I am trying to stay away from my childlike thanksgivings--you know the ones: my house, my car, my computer, my books!!!  I am VERY thankful for all these things, but these are Duhhhh . . . thanksgivings.  Tonight as I pondered what I am really thankful for--what I'm thankful for that will last--I find myself thankful for glimpses. 

This year, God has moved me a little further down the road of ministry.  I've known I was being called into women's ministry for a decade or more now, but I had no idea it would require so many wilderness years to get me ready for it.  This year, God has let me write again.  He's brought me into contact with people who have encouraged and affirmed my gifts, talents, and my call.  He's given me a taste of the joy and excitement that I will know more of as He continues to give me tasks to do.

He has also given me glimpses of how He is using me in the lives of others.  I have been allowed to help in the shaping of the ideas of believers who are just discovering the reliability and authority of scripture.  I have been expsed to the depths of suffering which I am permitted to help relieve.  I am beginning to see moments of payoff in the boys' lives as the spiritual truths begin to shange them.  I've had lots of glimpses of how God can use a simple, average woman to change things according to His plan.

I've also gotten glimpses of how He is changing me.  There are things I am doing that I could never have done before.  My responses are different than they were in highschool, or evey a few years ago.

No, God still hasn't unfolded the whole plan to me.  Often I still wonder where we are going, or how long it will take to get there.  Much of what He does in me, through me, to me, or for me doesn't make much sense.  But in those moments that life is confusing, or uncertain, or just hard . . . I remember some glimpse He HAS given me.  So tonight, I'm thankful for glimpses.