Thankful Thursday

My daughter came to me a couple of nights ago and told me that she had been hearing people say bad things about God. From references on tv and movies, to classmates, and in books, she was noticing an assault by humanity on the existence and holiness of God. She started crying and said, "It makes me feel bad." I acknowledged that it made me angry too, to have my Lord shunned and disrespected. Her next words pierced my heart: "I feel bad for the people saying those things. I wish they could know Jesus."

Wow. Why doesn't compassion for the souls of the lost overcome me like that? Is that one of the ways I can become more childlike: to have grief rather than anger at attacks on God? In reality, those who reject God are securing their doom. That should break my heart. And lead me to my knees for the souls of these lost people.

• I'm thankful for my daughter's tender heart toward God and the lost. "Lord, please fan that in her."
• I'm thankful for God revealing my hardness of heart in this area. "Father, continue to soften my heart."
• I'm thankful that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. "Father, help me to remember your mercies of the past, and to take faith as my shield for the future."
• I'm thankful that my mom decided to make a career change and is now nearing the completion of her training and on the verge of starting on a new journey. "Lord, Please be with her as she takes the test in Portland today. Help her to recall all that she has learned. May this step of faith be a testament to your love and faithfulness and an example to others in my family that they can change and improve their lives with God's help."
• I'm thankful for new blogging friends. "Lord may Heather and I make all the connections online that you intend us to. May we encourage and bless our sisters even as we are encouraged and blessed by them.

Happy Thursday! For more Thankful Thursday posts, visit Iris at Sting My Heart.

posted by Reese