Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. -Psalm 30:4

The world is a busy place. So busy in fact, that we often forget to stop and give thanks for the little things in life. Things that we tend to take for granted on a daily basis.

While it isn’t always easy to put things on hold, we need to learn to take the time to stop, if only for a moment and rejoice with thanks for the many blessings God has given us.

Even in times of trouble and despair, we can find things to be thankful for. Often times it’s simply a matter of taking the time to look at what is already there in front of our own eyes.

I have so many reasons to give thanks. A few things I am thankful for are:

• I am thankful for a loving God. A God who forgives our mistakes, even when people won’t.
• I am thankful that we can go to God, just as we are, imperfections and all.
• I am thankful that even with the economy woes, God has provided for my family.
• I am thankful for my beautiful grandson. He is one of the greatest joys in my life.
• I am thankful that I have the freedom to share God’s word with others.

For more Thankful Thursdays visit Grace Alone.

And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. -Mark 11:25

At some point in our life, we’ve all been hurt by the words or actions of others, be it from someone we love or a total stranger. Along with the hurt can come feelings of anger, bitterness, resentment and even hatred. For some, the hurt runs so deep that it’s simply easier to hold on to the pain instead of trying to forgive, but without the act of forgiveness, we can never completely heal.

Forgiveness is something we should offer, yet many of us wait until the person who hurt us, ask to be forgiven. But what if that person never ask? We should not base our willingness to forgive on the actions of others.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean that we condone the wrong that was done to us. When we forgive, we are choosing to let go of that wrong and to free ourselves from its grip.

What if we’ve tried to forgive, but still can’t? Sometimes before we can forgive others, we must not only forgive ourselves first, but we have to turn to God and ask for His forgiveness.

Finding forgiveness for those who have hurt us isn’t always easy, but it is possible. Even while on the cross, Jesus was able to forgive. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

I’ve been tagged by CoconutPalmDesigns. This is the first time I’ve ever been tagged, in the world of blogging I mean. I’m supposed to share seven things about me that most people probably don’t know, hmmm…Ok, here goes.

1. My favorite author is Dr. Seuss
2. I suffer from coulrophobia (fear of clowns)
3. I’m an electronic junkies and therefore I try to avoid Circuit CIty, Best Buy and Radio Shack
4. I collect teapots
5. I get cranky if I miss Monday Night Raw
6. I enjoy Tejano music
7. My husband is 10 years younger than I am while my ex-husband is 20 years older

So there you have it. Seven tidbits of information about me that you probably wouldn’t otherwise know.