I'm thankful....

[OneAccord]

...for the things the Lord didn't do.

Its odd, isn't it? Maybe its the mood I'm in. I use to love the holidays. Thanksgiving. Christmas. Even Halloween. I use to love them. But, for reasons a few of you may know, the holidays don't mean alot to me now. Even now, I'm suppose to be on the road to spend Thanksgiving with friends in Tennessee. But... well, I'm having to make myself get ready. Not that I don't love and appreciate them. I do, but, well, holidays are just days off from work now. And I'd rather be working.

I remember last Thanksgiving. I declined an invitation to spend Thanksgiving with family. Just couldn't bring myself to pretend to enjoy a holiday meal. So, I stayed home. Alone. Someone offered to bring me a plate, undertsandintg why I just couldn't do the holiday thing. But, they didn't show. I had no Thanksgiving Day meal. Oh, don't feel sad for me, because, in fact, I'm glad they didn't show. Because, well, I was telling someone here on AFF about it, and she prepared a meal and sent it to me by UPS. This kind and thoughtful gesture taught me something about how we, Christians first, Affers second, have God's love for one another in our hearts. We care about each other.

So, maybe its the mood I am. But, I'm thankful for the things God didn't do for me this year. I'm thankful that I didn't win the lottery because the sudden wealth may have corrupted me. But, then again, I didn't play the lottery which may explain why I didn't win.

I'm thankful that God didn't send a special someone into my life yet, because that lets me know shes still out there, and, in spite of who I think I might want to share my life with, He has a better plan for me. Or maybe He has sent someone, and I just don't know it yet.

I'm thankful He didn't make a way for me to take my trip out west. That gives me something to look forward to next year. Or the next. Or....

I'm thankful He didn't answer my every prayer how and when I thought He should have. That taught me maybe I shouldn't be trying to tell God His business. It taught me why I need to have patience, and to trust Him more.

I'm thankful He didn't give me that job I wanted. If He did, I'd be in Minnesota right now. And, rumor has it that Minnesota is no place to be in the winter months.

I'm thankful He didn't provide a job as quickly as I had hoped He would. This taught me that I can be self-reliant. I CAN do some things for myself. I can rely on, not just the God above, but also on the God within.

Oh, I have much to be thankful for. I met Renda, Joe and Teresa. And "Bro. and Sis Cupples" (Thats for you Sherri). I met ForeverBlessed and others. And I attended a church service at Love and Truth Church in Jackson. And we had our very first AFF Gathering. I spent time with Bro. and Sis Raven, and was honored to be present at Bro. Raven's mothers homegoing.

I'm thankful I "reconnected" with friends from long ago. Pastor Malcolm Gardner, my friend Jesse and many others. And I am a part, a small part, but a part nonetheless, of a church family.

Yes, come to think of it, I am thankful for all the Lord has done for me this year. However, maybe its the mood I'm in, but I'm also thankful for what He hasn't done...