Last week, I wrote about a tough season I walked through last Fall. Thinking about the sweet season of life I am currently in, I thought I’d share about how T H A N K F U L I am for every season. No matter my circumstances, I serve the same faithful God.

Maybe life is treating you really good right now, or maybe there are a lot of unknowns and you find yourself doubting. As the song says, “Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to sing, it is well with my soul."

1. You are welcome at God's table.

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. ²Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.”- Isaiah 55:1-2

He does not require you to clean yourself up before you sit down to eat. No, He washes you Himself, with His own blood. We can’t buy food to satisfy our souls, but we can buy into God’s kingdom. A kingdom that gives water to the thirsty, milk to the weak, and wine to delight in His goodness.

What’s holding you back from accepting the invitation to simply come?

There’s always a seat at His table. The food doesn’t grow cold; the milk doesn’t spoil. He wants to nourish us. Let Him feed you and take delight in who He is. Be thankful for the life-giving invitation to come.

2. He is my Shepherd.

“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want."

You may be familiar with Psalm 23. I stop at the first line because I think of all the times I’ve felt in want. In want of what? Success? A relationship? A job? A title?

I obviously don’t see Him as my Providing Shepherd if I think I need more. Give me Jesus + ____. Fill in the blank. Maybe you have multiple answers. But in reality, there should be a period after His Great Name. There is nothing to be added to it. Discontentment tries to creep in and Satan tells us we're missing out. But He provides and He satisfies when I allow Him to Shepherd me. He knows what is best for me, even when I think my ways are better. I can be thankful that He provides His constant Presence even when I feel dry.

3. He sits on the throne!

It is finished. He has defeated death once and for all!

“"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"- 1Corinthians 15:55

He rose from the grave ascended back to Heaven and sits on the throne, Lord over all. If I see Him as the Lord of my life, then I understand that He does not actually need me to perform to accomplish His will. He has already done it all for us. However, He invites us to serve, to be His witnesses. What deep grace He has lavished on us.

4. He has never left us

We often believe the lie that we have to do life alone. If we struggle, we need to suck it up and handle it ourselves. Sometimes it’s easier to try to deal with life’s challenges instead of giving our burdens to the One who is waiting for us to let go of control. He pursues, even when we run away. Before Jesus left Earth, He reminded His disciples that He would be with them until the very end (Acts 1:8) At the end of times, we will dwell with Him forever.

And not only is He with us, but His LOVE never fails.

Do good to your soul and listen to this song about His reckless love:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKooXwwk6bs

5. He has given us community.

Wow. My heart could burst just thinking about how thankful I am for the people the Lord has places in my life over the years! I truly would not be where I am without the love and support of my family and dear friends. Those who have walked with me through the best and worst of days are true gems.

We are called to live in community with others. I have the tendency to be independent and self-sufficient, but the Lord has used godly friendships to sharpen me, convict me and encourage me. I am 10000x refreshed by my core group of friends just by hearing and watching the Lord refine them. Friendships that point me back to the cross, back to the King who sits on His throne. Oh sweet community! I am so thankful for the Church, the body of Christ that can be unified because of the Gospel!

This list is short. Of course, I could write more. But specifically in this season of life, these are the things that the Lord has reminded me to be thankful for each and every day, no matter my circumstances or feelings. Honestly, these are things I can be thankful for in every season, because they don’t change.

All of these gifts are from the Lord.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." James 1:17 ESV