REFLECTING AND BEING GRATEFUL

There are times we focus so much on our struggles and tend to forget about the greatness of the Lord in our life.
What have we got that the Lord did not give to us?, what about the strength?.
Sometimes when I think about the greatness of the Lord Lord in my, I dont even know how to express my gratitude to Him
(2Ki 4:37) She fell at his feet and bowed before him, overwhelmed with gratitude. Then she took her son in her arms and carried him downstairs.

As most of my friends will know, I just started study this February. Before this I was studying back home in Ghana, but came here to continue my degree. Unfortunately things turned around the wrong way. Could not pursue my degree due to financial restrained (International student fees).
I had to work for about 3 yrs to have enough money to continue in February 2007.
Before the semester begun, I told the Lord, that I want to be faithful while I study. I don’t want my study to be an obstacle in serving the Lord as I have always been since becoming a Christian in 1997.
I never knew what that prayer meant until half way through the semester, when having to readjust myself to the new study life after about 4yrs away from lecture room, essays piling up, test dates approaching, having to serve the Lord faithfully (worship leading, leading my care (cell) group, following up on people, going to prayer meeting and Care (cell) group, spending hrs in church on Sunday. Beside all the above, I was working about 20 hrs every week.
Stress level begun to rise during this time, begun to mourn to myself, always complaining to the Lord. I can’t count the number of times I regretted coming to New Zealand. I thought coming to New Zealand was a wrong move, and I should not have been here in the first place.
The Lord brought people into my life who could detect the change of personality, because of reduction in my energy level, disappearance of the beautiful smile on my face, etc.
They were such a great blessing. It was so encouraging when I had a message from Gali in Singapore that Tamar has been praying for me because the Lord “placed” me on her heart.

After all these, what did the Lord do for me for my faithfulness?1)I prayed to the Lord that I want a Lap Top for my study. I went to work few days later and a colleague asked me “Kojo, do you have a Lap Top?” I said “No”, She said “do you want one?” I don’t mind I replied. Thank God for his provision
2) I prayed to the Lord and ask HIM “if its you who gave me the Lap Top, I want a printer as well”. Exactly one week after the request, a colleague offered me a printer. That’s just awesome.
3) I requested for the Florence Nightingale’s memorial scholarship for books. Provide by the NZ Nurses organization, I it got approved.
4) The most importantly, I had good grades for my end of semester exams. This qualified me for a STUDY AWARD.

I don’t even know how to say thank you to my created, but as psalmist said, “Psa 116:12 What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?”
I have learned a lot from this. When we are faithful to the Lord, HE will not short-change us. He will provide strength for the weak, because they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they will run and never be weary, they shall walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31).
What the Lord has done for me, I can not tell it all.