the world that you have created.
I thank you, Lord, for how you are helping me to mature as your child through my present situation. You are opening my inner eyes and ears to see and hear what you are teaching me. Though I may not like where I am and how I am feeling, I am truly grateful for my situation. Because I know there’s a purpose for it. Nothing is unscripted or unplanned in the lives of your children, and since I am your child, I know that it is all good. I am growing stronger, deeper, and richer through this phase of my life. Whether you are guiding me in the little things or the big ones, I can confidently say, thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to grow as your child.
I thank you, Lord, for your forgiveness. I have fallen so many times that I am even ashamed to come to you to ask for your forgiveness. I feel like it is too much to ask for sometimes. But you forgive me every single time. You guide me back on the right path and show me your love. Your love is amazing and I am a living witness to that. Thank you for paying the ultimate price that I might live and experience the realness and richness of that love. I am not taking it for granted. Lord, I thank You.
I thank you, Lord, for the peace that you have given me. It is indescribable, yet so real.
I thank you, Lord, for showing me how to have joy. I choose it every day no matter how I am feeling, and that choice ignites the feeling of deep happiness. Your joy is unspeakable.
I thank you, Lord, for life. I wouldn’t trade this life you have given me for anything except you. Help me showcase your love to the world around me.
Lord, there are so many things that I want to thank you for. As I unpack each one in my heart, I realize how blessed I am in spite of my trials. In fact, where I am is a blessing in itself.
So, again, Lord, thank you! I will continue to live my life by 1 Thessalonians 5:18, and give thanks in everything, because that is your will for me.
Amen.
