Thankful

Coming Alive can be made easier when we are thankful. The simple act of thanksgiving can magnify Him.
Thanksgiving is not just a time for a holiday with turkey, dressing and tons of that sweetpotato casserole that is more like dessert that you get to eat in the midst of dinner.

Today I want to come alive by being thankful.   Today I want to burst with thankfulness for the weekend I had.

When I was a child God placed in my heart a calling. I truly believed I felt it  even in my youngest days on the playground after I accepted  the invitation to believe in Christ.   I wanted to teach the Bible.  I took my little precious moment’s Bible and made my friends come to Bible club.  In youth group I fell in love with missions and service.  

After college I longed to teach the  Bible in such a way that makes it come alive, makes people want to come alive.

God took me overseas to Nepal for two years and the whole two years I could not get the calling out of my heart.
So I came home, got another masters degree in the waiting time, and in 2012 started my dream, coming alive ministries.

Three years later and I am so thankful for what God has done.  So thankful for what God has shown me, how He has shown up, How He is moving. For each lady I get to see the light come in her eyes as she encounters Christ through worship and His word.  For each weary soul that leaves their burden at the altar. For each miracle story. For each woman who comes away that desperately needed just to laugh. For each person that receives prayer.  For each book sold that is a story of someone connecting in a new way to Christ.

I am thankful that God  chose to give me this calling.. little ol’ me.  I am thankful that He can take a weak unorganized vessel, who often cannot even find her car keyes.

I am thankful that God continues to use this dream to stretch me, ask me to step out on faith, and call me to walk in faith looking at Him. I am thankful for a God who holds me when I am afraid, fixes when I messup and laughs with me.

And I am thankful for the beautiful team that helps make it all possible.  This past weekend the coming alive board of directors met for our annual board planning retreat.  I was nearly undone when I realized that 10 years ago, in that same cabin, me and a few friends held our first retreat where we invited girls to come away and come alive as we studied the word together. 

Fastforward 10 years and I had a room full of the hands and feet of Christ– the board of directors who are making this vision happen.. and doing the hard stuff like the finance team who helps  the business side which heaven knows I am terrible at.

I am undone with thankfulness.

Thought I would share some pics.
What are you thankful for today?