It is difficult to remain unaffected with what has happened in the country -i.e Typhoon Fengshen that has ravaged many parts of the country resulting to loss of lives and homes and the MV Princess of the Stars tragedy (where hundreds of bodies still unrecovered). I just couldn’t imagine how terrible it must be for those who lost their loved ones in the latest maritime disaster in the Philippine sea. I’m certainly having a hard time writing a thankful list now.
But I have to remind myself that in everything that has happened (and will happen), God has a purpose. I have to repeatedly tell myself that. So I will not -hard as it is- question God or His wisdom. And again, who am I to question Him.
It is hard to be thankful for a storm (literal or not) but I will say thank you for every storm (or typhoon), somehow it always brings us closer to you Lord.
Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand
I’m thankful for the agencies - and even countries- which are helping the victims of the typhoon.
I’m thankful for the divers who volunteered to help in the MV Princess of the Stars retrieval operation. Guide and strengthen them Lord. Strengthen the those who are still looking and waiting for news of their loved ones.
I’m thankful for the opportunity to bring our relatives and family together last Sunday to celebrate my parents and sister’s birthdays last Sunday. I’m thankful for the chance to celebrate their birthdays.
I’m thankful for God’s provisions. My mother told me this morning that the cost of LPG -much to her surprise- is now P700 ($16.3+) plus. But thank you Lord for helping us meet our needs.
Thank you for guiding me through difficulties in parenthood. I’m thankful for the warm hugs and wet kisses from my son.
For more of Thankful Thursday participants, please visit Iris.
by Lynn, on June 26 2008 @ 10:10 am
Mama Meji,
But I have to remind myself that in everything that has happened (and will happen), God has a purpose.
Oh amen. I cling to the Lord and stay in His word.
Mama, I always love to see you are one of the first to link up over at Iris’ place. I look forward to seeing (or reading) you every week. Be blessed my friend, Lynn
Lynn’s last blog post..Thankful Thursday - A New Baby?
by Iris, on June 26 2008 @ 10:39 am
Oh.my - I am so sorry that the Typhoon has claimed lives and the sea disaster even claimed more. You are right - sometimes it is hard to understand…but we have to trust Him…
I am so happy for you that you were able to celebrate life with your family this past week. May our Lord continue to bless you and provide for all your needs.
Thank you so much for sharing your grateful heart, despite the literal storm in your life.
Blessings to you and yours.
Iris’s last blog post..Thankful Thursday ~ Life
by Stacy, on June 26 2008 @ 10:41 am
You have a lovely Thankful Thursday list. It is good to remember the goodness of our God, even in the midst of things which we don’t understand.
by janet, on June 26 2008 @ 11:23 am
you’re right, it’s hard to be thankful when the unexpected happens. you are also right that in everything we should give thanks for the is the will of God concerning us.
one thing i am grateful about is that my sister, who studies in iloilo, is safe. her university is on a higher level so her place wasn’t affected by the flood.
janet’s last blog post..Thankful Thursday 3
by Gina, on June 26 2008 @ 11:35 am
Oh that is terrible. So sad for your country. I’m glad you had the Lord’s protection.
Gina’s last blog post..Thankful Thursday
by Cheryl @ Hope, on June 26 2008 @ 12:24 pm
It is hard at times to think/believe God has a purpose in everything. But, he does even though we can’t see it at the time. He is much wiser than we and he can see the bigger picture.
Great TT list.
Blessings!
Cheryl
Cheryl @ Hope’s last blog post..~Thankful Thursday~
by Denise, on June 26 2008 @ 1:18 pm
I am praying for you, and your country.
Denise’s last blog post..Thankful Thursday-Life
by Serendipity, on June 26 2008 @ 2:36 pm
It is hard to be thankful in times like this but it is the reason more to be thankful for, isn’t it? I always think of eagles when storms come brewing into my life. Eagles are the only birds that can fly above the storms. Isn’t that incredible? Have a blessed weekend ahead!
Serendipity’s last blog post..Thankful Thursday
by pia, on June 26 2008 @ 3:33 pm
what happened last sunday was really sad, but you’re right. there’s a reason why it happened. i just thank God i’m still alive.
pia’s last blog post..THANKFUL THURSDAY
by Cheryl, on June 26 2008 @ 8:27 pm
You really have a nice thankful post today. I can feel you hurting for others through your post, please know that God is there. Thanks for sharing. God Bless~
Cheryl’s last blog post..Thankful Thursday
by Mary, on June 26 2008 @ 9:55 pm
It’s difficult to understand tragedy. But we know that God is there with us in the midst of the valleys. I’m glad you’re safe. May He continue to protect you and provide for you. Blessings.
Mary’s last blog post..Thankful Thursday
by Beth@theaccidentalpharisee, on June 26 2008 @ 10:18 pm
I admire your heart attitude to thank God “in everything.”
Joining you in your prayers for all those affected by the typhoon and the MV Princess of the Stars tragedy.
Thank you for sharing Isaiah 41:10.
Beth@TheAccidentalPharisee
Beth@theaccidentalpharisee’s last blog post..Thankful Thursday #4
by Mamasmurf, on June 26 2008 @ 11:09 pm
What a heartfelt TT list! Praying for the dead, injured and helpers - they all need to be remembered.
~Chrissy
by gengen, on June 26 2008 @ 11:13 pm
Yes it is written in everything there is a season…Thanks for sharing…Happy TT!
gengen’s last blog post..Thankful Thursday - Life
by Darlene, on June 26 2008 @ 11:25 pm
It is sad and hard to hear and see all the things happening around us. We have to remember that God has a plan. We may not always understand and many times wonder why..We must trust in HIM.
Thanks for sharing your heart with us.
Blessings,
Darlene
Darlene’s last blog post..Thankful Thursday!
by Millie, on June 26 2008 @ 11:35 pm
Mama meji,your thankful list really touches my heart,tears in my eyes. I know that sometimes it is really hard for us to say Thankful words when we met some bad things, the first idea in our heads is “WHY? Lord, why do you allow this happen?” Do the Lord’s hands become short? Is the Lord’s power limited? NO>>>>>>>Behind everything, there is his goodwill..even though we could not know his real mind, but he never ask us to know, he only ask us to believe and count on him…just as child’s trust to his/her parents.
by Angie, on June 27 2008 @ 12:10 am
Your post puts all things into proper perspective. You have written it well, we do face harships…we have a choice to allow them to cause us to seek Him more–whereby we grow…or not. I choose to seek Him.
Your blog is a blessing!
Angie’s last blog post..Thankful for YOU
by Lea, on June 27 2008 @ 4:48 am
It’s hard to find the right words after reading your thoughts, and words…. ~ I know amid things happening around us and to us often-times it is so hard to always believe that God is still here… with us. But He is… and He is still in control. He is the God of the Universe…. and His ways and are ways are hard to understand. But He is still God… and one day we will understand the whys of things that happen.
My heartfelt prayers are with you… with everyone.
God bless you,
Keep lookin UP.
Lea
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by ALF, on June 27 2008 @ 7:23 am
I always love to read your thankful list. It reminds me of all the things I have to be thankful for.
ALF’s last blog post..Meat, Good
by pia, on June 27 2008 @ 2:08 pm
hi, regarding your question, a tutee is a person who is being tutored; the pupil of a tutor.
pia’s last blog post..THANKFUL THURSDAY
by sharon, on June 28 2008 @ 8:10 am
Sorry so much tragedy is happening right now. I’m sure God is totally in control even though it’s hard to explain- I suppose that’s what trust is about most especially when events confound us. I’ll ask the Lord to encourage you. God bless!
Sharon
sharon’s last blog post..Encouraging Me
by Ana, on July 2 2008 @ 1:50 pm
Such a horrible tragedy. Only God knows why. I’m always reminded of Larnelle Harris’ song “If Not for The Storm” when I think of this situation. The chorus is beautiful:
CHORUS
If not for the storms
I couldn’t say that You’re my shelter
If not for the storms
I would have never known Your strength
I found You so faithful
Through all that You allowed
If not for the storms
There’s no way I’d know You
As I know You now
I will keep you, your family and your country in my prayers.
Ana’s last blog post..Made a Stop At the Welfare Office