Thankful Thursday

Today's Thankful Thursday is about LOVE.
I do have to say that 1 Corinthians 13 is one of my favorite chapters in the bible. I can remember as a kid my mom had vs 4-7 framed and I would read it a lot, this was before I knew Gods love and I couldn't understand how love could be all those things..constantly. Now that verse is something I hold myself and others to, we ALL fall short or it, but I believe it is defiantly worth striving to meet.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (The Message)
3-7
If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

I personally love the language of the message for this set of verses. What is your favorite translation?

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (New International Version)
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

I also love the way the NIV puts it, and right now (as mentioned yesterday) I am struggling a lot with my daughter being healthy and when I think about verse 7 I realize Gods love always PROTECTS, I need to always TRUST in HIM (cause He loves me), I need to place my HOPE in HIM and he will PERSEVERE over anything even this issue that seems so big to me right now.

Okay so now on with the thankfulness portion of today
1. I am so abundantly grateful for God that loves me. He gave up his child for me so I too could be his child. God can not stand to look on sin, and so HE gave His only son Jesus so that I may live...I am so grateful for that.

2. I am overly blessed with family that loves me. I have a fantastic hard working husband who would give me the moon if I asked for it. I have a loving mom who does all she can to be there for me and a step dad who is just a fantastic and caring person. I have very supportive and loving "parents" in Tina and Alan, who to would do anything for me and my family. Beyond that I am blessed with the best "in-law" family. I have never thought of them that way, they all have always loved me like I was just part of there family. It is beautiful. God has blessed beyond that with my friends and church family. I can not express my gratitude. Because of this my beautiful daughter will never wonder if she is loved because she will be able to see the evidence of the love of family all around us.

3.I am grateful for my husband who loves me at my most bitter and unlovable moments. I know loving me isn't always the easiest of task, but he is steadfast and supportive. He never lets me down. He is always willing to try new ways to touch my heart, but he is also acutely aware and accepting of the fact that I don't always want to be loved..and he pushes through that. He is awesome!

4. I am grateful for my daughters love. Her love is so real and honest, she tells her true feelings and isn't afraid to give love. She too is an amazing gift from God!

5. I am thankful for my neighbors who are kind, helpful, and loving. I have great Christian neighbors who are always there to offer help when needed (a bowl of sugar, or watching my daughter in a bind) They have been a blessing for the last five years and I can not imagine not having them for neighbors they are really a blessing.


Okay so there is my whole deal on blessing of love. I could go on all day...really. What are thankful for this Thursday in the love department? If you blog about it make sure you link it here. Have a fantastic Day I know I am planning on it. (Today is Kennedy's Valentine Party at school :) I will try to post pictures in the morning!)