My Thankful Thirty

I was being interviewed for a regional television program when I said: “If it’s God’s will, I plan to serve the elder orphans of Romania for the rest of my life.” The statement itself is not especially noteworthy. 

The next day, November 9, 2011, as I was driving 70 mph, I hit a deer. The semi-trailer truck traveling too closely behind me was unable to stop. When the truck rear-ended my Honda Civic, my car flipped three times. The eyewitnesses told me later they were surprised to find me alive. 

That’s when “I plan to serve the elder orphans of Romania for the rest of my life” took on new meaning. “For the rest of my life” very well could have been a mere 24 hours. 

“Gratitude is born in hearts that take time to count up past mercies” (Charles Edward Jefferson). 

This month I join a host of others in being intentionally grateful. I’m all for taking time to identify specific people and situations for which I’m particularly thankful and I appreciate reading the “Thankful Lists” of my facebook friends. But I also agree with the unknown sage who penned, “Thanksgiving, to be truly thanksgiving, is first thanks, then giving.” 

That’s why I’m excited about “My Thankful Thirty.” It’s a combination of “thanks” and “giving” that is simple, yet powerful. 


  
If you’d like to join “My Thankful Thirty,” grab a piece of paper and start your list of 30 reasons you’re grateful. That’s the “thanks” portion of the program. 

To add the “giving” part, you can make a $30 tax-deductable, secure online donation by clicking HERE. Be sure to put “Thankful Thirty” in the comments box. If you prefer to give by check, make it payable to Remember-the-Children (Elder Orphan Care is an outreach of RtC), 2611 W. 16th Street, Bedford, IN 47421. Please put “Thankful Thirty” on the memo line. 


May God abundantly bless you, Grateful Givers! 

You probably realize that “My Thankful Thirty” is near to my heart because 100% of the funds raised will benefit Elder Orphan Care, the ministry I plan to serve “the rest of my life,” whether that is the next 24 hours or 24 years. 

And you most likely can guess the first reason I’m grateful: I’m alive! 

“What can I give back to God for the blessings he’s poured out on me? I’ll lift high the cup of salvation—a toast to God! I’ll pray in the name of God; I’ll complete what I promised God I’d do, and I’ll do it together with his people” (Psalm 116:12-14 MSG).

8 comments:

  1. Hi Kim! I am your neighbor at Winsome Wednesday.

    God calls us in such amazing ways. He planted a seed in your heart, and then gave you the mother of all wake-up calls. But that doesn't mean that you would automatically listen. But you did! And you and the people of Romania have been greatly blessed.

    I have seen other bloggers using this month to be thankful. That is such a powerful prayer. I wish you grace on your journey of 'thank you'. I know you will be richly blessed.
    Peace,
    Ceil

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    1. Ceil, thank you for taking time to read and leave such encouraging words. Yes, "mother of all wake-up calls"--love that! Asking God to abundantly bless you on *your* "journey of thanks" too!

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  2. What an amazing story of God's grace and protection. I'm doing a series on gratitude this month too. It's fun to intentionally think about what I'm grateful for each day. Like Ceil, I know we will be blessed by the gratitude journey.

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    1. Amen, sister! :) Thank you, Holly, for reading and commenting. May God richly bless your ThanksGIVING and your ThanksLIVING as well!

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  3. So thankful that God protected you from harm. This week is the one year anniversary of my teenage daughter's collision with an 18-wheeler. A few more inches and I wouldn't have my daughter. Every November takes on a new meaning for Thankfulness. And I've been to Romania, love the people there, they have such lovely hearts and the countryside is breathtaking. Nice to meet you through Michelle's link up.

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    1. Wow...so grateful that God protected your daughter, too! Yes, gratitude rises to new heights, doesn't it? Wonderful that you've been to Romania! Please remember Elder Orphan Care in your prayers when Romania comes to mind. Thank you!

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  4. Kim - Such a great idea...the thankful thirty! I am so glad you are here today to write with such a heart you do, for the elderly! You touch so many! You inspire all of us with your sacrificial love, your humility, and the grace that you touch those who God has put you in front of! Blessings from UNITE! ~ Jen

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    1. Thank you, Jen, for reading, encouraging, blessing! I'm so grateful for people like you who "get it!" :) May God bless you abundantly....and then some!

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Each week I write a BOG (Brag On God) post. My prayer is that my words will invite you to brag on God, too. And together we'll make God smile.