Thanksgiving Blessings

We had a Happy Thanksgiving, I hope that you did too!

We have so much to be thankful for, I'm glad there

is a day set aside especially for us to thank God

for His goodness to us!

Here is the organic turkey we buy from a farm all

ready to go into the oven

So happy and thankful that we had

a house full of people this year!

 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving,

 and tell of all thy wondrous works.  Psalm 26:7

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, 

and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. Psalm 95:2

Practicing Thankfulness

And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Col. 3:14-16

Thankfulness has been on my heart a lot recently...

And, I'm becoming more and more certain that being thankful and grateful is a choice.

I have to remind myself sometimes (as I begin to see fault, or grumble) that I need to look for the

blessing in the situation.

In my previous post I mentioned that I keep a God's Grace Gifts journal.

This has been such an excellent tool for cultivating thankfulness!

I can look back through the pages of the last year and be reminded over and over

how many blessings God has graced me with.

I believe that in almost every one's life--that the blessings far outweigh the bad things.

However, the bad things seem to be what folks naturally dwell on,

and they often seem to plague us through the years.

They stay in the spotlight and absorb our thoughts.

I am trying to choose to focus on the blessings that I've been given in my life.

Purposefully choosing to remember the blessings that I've been given throughout my life

(that I do not even deserve!)

That's what grace is! NOT getting what we truly deserve!

(see Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:)

Some of my blessings are visible!

My family, my extended family, friends, notes of encouragement, flowers in bloom, a hug, a smile,  the Bible, the garden, the ocean, the dogs etc...

But some are not...like the feeling of God's presence, the answered prayers, words of love and encouragement, godly music, a gentle breeze on my face, the fragrance of lilacs, the laughter of a child, the voice of a dear friend on the phone...

So, I hope that you're looking for the blessings that are in your life today...and I hope

that you find as many as I am!

I am indeed blessed!

 

Milestone

In March 2011 I was blessed to read the book

 One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are

by Ann Voskamp

I don't know if you have heard of, or even read this sure-to-be classic book, but if you have, you know that it is not an easy read.

The author's life has not been an easy one, nor are the principles set forth in this book-about having gratitude and thankfulness no matter what your circumstances.

The author asks hard questions, and addresses the difficulties in life, while drawing us

to the conclusion that we are to imitate the life of Christ --and be full of gratitude in every thing.

This soul searching book which basis it's principles on scripture, shows us how we can

experience a life of JOY!

The book encourages us to start making a list of gratitude--actually 1,000 of them!

Today, I reached my 1,000th entry!

I chose God's Grace Gifts as the name of my list

photo credit

What I didn't know when I started this, was how much my life was going to change during this time.

I didn't know that some of the hardest days of my life were going to be faced as I was writing this list.

I didn't know that I would face cancer, financial struggles, & a potentially debilitating illness.

But, God did.

photo credit

What a perfect time to search my heart daily for gratitude.

For the blessings of that day.

Some days I just was happy to be drawing my next breath--so, I listed that.

This was such an excellent tool to train my heart to look constantly for things that bring joy.

(even on the days I was in pain, or afraid)

I learned to look more closely at the blessings that surround me constantly-that I might have otherwise overlooked!

A Butterfly

Tiny Violets

Motherhood

A smile from a stranger

An unexpected kindness

photo credit

God's thumbprint on all of His Creation cries out His glory!

This journal helps me to see it--and note it!

I intend to keep on adding to my journal, and hope that I will continue to

cultivate a spirit of thankfulness and gratitude to God.

photo credit

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him,

 and bless his name.Psalm 100:4

Hall of Fame

Some of you may know that I have been having some major health issues recently...

And, as a result, I created a Hall of Fame!

My dear, sweet, Prayer Warrior friends & family have sent me flowers, apples,

fruit, fruit salad, cards, and given me phone calls.

I am so blessed by it, I have entered them in the Hall of Fame!

Each person who prays, writes, and cares just blesses me so much, and

I just wanted to express my gratefulness!

The Lord is hearing the prayers of His saints and is answering.

My life is being blessed so much! :0)

And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
Rev. 5:8

THANK YOU LORD



THANK YOU LORD

Lord, thank you for this sink of dirty dishes;

we have plenty of food to eat.

Thank you for this pile of dirty, stinky laundry;

we have plenty of nice clothes to wear.

And I would like to thank you, Lord, for those unmade beds;

they were so warm and comfortable last night. 

 I know that many have no bed.

My thanks to you, Lord, for this bathroom,

complete with all the splattered
mirrors, soggy, grimy towels and  dirty lavatory;

they are so convenient.

Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator that needs defrosting so
badly;  

It has served us faithfully for many years. 

 It is full of cold
drinks and enough leftovers for two or three meals.

Thank you, Lord, for this oven that absolutely must be cleaned today.

It has baked so many things over the years.

The whole family is grateful for that tall grass that needs mowing,

 the lawn that needs raking; we all enjoy the yard.

Thank you, Lord, even for that slamming screen door.  

My kids are healthy and able to run and play.

Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me says You have richly
blessed my family. 

 I shall do them cheerfully and I shall do them gratefully.

This was sent to me by my dear friend Marie.

I loved it, hope you do also.

In Every Thing...

I'm having "one of those" seasons of life...

so, I'm writing a post to myself! LOL

Right now...

we lost a dear friend of the family to cancer...

our van is making a weird noise...

Brad's truck broke down and is having issues...

our upstairs (main) shower has issues...

our mowers have issues...

and we cannot open our pool this year because the motor died!

And so, I am reminded of the verse above and am quoting it repeatedly!

So, I am here to say,

THANK YOU

Thank you

thank you!

And please help me to keep my eyes, and my thoughts on You LORD!

Home....

It takes hands to build a house, but only hearts can build a home. ~Author Unknown

Well, over at my dear friend Marci's blog today...she has Count Your Blessings Monday

So, today I am listing my home as the blessing I'm most thankful for today...

Home is a place not only of strong affections, but of entire unreserve; it is life's undress rehearsal, its backroom, its dressing room. ~Harriet Beecher Stowe

Where we love is home,Home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.~Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr

There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort. ~Jane Austen

My home isn't fancy. (I call it my little dollhouse, or my little nest) But it sure is comfortable. It is safe, and pleasant...a refuge and a haven. I am a true homebody ( as are my whole family!), so having a place like this is perfect balm for my soul.

Every house where love abides

And friendship is a guest,

Is surely home,

and home sweet home

For there the heart can rest.

~Henry Van Dyke