Today I am thankful and very blessed
Today, I had a “God moment” that I have to share. I was at work, taking my lunch break, sitting in the dinning room. I bowed my head to say the blessing and as I began to say my prayer for the food before me, I paused and just went silent for a few seconds as I pondered what all I had to be thankful for. Then as I looked at my meal, I went to that place deep inside of me, the place where God lives and there from within he asked me a question. “What does this food represent? “ as I pondered that question, a little confused about the answer, He added, “ What events and people made it possible for you to have this meal, in this dining room at this moment?”
Now that opened up a whole whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. So, as I sat there looking at that meal, at that moment, in that dining room, I began to mentally list all the people and events that put me there. As I did, I realized just how much I had to be thankful for, how many people were involved in me being there and how much God had to do to arrange all the meetings and events for me to be there.
-all the strangers that showed me kindness while I was on the streets, their kindness kept my faith and hope alive, and that is so important when you are struggling at that level. Kindness from strangers is like CPR for the soul.
-the people who I meet and befriended me and welcomed me into their lives and homes. This group is so special to me, I hope they all know how much I appreciate the faith they put in me and how much it helped me. Also, I realize what a leap of faith it took, not only to befriend someone in my situation, but how huge it is to welcome that person into their homes and I had several that did that for me. There are not words to express how that makes me feel.
-my family who never gave up on me and loved me through it all, specially my Sister, she was my rock and her and her husband showed me what kind of Christian I want to be.
-all the miracles that God granted me, that keep me strong and kept me from making even bigger mistakes. And his grace, that forgave me long before I was able to forgive myself. And for His Son, where would I be if he had not sent his son to die for me.
-for my Family on “Ourstory” that has probably been the biggest and most unexpected source of Love, hope and encouragement. I have met so many wonderful people here, who have loved me through it all and on “Ourstory” is where my healing began.
-all the people who lifted me up in prayer, those prayers is what kept me alive and protected.
-then there is my Church and my Church family, this list grows every day, they just become more and more important to me. And this too was arranged my God, how else could you explain me picking that church just by passing by it one day. and it is at church, where I told my story and I meet my now boss, he heard my story, and got to know me and when I was having trouble finding a job, he offered me one without reservation.
This list could go on for many more pages, but I think you get the gist of what it took to get me to this place, at this moment… and as I sat there…I felt the flood gates to my heart open up and it was all I could do to keep from breaking down and crying like a baby right there in that full dining room. But it wasn’t a sad moment, far from it, it was this amazing feeling of love, acceptance, of forgiveness, of well, of God. And then I felt this huge smile coming over my face, as I heard God’s voice once again, and He said, “I did all this because you are my son, and that is how much I love you and how much you mean to me. And there is so much more where that came from… just be patient, the best is yet to come.”
So, as you see as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, I have so much to be thankful for, only a few short years ago I was preparing to spend the holiday alone and homeless, but today, I have overcome so much, I no longer feel unworthy or broken; today I feel blessed and whole and look forward to a bright future. Take the time to not only count your blessings, but to realize what all it took for those blessings to be realized.
So, this all started with a simple blessing, over a simple meal, at work today….. hummm.
God bless you all and thank you for the part you played in my story.
Thom
Message sent to Thom Malone
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Posted: Nov 25, 2009
Ok.. just had to add this, on facebook they have this application that is called "your daily messege from God... and i just clicked on it for my messege for today... here it is,
On this day, God wants you to know...
... that today you have a cause for celebration. Today, you should celebrate what an unbelievable life you have had so far: the accomplishments, the many blessings, and, yes, even the hardships because they have served to make you stronger. Just as a gem cannot be polished without friction, nor can a life be perfected ...without trials. Take a time to acknowledge your life and to praise yourself.
it made me tear up, God is amazing, I just love the way He reinforces the messeges He has for us.
Posted: Nov 25, 2009
Thom you are the most amazing man i have ever met--i feel like i have already met you and if we don't meet here on this earth i in my heart know that i will know you in Heaven!!
Remember the old song "IF HEAVENS NOT MY HOME THEN LORD WHAT WILL I DO" I will meet you there..you have been a blessing for me and i think i can speak for our OS family that you have blessed us all!!
May God always be with you in whatever he intends for you to do with your life!!
Posted: Nov 25, 2009
Thom...you are an inspiration to me. Whenever I see my daughter, broken by drugs, and nearly (may yet, be) on the street, homeless....I think of you and how you came thru all your trials and became a better person for it. It gives me hope that my daughter may make it yet! And that God is watching over my family. Thank you, you dear soul!!! I'm so glad things are going so well for you now!
Posted: Nov 25, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving to you my friend.
And thank you for sharing your life with us, it made us all stronger. I know it made me stronger. Every time I feel like giving up, I think of you and the amazing road you have come and it gives me strength to go on. Thank you for that!
Posted: Nov 25, 2009
Tommy, when I quit crying with joy and happiness for all that God has done in your life and that He brought you to us here on OS, I can see to write something. You and your life have opened up new realization as to what God does for us all and many of us don't see. Also, you have given us an eye opener of homelessness and the many that don't want to be there and need to be given the chance to get out.
You have been and are a wonderful blessing to myself and I know. the rest of us. I can never tell you enough times how thankful I am to have you in my life as such an inspiration and such a fine friend.
Today I am thankful for many things, thankful for God's mercy and His love for me a sinner.
Thankful for each one of my precious family and each one of my dear family, here on OS.
Again Tommy, thank you so much for being you and for sharing your life experience with us.
We love you!
Bev
Posted: Nov 25, 2009
AMEN AND AMEN TO ALL THE ABOVE POSTS!!!!!!!! EVERYONE ONE OF US LOVES YOU TOMMY! YOU AS THEY ALL SAID HAVE CERTAINLY INSPIRED ME AND WHEN I GET TO FEELING SORRY FOR MY SELF I THINK OF YOU AND KNOW THAT GOD IS ALWAYS WITH ME...THANK YOU MY DEAR FRIEND!!!
~GRANNY JOYCE~
Posted: Nov 26, 2009
What a wonderful blessing to read~ Love you dear friend!
Ray Ann