Giving Thanks

I have to tell you that every day I´m here I am learning something new about this enormous country, the beautiful people here, and living out my walk with the Lord. I´m learning that in all situations, no matter how they feel or look to give thanks. Just give thanks. That is what the Lord has asked us to do. There is an amazing amount of peace in living with a spirit of graditude.

I don´t need a house of splendor, a high paying job, perfect protugese, or even a cellphone to be thankful. I´m learning that I don´t need a life of ease, or situations to always "go my way" to be filled with graditude. Nor do I need to be in control of all circumstances at all times in order to fill like I´m in the right place.

Several scenarios have reminded me of this truth lately, including the one in which I´m in currently. At this very moment, I am locked out of my house for the next four hours without a cellphone, a car, or fluent portugese to get my any where but the neighborhood internet cafe. Are there things I need to be doing right now? Sure! Am I tired after a very long day? Ofcourse. Do I wish Brasilia had a local Starbucks to sit at until my roomate decideds to come home? As a matter of fact, I do.....BUT I´m actually quite at peace sitting here writing to you beautiful people in this secluded internet cafe.

When I took the wrong bus at nine o´clock to a dangerous suburb of Brasil, I could have been very upset with myself and felt as if my livlihood was endangered; however, how profitable would it have been? Every day I learn more and more that the material things of this world mean less and less, smooth days where all is perfect exist only if you change your heart, and that when you rest in the hands of our loving God there is very little to fear.

How blessed our we not be one of the many orphans running the streets of Brazil who has been abandoned because our parents have died of AIDS? Why did God spare me from being a thriteen year-old bride as many are here? Why am I blessed enough to esape the mysticism and cult activities that are sweeping the country? Why was I not rejected by my family when I chose to f0llow Christ? I do not know. All I know is that the cross God has for me...is just that for ME. Whatever that Lord sets before me, I pray that I will enter it with a grateful heart knowing that those stepping stones ahead of me were made for my feet alone. Knowing that soon this world will pass away. The fustrations, the inconveniences, the stess. It will all dissapear in a moment, and we will be standing eye to eye with the Lord Jesus Christ. When I get there I want my Lord and savior to be pleased that I took the life He gave me and lived it with graditude, with fruit of the Spirit. Not because it was easy, but because that is what He has designed us to do. Praise Him. Morning, noon, night, rain, or shine. Praise Him!