What I'm REALLY thankful for...
(please read to the bottom) Gratitude and thanksgiving have been in the forefront of our minds for the last week. Most of us have truckloads of things to be thankful for AND, any seasoned believer out there understands that thanks can be offered even in times of suffering because we know that our suffering is used by God in our lives to not only draw us closer to him but to weed out the things that separate us from him.
In the last two weeks or so, my husband and I both turned 50, my children (21 and 18) were home for the holiday break, I found a good, local doctor to help in my fight against a chronic illness and I celebrated the holiday with many friends and family (plus I got to spend 5 weeks with my Pacific Northwest family in October). But, in spite of all this, it's the unrelenting, ever-seeking, ever-chasing love of my precious Savior that makes my heart overflow with gratitude the most.
And while I have still have your attention - before you rush away to cyber Monday and get involved in the hustle & bustle of the holiday season (which I'm about to do) - I desperately want you to know that, if you are his child, no matter how far you've wandered or how deep you've back-slidened, he'll keep chasing you. I want you to know that, if you're his child, there's nothing you can't ask him and there's nothing he won't give you (crying now...). I want you to know that, if you're his child, he'll never relent until he has your whole heart and he'll never cease drawing you to himself 'till you understand and accept his extravagant love for you!
But I'm afraid my puny words are falling short. Will you take one more moment and listen to the words of John Guerra? I've copied the lyrics of his song "Ever-chasing God" below with his Youtube video to follow. Blessings to you my faithful readers...
At the well, I heard You call my name I drew You water but You drew me further My ever chasing God
Through the rain, broken, so ashamed You ran to me from a long way off My unrelenting, my ever seeking My ever chasing God
Seeker when I wasn't sought Redeemer by Your blood I'm bought And by Your grace I'm made what I'm not My unrelenting ever creating My ever chasing God
I was sick, washed up and wasted You took my bruises, I took Your Spirit My ever trading, my ever healing My ever chasing God
Oh this I am for sure You were always with me Yes you will never leave me Oh it's You I'm wanting more More than any one thing That this earth could give me
My Father ever chasing, my chaser ever keeping My keeper ever giving, my ever living God
https://youtu.be/tNPvXPA3-II