Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy and change ordinary opportunities into blessings. ~William Arthur Ward
Sometime back I was struggling. I knew I had to be very deliberate in my attitude and actions. So I began writing down in my planner each day three things I was thankful for. And let me tell you something. That was a game changer.
Hard as I try, I can't put it all into words. I can't possibly make an in exhaustive list of all the people and things I'm thankful for. I'd miss something. I'd miss many things.
"The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." ~Psalm 126:3
Yesterday I was talking to Seth's cousin. We haven't seen her in awhile so we were catching up. She was asking me about homeschooling, Seth's job, life. I began sharing with her the many ways in which God has abundantly provided for us, the ways in which He has sustained me, the ways in which God has been so very good to us.
So, if I had to make a list, I'd start here:
New life in Christ - "Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin." ~Romans 6:4-6
His Word - What would I do without Him?! What would I do without His Word?! "For the word of God is living and powerful . . ." ~Hebrews 4:12. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." ~2 Timothy 3:16-17
My husband - Seth is one of my greatest treasures on this earth. He is all my favorites! " . . . I found the one my heart loves." ~Song of Songs 3:4
My children - Mason, Hannah Kate and Ellie are my greatest blessings! "Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth." ~Psalm 127:3-4
My family - I sure missed being with my family this Thanksgiving. This was our first Thanksgiving without Grandmother. I think of all the holidays, Thanksgiving was her favorite. From the food to the place settings to the place cards, she always went all out . . . year after year after year. And we were there. We were all there. Always. The food was the exact same. The seating chart was the exact same (I already mentioned we had place cards). Those family meals are some of my best childhood memories. "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy." ~Philippians 1:3-4
My faith family - I am especially thankful for the sisters in Christ that I sit in a circle with on Tuesday mornings and serve with on Wednesday mornings. God was so very good in opening the door for me to return to BSF this year to study Romans. He has given me a new friend whose son is also dyslexic. He is now in his early 20s and thriving. She has been a huge source of encouragement to me. He has given me another new friend who homeschooled her four children for 23 years. He knew I would need encouragement here this school year. I reconnected with my former group leader who prayed for Mason and me daily the year he was in 2nd grade, and we were having such a difficult time of it. She's continued to pray for him since! "As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." ~Proverbs 27:17
God's perfect provision - Seth's job, the food in our pantry, our house, our medical insurance, good health . . . oh, the list is long! And it is all from Him! "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." ~Philippians 4:19
As we gathered around the table yesterday, I asked the everyone to share something they were thankful for. Mason was put on the spot and went first. He said he was thankful that Jesus died on the cross for his sins. Later someone asked him what was on his list for Christmas. He said he didn't have much of a list because there really isn't anything he needs because he already has all he needs. And this kid is just being honest.
Isn't God good?! His love, His forgiveness, His mercy, His grace, His compassion . . . His abundant, perfect provision!
A few more pictures from our Thanksgiving:
Oh, the look on Hannah Kate's face when she realized she got the "short end of the stick!"
What are you thankful for? I encourage you to spend a little time writing down your gratitude and thanksgivings. You'll be ever so glad you did!
Sometime back I was struggling. I knew I had to be very deliberate in my attitude and actions. So I began writing down in my planner each day three things I was thankful for. And let me tell you something. That was a game changer.
Hard as I try, I can't put it all into words. I can't possibly make an in exhaustive list of all the people and things I'm thankful for. I'd miss something. I'd miss many things.
"The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." ~Psalm 126:3
Yesterday I was talking to Seth's cousin. We haven't seen her in awhile so we were catching up. She was asking me about homeschooling, Seth's job, life. I began sharing with her the many ways in which God has abundantly provided for us, the ways in which He has sustained me, the ways in which God has been so very good to us.
So, if I had to make a list, I'd start here:
New life in Christ - "Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin." ~Romans 6:4-6
His Word - What would I do without Him?! What would I do without His Word?! "For the word of God is living and powerful . . ." ~Hebrews 4:12. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." ~2 Timothy 3:16-17
My husband - Seth is one of my greatest treasures on this earth. He is all my favorites! " . . . I found the one my heart loves." ~Song of Songs 3:4
My children - Mason, Hannah Kate and Ellie are my greatest blessings! "Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth." ~Psalm 127:3-4
My family - I sure missed being with my family this Thanksgiving. This was our first Thanksgiving without Grandmother. I think of all the holidays, Thanksgiving was her favorite. From the food to the place settings to the place cards, she always went all out . . . year after year after year. And we were there. We were all there. Always. The food was the exact same. The seating chart was the exact same (I already mentioned we had place cards). Those family meals are some of my best childhood memories. "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy." ~Philippians 1:3-4
My faith family - I am especially thankful for the sisters in Christ that I sit in a circle with on Tuesday mornings and serve with on Wednesday mornings. God was so very good in opening the door for me to return to BSF this year to study Romans. He has given me a new friend whose son is also dyslexic. He is now in his early 20s and thriving. She has been a huge source of encouragement to me. He has given me another new friend who homeschooled her four children for 23 years. He knew I would need encouragement here this school year. I reconnected with my former group leader who prayed for Mason and me daily the year he was in 2nd grade, and we were having such a difficult time of it. She's continued to pray for him since! "As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." ~Proverbs 27:17
God's perfect provision - Seth's job, the food in our pantry, our house, our medical insurance, good health . . . oh, the list is long! And it is all from Him! "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." ~Philippians 4:19
As we gathered around the table yesterday, I asked the everyone to share something they were thankful for. Mason was put on the spot and went first. He said he was thankful that Jesus died on the cross for his sins. Later someone asked him what was on his list for Christmas. He said he didn't have much of a list because there really isn't anything he needs because he already has all he needs. And this kid is just being honest.
Isn't God good?! His love, His forgiveness, His mercy, His grace, His compassion . . . His abundant, perfect provision!
A few more pictures from our Thanksgiving:
