gratitudejournal

  • Thanks "living"

    "Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness and for His wonderful works to the children of men and let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving."

    I say, "Lord, I'm so thankful for all that you've done for me."

    But talk is cheap. 

    Cause if I'm thankful it really ought to show in my life.  By the way I live.   

    All around we can find those who are grumbly hateful rather than humbly grateful.

    This Thanksgiving can be spent saying, "Oh we're thankful."  Followed by a big meal and football.  

    But what would happen if we went a little further than that?   

    Romans Chapter 12 says, "I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice wholly, acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service, and be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

    I want to offer myself this Thanksgiving to the LORD and say, "Lord, before I give you anything else I give you myself completely."

    Psalm 34:1 "I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth." 

    May his praise be continually in my mouth.  But most of all may it show in my life. 

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  • Beauty in Everything

    "Like the hummingbird sipping nectar from every flower, 

    I fly joyfully through my days, seeing beauty in everything."

    ~Amethyst Wyldfyre

     

  • So Much To Thank Him For

    "All moments are key moments, and life itself is grace."  Frederick Buechner

    There's so much to thank God for.  When I think of all he's done, I realize I will never thank him enough.

    Thankful 13:  A beautiful woman named Lucy.  Polio at the age of 3 confined her to a wheelchair but a little ol' wheel chair did not deter Mrs. Lucy Fisher.  She lived her life full and she lived her life well.  She leaves behind a beautiful legacy of children and grandchildren.  The fruit of her 50 year marriage to Mr. Bruce.  Mrs. Lucy received her heavenly body and will never again use that ol' wheel chair. 

    Thankful 14:  God's provision for my dear friend, Mrs. Frances Page.  Mrs. Frances is in her 80s and underwent hernia surgery this week.  She has a heart condition that makes anesthesia a little scary but she came through beautifully and is home recovering.  God went before her in all things and provided for her to have the best care and support.  Now she can enjoy that turkey I know is already in her freezer waiting for her family to come next week! 

    Thankful 15:  Friends who pray.  This week has been a doozy for our church family.  It has really stretched our little tribe.  Running here, running there.  Cooking this.  Delivering that.  Visiting this hospital, that funeral home.  Hearts hurting for friends and feeling helpless to alleviate the suffering and grief.  Did I mention that my kids and I are all due for doctor, dentist, and eye appts?  Yes.  Between last week and this week we have nine - count them - nine! doctor appts.  (All good reports so far!  Four more to go between Thurs and Fri) I have had friends, who had no idea about any of this, leave me voicemails, emails, fb messages, etc... because they felt lead to pray for our family.  God is so good to lead our friends and family to pray for us.  We feel your prayers and they are dear to us!  We covet them! 

    Thankful 16:  God's word! 

    I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God. Then you will have minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ, God's great mystery. All the richest treasures of wisdom and knowledge are embedded in that mystery and nowhere else. And we've been shown the mystery! I'm telling you this because I don't want anyone leading you off on some wild-goose chase, after other so-called mysteries, or "the Secret." Colossians 2:2-4

     

  • So Much To Be Thankful For

    Thankful 10:  The voice of truth.  Click here for more about that.

    Thankful 11:  Filling my mason jar glass (why does everything taste better in a mason jar?) with shaved ice.  My sweet friend understands the importance of good ice when preggers and treated me to this special gift for my birthday -

    snowcone

    Only mine is way cuter in lime green. 

    Thankful 12:  Sisters making a Christmas Chain so momma doesn't have to answer THAT question over and over and over for the next 43 days! 

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  • Celebrating Everyday Blessings

     "If you look for reasons to celebrate - no matter how small - you'll increase your overall happiness." 

    Celebrating the everyday blessings is a deliberate action.  It is a purposeful mind set that transforms my inner being.  Recognizing the Giver of those everyday "joy-makers" fills me with joy that surpasses all understanding!

    Thankful Day 8: 

    Unsweet Tea from Rigdon's (local dive known for their fried chicken but preferred by me for their tea and grilled chicken salads). 

    Thankful Day 9:

    Little people anxiously awaiting muffins from the oven.

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  • Stress Relief (Thankful Day 7)

    Even the experts know the importance of gratitude:  "Developing an attitude of  gratitude toward the people, things and events in your life is a life-affirming and effective way to strengthen your emotional resilience and reduce stress, among other things. Maintaining a gratitude journal makes it easy to get in the habit of focusing on the positive in your life, while also reaping the benefits of journaling."

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    So here goes a little stress relief:

    I felt especially blessed this weekend by a few friends in real life. 

    Thankful 5:

    Card of encouragement from a dear friend.  A timely word that fills me with joy.  (Love you, Heidi!)

    Thankful 6:

    Colorful friends that bring color to my sometimes overly conservative (beige) life.  (Even though she's never on the internet and won't be reading this, Love you, Monikue!)

    Thankful 7:

    Lighthearted fun and tasty food with our small group!  (Love to all of you who participated in Fun 101.  I loved that we were able to relax and get to know one another better!  I know some strange facts about each of you.  haha!)

    Need some stress relief of your own?  Gratitude is free therapy. 

     

  • Thankful Day 4 (2011)

    It was a breezy cool day in the low country.  The leaves are in full color.  The beauty of God's creation surrounds us.  The kids and I had a "special" lunch out.  It was a sweet time for us to talk about our week.  A time to converse about the fun and not so fun things going on in their lives. 

    On Thankful Day 4, I want to thank God for fall Friday's in the low country.  :)

  • Thankful Day 3 (2011)

    Today I had my 32 week doctor appt.  When someone asked my due date and  I responded "December" it seemed forever away.  Now that it is November it doesn't sound that far away!  :)  

    "A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; But as soon as she has given birth, she no longer remembers the anguish, For joy that a child has been born into the world."  John 16.21

    So true or I wouldn't be on baby number 5!  :)  

    Today (Thankful Day 3) I praise God for my health and the precious baby it is sustaining. 

    "Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God." Job 37:14

     

  • Thankful Day 2 (2011)

    "Commit everything you do to the Lord.  Trust him, and he will help you.  He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.  Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.  Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes." Ps 37:5-7

    On this Thankful Day 2, I praise God for his provision for the chief and I.  For his loving care and help.  I pray that we continue to trust him more and more.  The Lord is a loving father who brings good from everything.  Even the yuck that happens. 

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    The Chief reminds me often that the cup has the same amount in it whether I see it as half full or half empty.  I'm choosing to see the fullness. 

    P.S.  This pic was taken last October.  We have new pics coming soon.  Our fab family photog met up with us to get new pics that I CAN'T WAIT to see.  Five babies and I finally did maternity pics for the first time.  

  • Thankful Day 1 (2011)

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    November brings cooler days and early evenings.  Our thoughts are turning toward the Holidays, especially Thanksgiving.   

     "Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow."
    -Melody Beattie

    I'm abundantly blessed.  Join me as I savor this season of gratitude.  Each day, I am pausing to count my blessings and give thanks. 

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    Day one:  I am thankful for my four (soon to be five) children.  Being a mom is a dream come true.  I cherish the long days and the short years.  God's been good to me.