Nothing spectacular or major has changed for me. It is just the small budges forward that have prompted me to want to express my thankfulness that our Father is a God of mercy and love and grace. After going through all of this mess, I see more clearly (still a long ways to go) what God is and how he is real in our lives. Without the quantitative and tangible proof, it is hard to prove that he is real. But, the empirical evidence that I have seen has me convinced that he is real and present in our lives if we ask him to be. I have entered the throne room of God with my petitions in my heart and asked him for his help. As I became weaker and wearier of the struggle, the frequency increased and I began taking even the small things to him because I was not able to do it on my own. I can honestly say that I know my prayers were heard and answered. Sometimes it was with the desire of my heart, sometimes it was with a small voice that told me to wait or corrected the direction of my heart. Sometimes the answer came in a big and amazing way. I am a logical, educated, and strong person and I often come across educated people who do not believe. I have kind of tossed this dilemma around with the Father and I was reminded of a logic class I took in college. This class taught us to build logical arguments and how to dissect arguments that are in error. Many times, the argument may not be solid (such as in a court case) and the accumulation of evidence (small pieces of the puzzle) all point to the answer. God's presence is like this to me. I know he is real because of all of the answered prayers and some could argue that those things could have happened anyway. But, coincidence does not strike quite so frequently. From the inside, I know that God is real because he I have come to know his presence in my life. I am still stumbling and fumbling along in my relationship with God, but it has grown to be so very precious to me to be able to talk to the Lord. Sometimes, I just tell him good night. I am reminded of that old song "I know that he is real because he lives within my heart." Just a little Thanksgiving contemplation about the thing I am most thankful for, my heavenly Father. May everyone here have a blessed Thanksgiving. I am going out of town for a wedding with H and his family. Keep us in prayers as these family gatherings often stress H and bring out the worst in him.

Thanks Onedayatatime for starting a thread on thankfulness.<P>I am thankful for God's faithfulness. In a world that is in constant flux my God is the same yesterday, today and forever. I can count on Him in whatever circumstances I find myself and know that He is looking out for my good. There isn't much in this world that we can count on and just when we think we do we find even that falls through the cracks. Guess that is why I love the old hymn "Great is Thy Faithfulness".<P>Morning by morning new mercies I see,<BR>All I have needed Thy hand has provided,<BR>Great is Thy faithfulness Lord onto me.<P>Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,<BR>Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide.<BR>Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,<BR>Blessing all mine and ten thousand beside.<P>Thank You Father for the solid ground you allow us to stand on when we place our trust in You alone.<P>Have a Blessed Thanksgiving Everyone, Taj

My prayers are with you this thankgiving.

Oneday, I'm thanking the Lord with you for the small steps forward. May the Lord richly bless you. I, too am constantly reminded of how very real our Heavenly Father is. The evidence is undeniable; it is everywhere. Our God reigns.<P>I read this verse today; it directly applies to my situation:<BR>"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But<BR>rejoice that you can participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed".-I Peter 4:12-13 What a glorious testimony your situation will be for the Lord, oneday!<BR>