During November, I posted a "Thankful" every day on Facebook. Meant to post them here too. So here they all are together... 30 days of Thankfulness....
Day 1 - God's Word which is more than ink on a page! Hebrews 4:12 tells us it is living and active. I am thankful for it and for the privilege to study it with sweet sisters in Christ.
Day 2... Provision... I am so thankful that God always provides what our family needs. Not necessarily everything we want, but what we need! And honestly, He has provided much of what we want too! AND in this, I pray that He gives me a grateful and content heart! Even the poorest soul in the USA has more than most of the people that live in other countries in our world. We are truly blessed!
Day 3 -- Thankful for an extra hour to sleep tonight! Seriously... I need it!
Day 4 -- Thankful for a Pastor who follows the lead of the Holy Spirit and preaches the Word with courage and boldness.
Day 5 -- Thankful that yet while I was still a sinner, Jesus died for me. (Rom. 5:8) Salvation -- No greater gift!
Day 6 -- Today's Thankful is fairly obvious.. I am thankful for the right, privilege, responsibility, freedom to vote! And for those who made (and are keeping) it possible!
Day 7-- thankful for my church family.... We laugh and cry together... Pray for and encourage each other... Worship together... And much more... We are far from perfect and love each other anyway!
Day 8 -- thankful for all the "Sisters" God has placed in my life over the years. I am an only girl in a family of boys. But throughout my life God has given me just the right sister-friends at just the right time!
Day 9 -- Today I am thankful for my neighbors. We have lived in this house for 21 1/2 years and have great neighbors! Some have changed over the years, but many have stayed the same. Our neighborhood is a great family place.. you will find folks walking, biking, kids laughing and playing all around Huntcliff. I thank the Lord for leading us here in 1991!
Day 10 --thankful for Clinton, MS. I remember Bill and I driving into Clinton for the first time as we were trying to decide where to live in the Metro area. We knew instantly this was home and it has been for 26 years. Clinton is a close-knit family-oriented community....a great place to raise kids...a great place to live!
Day 11 --on this Veteran's Day, I am thankful for those who have served like my Grandfather in WW1 & my dad and father-in-law in WW2.. And for those serving now, like my nephew, Collier, my favorite Marine! We benefit every day because of their service and sacrifice.
Day 12 -- Thankful for my good health. Something I think I take for granted. Had my annual physical exam today. 50 and fabulous! All my numbers were great... Bill and the kids are stuck with me a bit longer (Lord willing!)
Day 13 -- I was going to save being Thankful for my sweet William to the last day of November... saving the best for last.. but cannot wait that long! So thankful for this wonderful man the Lord sent my way. I am having a rough day today and he is all about making it better! He has always been great to help around the house and with the kids and never once complained.... he worked for years in a stressful job situation to provide for his family (And PTL God provided a change this summer to something sooo much better!)... he was 100% behind my decision to stay home with the kids and later to homeschool... and he understands my role in caring for an elderly parent these days. He often has to take last place with my time and attention, but doesn't fuss and is always there waiting for me. He loves the Lord and often amazes me with wisdom that can only come from listening to God. He loves our kids passionately and is there for them no matter what, when or why. And he puts up with the wild weiner dogs! LOL! He will always be my knight in shining armor...
Day 14 -- I am thankful for my daughter, Katherine Campbell... she is my precious firstborn... my favorite daughter! LOL! The best Valentine's present I ever got! We have had and continue to have lots of fun momma / daughter times .. we have been blessed to have never really had a season in life where we didn't speak (as moms and daughters often do)... She was born with a heart full of love and compassion and caring... a strong sense of right and wrong and a passion for justice... and she fell in love with Jesus at an early age and has been growing in her relationship with Him ever sense. She knows the value of chocolate, a good book, long hot baths and pedicures! She can be a tad bit stubborn (that is the "Jean" in her) but she is also fiercely loyal and sticks by her friends no matter what. From day 1 folks have told us how beautiful she is.. and they are right.. her smile is magical! but her beauty goes far beyond what the eye can see... She is managing a job and grad school and living with my mom! No doubt she can handle anything that comes her way! I love you, Kay-Doodle! You are my heart!
Day 15 -- Thankful for my "baby" boy... Luke Campbell My sunshine... no one can boost my spirits or make me laugh the way Luke can. He came into this world "singing" loud and arms flailing (I think he was looking for a guitar to play) and hasn't slowed down since! Anyone who knows me knows he is my favorite musician / worship leader. I could listen to him sing and play music forever. But he is more than a big bundle of musical talent. He has a sharp wit.. a keen mind for business.. and the depth of his faith blows me away. He is the worshipper described in John 4:23-24... and he is a Man after God's on heart. What more could a mom wish for! The boy seems to be able to do anything he sets his mind too... very much a renaissance man. And while he is so like his mother in personality, he has his dad's sense of leadership, integrity, work ethic and protectiveness over those he loves. If my Daddy were still here, he would say "He's a fine boy." And he is!
Day 16 -- I am thankful that as a believer I can come boldly before the throne of God and laydown my burdens, as well as those I carry for others. (Heb 4:16. Gal. 6:2). This week has been one of need after need after need.. a friend's mom was hospitalized for heart issues and while there the friend's husband lost his job and his sister died... the tragic wreck in Crystal Springs that claimed the lives of 3 children and their great-grandmother... the men killed in the plane crash in Jackson... the issues in Israel... a friend's grandchild is ill and the doctors cannot figure out what is wrong.. people in the hospital with pneumonia, cancer and other health issues.. financial stress.. marital problems... on and on and on... it can seem overwhelming BUT GOD... those are 2 of the best Words in the Bible.. BUT GOD is Sovereign in everything and He does not call me or you to carry these burdens alone... in fact, He tells us to GIVE them to Him.. (Matt 11:28, 1 Peter 5:7). Thank You, Father! The load is too heavy for my feeble shoulders to bear.
Day 17 -- Thankful for food... seriously... I am not talking about loving to eat, I am thankful that we have food in the pantry, fridge, freezer etc. That we have the money to go to the store and purchase what we need (and what we want). Hunger is epidemic in this world.. and the US is not immune. So many go to bed each night with empty bellies and no assurance of a meal when they wake up. Our church has a food pantry (that needs to be filled!), as do other churches and ministries.. there are soup kitchens and shelters that provide meals to homeless... please, please take the time to give to these.. send $, take food, give of your time to serve others. Let God bless someone through you and I promise you will be blessed too! “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat..." Matt. 25:34-35
Day 18 -- Thankful to see God at work in the "younger" generation. So often I hear folks talking about the problems with the youth today.. and I admit there are problems just as there have always been. But there are good "kids" out there.... God is raising up a generation that, I feel, is like no other. I see high school, college age and young adults on fire for the Lord....seeking Him... digging into the Word and really looking to see HOW to live it out. I challenge you to take time to talk with the "younger" generation.. you just might be surprised at what you find there.
Day 19 -- Today's Thankful is focused on material blessings.. specifically our cars! Here's the deal.. in 30 years of marriage Bill and I have purchased 9 cars (we drive them til they die!) .. that includes 1 for each of our 2 kids and 7 for Bill and I. The first 2 had car notes but since 1989 we have not had a note! And since 1992 we have lived on 1 income. God has kept vehicles going and provided the funds to purchase "new" (new to us) ones when He deemed it time. He blows me away with His provision! And when I would have those moments of feeling sorry for myself because I didn't have a newer vehicle.. or a cute one ... or come such silliness, I remembered that we each have a car that is paid for... no sharing... We act like it is a necessity, but it isn't.. it is a luxury.. one I often take for granted.
Day 20 -- Thankful for the beauty of nature. God has given us so much to enjoy with our senses. The colors of fall leaves ... Spring flowers... Green grass of summer.. A crisp blue winter sky.. The sounds of birds, crickets, even frogs.... The smell of a soft spring rain, gardenias and sweet olive in bloom... The taste of honeysuckle (I remember plucking them fresh off the vine at my grandmother's)....the feel of clover under bare feet... Wind on your face... I love God's beautiful creation!
Day 21 -- thankful that death is not the end for a Believer... "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants."(Psalm 116:15 NIV) I rejoice knowing that Bill Gambill is standing before The Lord whole and healed. And while my heart aches for his sweet Frances, I rejoice in the assurance that she is being held and comforted by her Lord.
Day 22 -- Thankful for the freedoms we have in this country... I am well aware of the changes in recent years.. the threats to our freedoms.. but as of today, we can still worship openly.... speak our mind... share Jesus... and so much more. Don't take these freedoms for granted....
Day 23 - Thankful today that I come from a family with a legacy of marriage and married a man who has the same. My folks were married 46 years.. their folks 49 and 58... Bill's folks 54.. his grandparents.. ready for this? 71 years! We are aiming to break that record! Today, we are going to celebrate my uncle and aunt's 50th wedding anniversary. In an age where divorce is more and more the norm, it is wonderful to have examples of folks not just being in love but being committed to staying together and having the Lord at the center of their marriage.
Day 24 -- in my drug induced state, I forgot to post a Thankful yesterday... Will go with an easy and obvious one... I am Thankful my Rebs won the Egg Bowl! Hotly Toddy!!!
Day 25 -- Thankful for the "Pauls" in my life... Those women who have shared wisdom and their love for The Lord and His Word with me. My mom and my grandmothers definitely fall into this group... As do others like Jinnie Boyd, Mot Lyons, Gale Jones and Lois Walker Breneman. I share things I learned from these ladies often! Thankful for each one!
Day 26 -- Thankful for Internet Shopping and Cyber Monday deals... I am not a big fan of shopping, so this is the way to go for me! But I do spread some $$$ locally too... I like finding unique .. quirky.. special gifts in little local shops. AND I am thankful that our family doesn't go crazy with gifts.. that my kids know there is a lot more to Christmas than presents under the tree (and the debt that often comes with them!)
Day 27 --- thankful for books and the ability to read. I really cannot remember when I could not read. Memorized and repeated stories my mom read to me or from my record player. Had those read along books... Mom said I would read them to my dolls and at end of each page I would say"turn the page" just like it said on the record! I was reading on my own at 4... Devoured books.. Still do. A total bookworm. And I love it! Fiction.. Non-fiction.. And most of all the Word! Parents, turn off tv, take a break from computer, Video games, iPad etc. and read to your kids! Teach them the value of reading... Expanding your mind... Being still and quiet and soaking up knowledge... Letting go of cares of the world and escaping into a great story! Books are magical!
Day 28 -- Yep, got busy and forgot to post yesterday! Thankful for the busyness in my life ... most days! LOL I love that my life is full... From my kids(who still need Mom even though they are grown) to my mother who requires more of my time these days... To ministry / church activity....taking care of my hubby and home... And other things that take up my time... I complain at times of being too busy, but I would hate to have nothing to do... No purpose... No one needing me... No call on my life. The key (and I don't always do this well) is balance. Learning to say no.. Stop and rest.. Relax... Think that will be a goal for 2013... Balance!
Day 29 -- Thankful for music. I grew up in a family of music lovers with varied tastes... So I tend to be very eclectic musically. My dad sang me to sleep with Patsy Cline and Hank Williams... Clarence would play Otis Redding and Ike and Tina as he drove me to school... Dan serenaded me with Simon and Garfunkel's Scarborough Fare, Alyson introduced me to America and Mother sang hymns and a funny wake-up song she made up. I grew up with Michael Jackson, Dan Fogelberg, the Comadores, Pink Floyd, Queen, Carly Simon, JT, and so many more! Love the old big band singers and rat pack! Some of my best memories were singing in the gym at Trinity at Christmas. Mrs. Parker was in center pounding out carols on the grand piano as we sang. I still revert to Latin when I hear "O Come all ye Faithful." My Mama Daisy set me in front of her piano when I was a tot and announced I would play one day! I married a musical fella and our home has been filled with song ever since. And one of my absolute favorite ways to worship is through music. Music.. One of life's greatest pleasures... No doubt a precious gift from The Lord.
Day 30 -- I am thankful for life.. the one God has given me and the one to come at death. The Word makes it clear that I am not an accident... God knit me together in my mother's womb (Ps 139) .. He has a plan for me (Jer 29:11).. and He has good works prepared for me to do from before the beginning of time (Eph 2:10)... I have had valleys and mountaintops and everything inbetween, but I have never once been alone (Heb 13:5)... I have been blessed in ways I never even imagined to ask... and the really cool thing is I know without a shadow of a doubt that once I leave this earth, my life will not end... in fact, my true life... one that is perfect.. no pain, no sorrow.. all mountaintop.. will begin and it will last forever! If you do not have that certainty.. you can. It is really very simple and straightforward. If you believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord and confess with your mouth God raised Him from the dead, you WILL be saved. (Rom 10:9-10). You do not have to clean up your act... get yourself together... say magic words.. do good deeds to earn it... nope.. Free Gift! (Eph 2:8-9) Yours for the taking! If anyone here wants / needs to know more, please message me. I would love to talk with you.. pray for you... I am hoping for a HUGE reunion in Heaven one day with friends from all walks of my life... will you be there?
