21
Nov

WHAT I’M THANKFUL FOR

   Posted by: pastordiehl   in Uncategorized

I went to the county jail yesterday to visit a young lady incarcerated for selling drugs to an undercover officer.  I expected to deal with a con artist, someone who knew how to fool everyone else because she herself was fooled.  But I was surprised at her openness in admitting that she made bad choices and now had to make it right.

I asked her how she thought God felt about her right now.  In shame she said that He was probably mad at her right now.  That gave me an opportunity to talk about how God loves her unconditionally and that she was beating up on herself because she was using her own failure as the standard of forgiveness, rather than what Jesus did for her on the cross.  We prayed a prayer of rededication and I expect God to begin revealing Himself to her daily.

But, most of all, the experience taught me a valuable lesson on thanksgiving.  As I talked to her my mind went back to some of my own stupid and irresponsible choices I made years ago.  But for the grace of God, I would be the one sitting there in that cold jail cell.  I left the jail with a deeper appreciation of the Lord’s grace in my life.  That’s what I’m thankful for!

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6 comments so far

 1 

Amen!

November 21st, 2007 at 11:15 am
Dennis Kutzner
 2 

Ralph:

As always you are open and transparent and see God in all that goes on around you. Anyone calling you pastor is a blessed person, indeed. May you and yours have a most blessed Thanksgiving.

November 21st, 2007 at 11:41 am
Paul Paino
 3 

For His grace we should all be most grateful. Unfortunately only those who have come to a realization that they NEED grace seem to truly be appreciative of His wonderful gift! Not only am I thankful for what He has given me that I DIDN’T deserve, but, of course, I am thankful for His bountiful Mercy….not giving me what I DID deserve. You’r renewed insight at this Season has only served to make it more meaningful in my life. Blessings to you and yours…and, Thank you!!!!!

November 22nd, 2007 at 10:18 am
Marlene Sutton
 4 

Isn’t is amazing how God works through others when we least expect it? Here you went into the situation with certain expectations and you were open enough to see the other side. This young girl needed to be reminded about unconditional love and grace, and God used you for that. But, He used her as well. I love it that he helps us remember where we came from so we are better able to serve.

Many blessings, and thank you for your servant’s heart!

Marlene

November 23rd, 2007 at 1:09 pm
Penny
 5 

Here’s a thanksgiving poem I got from Lynda:

I AM THANKFUL:
FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT’S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA
BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

FOR THE TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME,
NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM EMPLOYED

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE
BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING
I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS
WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

FOR THE PARKING SPOT
I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING
AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION

FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM WARM.

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH
WHO SINGS OFF KEY BECAUSE IT MEANS
I CAN HEAR.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES
AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN
CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF
IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE
FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME.

November 26th, 2007 at 10:47 am
Jenny
 6 

I’m thankful for 2 cars that run and the sale of the 3rd one that didn’t!

November 26th, 2007 at 2:00 pm

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