Thankful Thursday

I am thankful this morning for the ways that God always reminds us at just the right time...through His Word, through music, through the written and spoken words of His people...of His character and faithfulness. We just keep hitting *bumps in the road*...with my grandfather, my mom's arm, health issues, and extended family issues. It is so easy to get discouraged and to focus on circumstances instead of "keeping our eyes on Jesus". But God always sends exactly what we need...when we are where we are supposed to be, and when we are listening for it.

Last night was a good example. I wasn't feeling well...the kids had been really cranky...I was *not* in the mood to go to church. I really wanted to stay home, put everyone to bed right after supper, and go curl up under the covers myself. But I had to be at church to play for the older children's choir. The kids kept asking if we were staying for *choir kids* (childcare during adult choir), and I just wasn't sure I was going to make it. But...because we hadn't had choir in a while, and the kids really wanted to stay, I decided to try to stick it out.

As usual, I'm glad I did. One of the songs we did last night was an old choir favorite, "He's Been Faithful". My friend K sings it periodically as a special, and I cry every time. :) It was a very needed reminder last night, especially as I remembered other times that we have sung it or I have heard it sung...especially the first time that K sang it after her son was born in incredibly miraculous circumstances. Somehow songs like this always seem to be my *standing stones*. In the Old Testament, the people would erect standing stones as monuments...reminders to future generations of God's faithfulness in their lives. There are songs in my life that are exactly that...every time I hear them, they remind me of God's faithfulness at some specific point in my life. This is one of them:

He's Been Faithful

In my moments of fear, through every pain, every tear;
there's a God who's been faithful to me.
When my strength was all gone, when my heart had no song,
still in love He's proved faithful to me.
Every word He's promised is true;
what I thought was impossible I see my God do.

He's been faithful, faithful to me.
Looking back His love and mercy I see.
Though in my heart I have questioned, even failed to believe,
yet He's been faithful, faithful to me.

When my heart looked away, the many times I could not pray,
still my God, He was faithful to me.
The days I spent so selfishly reaching out for what pleased me,
even then God was faithful to me.
Every time I come back to Him, He is waiting with open arms,
I see once again.

He's been faithful, faithful to me.
Looking back His love and mercy I see.
Though in my heart I have questioned, even failed to believe,
yet He's been faithful, faithful to me.

--Carol Cymbala

I am thankful that He *has* been faithful...and for the reminders of His faithfulness that come just when we need them most. I'm also thankful for the weekly reminder to *be thankful* through Thankful Thursday .