I have a tendency to complain and to let the whole world know of my sacrifices. I study at university and I also work as a carer for a disabled lady. This week I had accepted evening shifts every day but friday as well as having school in the day. And of course, because I am proud and want praise, I have been telling everyone who would listen about how stressed I am for time now that I have work and school. I wanted people to see my efforts and to be impressed.

But God doesn’t want us to seek the praise of other people, he wants us to work towards pleasing him and to be thankful.

I had a written assignment that wa due friday morning and I phoned up my administrator at work to see if I could get thursday off. That was a few days ago. On Wednesday she rang me up and said she could not find anyone to work in my place so I would have to work anyway. I was a bit disappointed but knew I’d have to make it work.

On the bus going into work that day I felt the urgency to pray. It’s unusual for me to pray on the bus but I felt like I needed to so I did. I thanked the Lord for giving me work and asked him to forgive me my grumbling and bragging. And then I felt the need to thank Him for having to work on Thursday. I was truly sorry for complaining and trying to get people to notice my efforts.

About 30 seconds after I prayed my administrator rang me up again to let me know that someone had just phoned in and taken my shift. I got so happy I was giggling. And it was so clear to me that this was His plan all along. I was supposed to be thankful for working and to ask forgiveness for complaining and then he ironically gave me the Thursday off. I giggled and gave thanks all the way to work.

He cares about us, he cares about the little things. And no doubt in my mind, I would have worked this Thursday if I hadn’t obeyed when I was told to pray and thank Him.

I’m doing my first ever bible study, online together with a group of women from different countries and different places in life. We’re reading through the book of Ephesians and I’m already loving it. Looking at the Bible and studying it rather than just reading it is making me fall more and more in love with Jesus. The Word seems to be opening itself up and instead of just being stories it’s speaking to me. I’ve not been a Christian long and when I got saved it was because of something I read in the Bible which really spoke to my situation. I fell in love with the Bible but somewhere along the way it closed itself on me and I couldn’t seem to really read it anymore. Now it’s slowly opening itself up and I’m enjoying it so very much.

I need suggestions for tumblrs to follow. Preferably by godly men as it’s for my husband. I seem to mostly be following women and he’d rather not. Also I have the feeling he’s not that into the weight loss blogs I follow so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

This morning I went from being obese to being just overweight. I haven’t weighed this little as an adult ever. It’s all so surreal.

Thank you Lord for my body and for the opportunity to finally get healthy. It makes me sad to think that in my country we are so rich that we can eat ourselves unhealthy when your children around the world are starving. Teach me to give thanks for my blessings every day and to never forget that ‘whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Thank you Lord for my journal. It’s somewhere I can be myself and let steam out. And talk to you. When my depression was at it worst it was the therapy I needed. Thank you.

Thank you for the snow that fell today. Even if it was just brief it was a blessing. Seeing the snow painting the grass white lifted my spirits.

Thank you for friends that are willing to help and share, even when I have nothing of my own to bring to the table. I pray I can extend the same grace to someone who needs it.

Lord, the stars are so beautiful and the moon so magical. Thank you for creating such lovely things. Teach me to appreciate them more.

Thank you for my body that’s changing and shrinking before my very eyes. Thank you for creating me so sturdy and strong.

Thank you for long walks lit by streetlights, deep and trivial conversations with my husband as our feet walk miles upon miles.

Lord,

teach me what real love is and how to be a loving person. Show me how to love my husband the way you intended. I want to love him intentionally every day of the week. Show me how to see beyond my own needs and love him the way you love.

Amen.

Thank you Lord for my loving husband, thank you for his ability to always apologize for any wrongdoings and thank you for his will to always forgive me when I’ve done wrong.

Thank you Lord for my mother, thank you for the way she always gives of herself to others. Teach me to be that selfless.

Thank you for my lovely sisters, they always make me laugh. Please Lord watch over them and protect them. Reveal yourself to them and reach into the corners of their hearts.

Thank you Lord that we have money every month to pay our bills and even treat ourselves.

Thank you Lord for the food in our fridge, we have plenty of good and nutritious food.

Thank you Lord for the woman I met the other day. I pray you show her your love and that you comfort her in her darkest hours. I pray you release her from her chains and lift her up. Cup your hands around her face and whispers words of love and healing.

Thank you Lord for your Word.

Thank you Lord for my school work, for my chance to have an education.

Thank you Lord for Frozen Planet, these documentaries are amazing, your world is so full of wonder.