The day of my Salvation......

"I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."  Isaiah 61:10

I know the day of my salvation.  I was just 10 years old in the middle of a revival at my home church.  I remember crying and not understanding why I am crying.  Yet I also remember a peace washing over me.  I remember feeling like I had been clothed with garments of salvation as he wrapped his arms around me.  
When my daughter was 6 years old, she was saved.  I am so thankful to have that assurance that I will be forever with her in heaven.  I am so thankful that Jesus is in her heart.  I am thankful she can proclaim: "God's got me."  
I've had a couple of friends whose children have gone far too early to be with the Lord.  My mind cannot fathom that pain, that heartache, that loss; yet my heart is exceedingly glad that I will see those children again because I know who lived in their hearts.  I delight greatly in the Lord.  
Isaiah 61:10 gives me peace when I read it.  This verse assures me of His great love for me.  The God of all creation loves me.  The God who rescues the lost loves me.  The God who created the land and the sea loves me.  The God who heals the brokenhearted loves me.  The God of forgiveness loves even me.

Dear Lord, I am so thankful for your love, your grace, and your mercy.  I am grateful for your garments of salvation and I pray for all my friends who do not have the assurance of salvation today.  I pray you use me as a witness for you, O Lord.  Amen

I have never been more grateful until...

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are overjoyed.  Psalms 126:3

I have never been more grateful until yesterday for the ability to celebrate another birthday.  Though I have had a few trials over the last few years, I am grateful for being able to celebrate yet another year with my friends and family.
I love this verse from Psalms.  This has become my life verse after having a few health related trials myself as well as my husband and daughter.  I believe that your attitude can change the perspective of your own circumstances.  I want to share a story with you about a new mother who proclaimed this verse from Psalms in her worst circumstance...
"I remember the bright white lights as the doctors performed a C-section.  I remember sounds, yet the rest remains very foggy.  I remember my baby's face as she peaked across the curtain and the nurse escorting my baby girl and husband out of the operating room.  The next thing I remember is a doctor standing over me.  All I heard her say at first was "Did anyone tell her what happened?"  My eyes immediately shot open and I repeated over and over, "How is my baby?"  The doctor locked eyes with me and said, "Your baby girl is just fine.  Now you...."  Out I went again.  Yet I felt such a peace come over me in that moment that I had never felt before.  I proclaimed Psalms 126:3 over and over.  The next time I opened my eyes I saw my mother and my husband standing over me.  
Over the next several hours, I was wheeled into ICU, given a 50-50 chance to live, and had just a moment to see my baby girl's face. Yet I felt peace beyond my own understanding.  I felt peace that could only be from the Lord."
That young mother was actually me.  You see just 10 years ago, I was given a 50-50 chance to live, yet God gave me peace in the midst of a dark circumstance.  I believe that the peace given to me allowed me to have a very thankful and grateful heart no matter what was to come.
Today I am thankful for the gift of another birthday --- my 39th --- to celebrate with friends and family.  I choose to Celebrate!  You should too!
Have you told the Father how thankful you are today?

Dear Lord, thank you for another year to celebrate life.  Thank you for friends and family who help me celebrate.  Thank you for the peace that is beyond understanding and for giving us more than we deserve.  Amen