like a waterfall.

Overwhelmed doesn't cover it.

I'm sitting at the bar area of our new home (a house that we are renting) staring at my kitchen in which the dining room table from our apartment fits comfortably.... so comfortably i could fit two of the same set in there with room to walk around still.  It's an overwhelming sight for me as I can think back to times I've lived in my car, or times when my room was nothing more than a small walk in closet. To say He has multiple my blessings in an understatement when we now live in a 4 bed 2 bath house with a garage from the 1 bed 1 bath apartment we moved from. And the thing is...

i know there are millions of people who are homeless and it breaks my heart.  So I'm praying, praying for God to lead, praying for this house to be a home filled with God and ministry and life. A house filled with the word of God, kindness, peace and patience. A house filled with laughter, and the sounds of a puppy playing. Most of all I want it to be a home that is open, where we can invite one more for dinner unexpectedly and where people are always welcome to stay if they need. To say I see this as just a house would be so wrong. I see it as a mission field. I see it as a ministry. I see it as a blessing, but I know God gives great responsibility with the blessings and I want us to meet that in whatever God has planned.

My cup runneth over.
like a waterfall not just a little dribble.

and heres what I know. No matter how many people tell me I worked for it or earned it I will not believe that because I know that I serve a God that is the giver of every good and perfect gift. I came to this world with NOTHING and I will leave here with the same and everything is a gift. So please keep those lies to yourself because it's God that provided the opportunity, gave me the grace and drive and skills to get through PA school and God alone who has been by my side through the whole thing. All I can say is that my heart's desire to honor Him and to go where He leads. He led me to this moment, this blog post and this house and I know that He won't be finished with me until the day of Jesus Christ.

I couldnt be more thankful. I couldn't be more prayerful. And this was my year to focus on thanksgiving and man has God not only tested my ability to be thankful in the trials and struggles of life, in the fear of trials, but He overwhelmed me with blessings and I'm not just talking houses and a job. He gave me my first appointment in 2 years where they found no skin cancer or pre-cancer when the PA I saw used a special tool and was sure 2 of the spots were going to be abnormal. He had his hand over me when they thought I had a brain tumor (acoustic neuroma for the medically inclined). He showed me to trust Him with the results good or bad. He's given me patience and strength and grace and understanding and helped me to say I'm sorry when I fail. He's given me sweet moments with my husband and has given us so much help in our trials. And I can't help to be completely broken by all He has done and by how much I don't deserve any of it. I don't deserve health, wealth and prosperity like some will try and tell you and any gifts He gives me is not based on my belief but on His kindness alone. My trials also have not been a result of a lack of faith because that heretical gospel inadvertently has you "working" for gifts and yet preaches faith alone.

I pray that God will help you to be thankful no matter where you are..whether you are sleeping in a car or on a park bench or if you live in a mansion. Whether you are healthy or sick, whether happy or sad. Remember that each experience is God perfecting us and training us. Sometimes He says no when He has something else better in mind. Sometimes we can't see what He is doing but He is working it out. Trust Him friends . Love Him. Thank Him. Glorify Him alone.

<3 Anita