Leadership Tips & Training Five NEW Things I'm Thankful For

A year ago I had a long list of things I was genuinely thankful for, but these five were not on my list.  These are new and fresh things that God has added to my life, and I have seen them as a direct result of studying His Word.   I am so thankful that I am just about ready to send a “Thank You Note” to God!

As leaders, we sometimes become discouraged in our personal lives and forget His benefits.   We all have so much to be grateful for, but we occasionally get stuck in a rut.  My friend, Becky Turner, says a rut is a grave with the ends knocked out.  A rut is not a great place to be.   You cannot see anything but the closed in walls around you.   Studying God’s Word has a way of revealing those things that are hidden that we may not have noticed.  In this past year God has done some amazing things, for which I am very grateful, but honestly, I think I just finally noticed how significant these blessings really are.  Studying God’s Word helps me see things from His perspective.  Each blessing is directly out of Psalm 103:1-5, the New Living Translation:

Let all that I am praise the Lord;

With my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.

Let all that I am praise the Lord;

May I never forget the good things he does for me.

He forgives all of my sins

And heals all of my diseases.

He redeems me from death

And crowns me with love and tender mercies.

He fills my life with good things,

My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

He heals all of my diseases.  It’s almost been a year ago that I had surgery and the recovery I have had is amazing.  Not only do I feel much better, but God has taken me to a new level in my own personal fitness.  A year ago I could not imagine that happening!  In fact, I thought I had reached that time in my life that I would have to give up some of the physical exercise that I love so much.  I am so thankful that he heals us and gives us so much more than we can imagine!   Is there something you have been struggling with in the physical realm?   God can use even doctors and medicine to heal our bodies, but we still must trust Him enough to take those steps of faith.  I had put off this surgery for over two years, simply because I did not trust Him enough. 

He crowns me with love and tender mercies.  God has given me the most precious First Place 4 Health class.  A year ago I did not have a class to lead.  I did not have those close friends within arm’s reach to keep me accountable.  He has blessed me with nine wonderful, committed women in my Wednesday morning class.  He has crowned each one of us with weight loss success!  What great joy it gives me every week to see them losing so much and gaining so much at the same time!  I feel like the class is a crown upon my head, placed there by our loving, Heavenly Father for my good and His glory.  Are you truly thankful for your position of leadership?  Shepherding those in your class is a fearful and noble calling.   Lead with thanksgiving and it will make a difference.

He fills my life with good things.  I have so many new things in my life to be thankful for.  In just one year I have gone from zero to four grandchildren!  I have gained a precious daughter-in-law, Joy, and will be gaining another son, Phillip, on December 17.   My life is filling up so much I hardly have room to hold all of the blessings!   Has God brought some surprises into your life?  Those surprises might be blessings in disguise.  I recall a conversation with someone who had just heard of my daughter Megan’s engagement to Phillip.  Phillip has three precious children ages 4, 9 and 10.  The comment was, “It’s a shame that Phillip comes with all of that baggage.”   That anyone would refer to these precious children as baggage is beyond me.  They are bonuses!  As Megan says, the only thing that would keep her from marrying Phillip is if the Lord would bring along someone with FOUR wonderful children into her life!  Is there something or someone in your life that you may need to view with your love glasses on? 

My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!  I am excited about life!  There is so much in store for the one whose heart is turned toward Him.  In fact, II Chronicles 16:9 tells us that He is looking all over the earth for those hearts and for ways to bless us!    I am anticipating great and mighty things through the ministry of First Place 4 Health.  For such a time as this, there could not be a more timely and effective way to minister to people.   God will renew your strength and give you what it takes to continue leading your classes. Giving thanks is just one of the ways your energy and enthusiasm for life is restored. 

I am thankful everyday for my First Place 4 Health family and staff.  Carole Lewis, Lisa Lewis, Pat Lewis, Lisa Cramer and Bob and Dee Matthews continue to be a blessing in my life, for which I am eternally thankful.    Let this be my official “Thank You Note to God” and to all of you!   

Happy Thanksgiving!

Vicki Heath