Thankful Thursday - May 22, 2008

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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.

    28 Thoughts Shared:

    Anonymous said...

    God bless you dear Melanie for a very sweet and heartfelt TT post! It had me smiling and saying a prayer to our Heavenly Father that He keeps you wrapped in His safe arms!

    Aunt Angie said...

    Oh, Melanie...you hit the nail on MY HEAD! Girl. THis is what I have been talking to the Lord about this week. My job. Whew! This was good! The Lord knows when things aren't always good...and He will deal with things in His time. It is not for me to worry about! You really blessed me with this.

    Cheryl said...

    Melanie you have the sweetest heart! I just love your post. I hope you have a wonderful weekend and Happy Thankful Thursday to you. Great Post today!

    Anonymous said...

    simply beautiful, melanie. i'm also thanking God for my job right now. may god bless you more.

    Mary said...

    Melanie,

    This is an awesome post. We should be thankful in all things. Often God gives us trials and tribulations in order for us to draw closer to Him and become stronger in our faith.

    I have added you to my prayer list.
    Blessings,
    Mary

    Salute said...

    Wishing u many blessings and always look to the Lord and he will bring u through...May God bless you and your family

    Nancie said...

    Melanie,

    It's very encouraging to read of how the Lord has helped you at work and worked so many blessings even through difficult experiences. Thanks for sharing your thankful heart with us.

    I am praying for you for your work that God may continue to strengthen your walk with Him at work and bless you in many wonderful ways. May you continue to grow in Him and be a blessing to many others. Have a blessed Thankful Thursday!

    Denise said...

    Your heart is precious, be blessed.

    Sai Hijara - Ferraris said...

    Melanie...amazing post! I'm so happy to have found TT with you guys!

    Happy Thursday...sending prayers and happy thoughts!

    Anonymous said...

    God bless your heart Melanie and hope will continue to bless you and guide you whatever you do. Take care and have a wonderful day. Happy TT!

    You can also read mine

    i said...

    Hi Melanie, thank you for dropping by and leaving a sweet comment. I love this post! Guess that's because I can relate to it. I'm thankful for my job too although of late I've been struggling somewhat with it.

    Peggy said...

    Excellent Melanie from the heart - a very truthful post! May you continue to find more and more to be thankful for at work and be blessed with less and less heartache from work! I'm glad family won! and so did you!

    Be blessed...and thanks for listening to God and sharing!

    Anonymous said...

    Awesome post! So like God to shift our focus from the struggles to the blessings IN the struggles. Thank you for that reminder!! Thanks for being authentic about that process!

    Sharon said...

    I know just what you mean...it can be so hard to be thankful about stressful conditions but the Bible does say in EVERYTHING...!

    Thanks for the timely reminder.

    Mary said...

    Excellent post Melanie! I love that God can take those things that we think are a "thorn in the flesh" and cause our hearts to change into thankfulness. Thanks so much for sharing. Blessings on your day.

    Irene said...

    Your post made me think. Thank you.

    Melissa Lea said...

    What a sweet post! You are a right, we should be thankfuk for our job! Thanks for reminding me!

    Blessedw5mom said...

    Bless you for such an honest post!
    "my way wasn't very merry (it rarely is when we say 'No' to God, is it?). "
    Oh how true!!! Too bad we have to learn that the hard way:-)
    Have a blessed Thurs.

    Faith said...

    I liked this. I especially like reading posts from other working moms!
    May the Lord bless you richly in all your endeavors and thanks for stopping by mine the other day.

    Melissa Sheldon said...

    I pray that you are extremely blessed for listening to God's will and posting about work. Thank you for sharing your heart with us.

    Anonymous said...

    Oh, I can so relate to this Melanie. I have taken a few years off to be home with the kiddos but it wasn't very long ago that I was in a very difficult work situation. I had to report unethical behavior by a co-worker. Let's just say I wasn't liked by anyone...except the bosses. Ugh!

    I think it's awesome that God kept prompting you to be thankful for a sometimes hard situation. I think that is one of the secrets to finding joy in life, being thankful even when you don't feel like it.

    I wanted to thank you so very much for praying for my husband while he was in the hospital. It meant so much to know we had people from all over lifting up prayers for him. Thank you so much!!

    Have a great day,
    Robyn

    Paula V said...

    Thank you for being obedient to God. Your list is quite full and you indeed are blessed at work regardless of the negative things.
    Blessings,
    Paula

    Tricia said...

    What a great post! May God bless you for your obedience, and may He shower you with blessings upon blessings that just "bless" your socks off right there in your workplace.

    Your post reminded me of a verse from Phillipians, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus".

    Have a blessed day! I will be out of the "blogging world" for about a week, I will miss stopping by but will definitely find some time when I am back to sit and catch up!

    eph2810 said...

    Melanie, I think this is very powerful Thankful Thursday post - looking at the good in difficult situations. I totally understand where you are coming from. I praise Him that He has helped you to write this difficult post - and I am glad that you allowed Him to work in you.

    Thank you so much for sharing your grateful heart with us this week.

    Be blessed today and always...

    Heather said...

    It is really powerful to take something that is a source of frustration and turn it into an opportunity for praise. I appreciate your words here. I think we all have lots of things in our lives that we need to be thankful for, even if they seem like curses instead of blessings.

    southmsmomof4 said...

    What a very heartfelt and open post. Real and encouraging. Thank you for sharing. It is awesome how the Lord will help us to look at what we see as all bad and show us the good in every situation. You know his Word does say that ALL things work together for the good of them that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. So good to see that you have seen HE has a purpose for you in this place and for such a time as this:) Be blessed and although I do not know you, you are in my prayers dear sister in Christ Jesus.
    Stacy

    Carrie said...

    Thank you for sharing your grateful thoughts so candidly. it is very inspiring.

    Shari said...

    It's so hard to find the positive when the negative is so strong. But, you did great. You really found a lot of good things about your job. What a blessing that your boss and some of your co-workers are Christians. You have a great attitude about wanting to look on the bright side.