Thankful Thursday - May 22, 2008

This week I have struggled with my post for Thankful Thursday. Each week I try to be thoughtful and prayerful about my post of thanksgivings. I try to look for those things that might not be the most easily recognized or the ones that I can't always easily rattle off at the drop of a hat. I try to listen for the specific blessing that God has placed on my heart to share for that particular week.

Today as I mentally reviewed the past few days, God placed on my heart the blessing He has given me in my work. Now, for those of you that have read any of my posts over the past month or so, you know that work has been difficult as of late and there have been many struggles there for me over the past couple of years. So, when I first felt led to post on all I have to be thankful for at work, I said, "No... not that." and attempted to go on about my merry little way. Except, my way wasn't very merry (it rarely is when we say 'No' to God, is it?). A very short time later it came up in my thoughts again... post about all there is to be thankful for at work. I sighed and said "OK". However, as I began thinking of all my blessings at work, my focus shifted more towards the difficulties and, once again, I didn't want this to be my post.

However, you know God... He just kept letting me know I needed to change my focus. My focus needs to be on the good, for this is where He has placed me for this time and why would He place me here if it was all bad? Even in the most unpleasant of situations there is a reason we are in that particular situation. Whether it be the people we meet, the experiences we encounter... whatever it may be, that is the good in any situation. I TRULY do have so much to be thankful for at work. In spite of all the difficulty there is SO MUCH that is good.

So, after much thought and prayer...

This week I am thankful for my job and the workplace where I am able to perform those tasks that make up my job.

Dear Lord,

Thank You for the many friends You have given to me thru my job over the last 9 years. I have made special friendships that will be lifelong friendships regardless of whether or not we continue to work together in the years to come.

Thank You for the experiences You have given me thru this job. I have grown as a professional, as a person, and as a Christian. I have gained professional experiences that will go with me into whatever may lie ahead of me in the future... whether it be here or somewhere else. I have learned to deal with stress better and to work more productively.

Thank You for a manager that truly understands how to work with people. Thank You for a manager that is a Christian. We have shared praises and thanksgivings together and prayed for each other over the last 9 years and what a blessing that has been! Thank You for a manager that is my friend. She has been with me as I've grown on this job and as so much has changed in my personal life. She has supported me thru it all and tried to make work as easy as it could be as my life changed so very much with the birth of each of my children. I will miss her when she leaves the company the end of June, but I will be forever changed by knowing her and she will always be my friend.

Thank You for the stresses and demands that have been placed on me by my job over the last two years. Thru them I have been forced to make a decision between work or my family. My family won out (as they should) but I think it was good for me to have to stand my ground on that and make a stronger resolution than ever before that nothing on this earth will come between me and my family.

For more "Thankful Thursday" posts visit Iris at Sting My Heart.