The Gifts....Thankful Thursday

This week I'm thankful for these gifts:

1. For a glorious day at church Sunday...complete with gathered prayer for a sweet family in our church who suffered loss last week.

2. For a husband who will discipline his children.

3. For rain..twice!

4. For the opportunity to share....and receive kind words.

5. For a chat with my sister in law on the phone.

6. For a group of people who had a cancer fundraiser for one of my former student's sister, who has leukemia. Pray for Phoebe.

7. For three VBS's that are preparing to descend upon our town next week. Make Jesus Known!

8. For God's will revealed.

9. For 20 years celebrated...of imperfect marriage.

10. For a teenage boy...who is a social media guru...who will monitor our church feeds for us...proving again that God uses all our gifts, abilities and talents if we will allow Him to!

Thanks, God...for all these gifts and more.

What are you thankful for this week?

The Gifts....Thankful Thursday

A few things that I'm especially thankful for this week:

1. I found a $100 Lowe's gift card I had misplaced over 2 years ago. Ironic that I found it just a few days after I started deep cleaning my house and needed to buy little things like the blind wand that broke off the wood blinds 2 years ago, the toilet paper holder thing-a-ma-jig that holds the tp between the actual holder (that was specific wasn't it?), a shoe organizer, lightbulbs and a plastic shelving unit for my laundry room? I think not.

2. For the 10 potatoes that I dug up out of my garden. I know, I know....not a big yield....but still, after all they survived to just be with us today...2 late winter freezes, being mowed down not once, not twice...but three times...well, I think they deserve a standing ovation!

3. For the $25 pool that is making the summer more fun for the kids. Sure it's a glorified kiddie pool but it's already paid for itself by providing countless hours of fun for them. And it's cool and wet!

4. For the encouragement of God's Word. I've been revisiting some of my favorite Psalms in preparation for substitute teaching in Sunday School and I'm more convinced than ever of God's goodness, faithfulness and overwhelming protection over my life.

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday and One Thousand Gifts

The Favor

I'm notorious for under-emphasizing the favor of God on my life. I think if we're honest, most of us are that way. I know I would certainly complain less and throw fewer pity parties if I would just think about how God's favor, His grace and His blessings are all around me.

Now before you think I am going all Pollyanna/Mary Poppins on you, let me assure you...I'm very aware of struggles, hurts, grief. But it seems like we can spend an enormous part of our lives wrapped up in "ME" that we miss the God stuff that happens.

Recently, God's been showing off. We've needed a new(er) car for about a year now. One of ours had 182,000 miles and the other 120,000 and neither has been exceptionally road worthy lately. We had saved some money for a down payment, knew we could get something for our trade in (albeit a small amount of something) and just figured we would buy a midsized car or a small SUV...but what we really needed was something that we could fit at least 6 passengers in. Well, lo and behold what landed in our laps was a two year old large SUV with bells and whistles and more stuff than I've ever seen....and did I mention we got way more than our trade in should have brought in...and that the price was exactly where we were comfortable. And it's beautiful...truly. In fact...so much so that I caught myself apologizing...almost embarrassed by the blessing. (Wouldn't the enemy just LOVE that?)

And did I mention, as we were pulling off the lot, I was crying. Bruce looked over at me ...bewildered ('cause that's how I like to keep him :) and said, "What?" I just shook my head and said, "I just can't believe how good God is to us...over and over and over." See, HIS favor gives us things we don't always ask for...like safety features, and electric and USB plugs, and heated AND cooled seats and other stuff that I don't really NEED but sure are nice to have. His favor gives us extras....extra features on a car, extra patience when dealing with children, extra grace when we mess up, extra money at the end of the month. His favor is unlimited and undeserved.

So the next time I'm tempted to dwell on myself and my disappointments, I'm going to work a little harder to remember HIS favor, HIS blessings, HIS extras that make knowing HIM the biggest blessing of all and I'm going to remind myself that the only one who gets the glory when I don't acknowledge the favor of God is the enemy...and seriously...what woman of God wants that?

Tomorrow...I will talk a bit more on this...like I said, He's been showing off.

The New 30

I've heard it said a million (ok, maybe not that many) times over the last year "40 is the new 30"...and in my near dread of facing the big 4-0 I was trying to convince myself that this was the case. However, I've been reading "The Resolution For Women" and the first chapter is all about embracing the moment you are in now and not wishing for a better time, a more stable time, a healthier time or a more profitable time. As I neared my birthday I had resolved that I would tackle this year with more contentment. Thankfulness for where God has brought me, that His grace will be just as sufficient for these days as the last. Contentment for those moments when I am sorely dissatisfied and markedly unthankful. And joy for this moment in the history of my life. And just when I thought things couldn't get any better...my friends showed up.

Yes..and my Dr. (who ordered me to stay in the wheel chair all night long)

These crazy girls along with 45 or so of the ladies in the church showed up to give me a really special welcome into the 4th decade of my life. Here's a glimpse into the evening:

We played some games....including "Are you smarter than a first grader". And there was poetry and music from the 70's.

I was given some charming accessories...what girl doesn't like that?!

Lasagna and all the sides were served

And of course...cake

And a very special devotion on the faithfulness of God.

Then this company of godly ladies gathered around and said a prayer over me. And that perhaps, was the best gift of all...That you are loved enough to be taken to the feet of Jesus and prayed over is a gift that I'll never forget. How blessed am I?

And one of my favorite parts of the party was when they told me what my "real" gift was...

They had all brought food to donate to our food pantry at church! This was such a thoughtful gift...knowing that our food pantry is so close to my heart. 

So, thanks Ladies of CBC. You made turning the new 30 easier than I could have ever imagined! I know lots of hard work and effort went into making it a night I will never forget! I think you successfully accomplished that! 

Multitudes on Mondays #32-46

I'm listing the recent everyday blessings that God has poured out on me. There's no way to list them all, remember them all, cherish them all ....because we cannot fathom the earthly everyday abundance we have. This is my attempt to gather and meditate on the goodness of God for a few minutes ....praying that this becomes a lifestyle of intentional thankfulness and gratitude to God and others for the blessings on my life.

#32 - A funeral where the gospel was preached

#33- A smell of lasagna and friendship wafting through the air on a hot Tuesday night

#34- Time for a drive in the country with family....dreaming

#35- A date with my son to see Mr. Popper's Penguins

#36- Prayer at the altar with a mom

#37- The privilege of prayer after the altar.

#38- A clean house

#39- Breakfast for dinner ... and peanut butter on pancakes

#40- Savannah's study of the book of Daniel

#41- Friends who picked up the tab

#42- Teachers who love kids and are faithful each Sunday to tell them about Jesus

#43- A husband who plays wii, bingo, takes out the trash and preaches God's Word....and loves me.

#44- A sister in law who takes her niece to Splash Kingdom

#45- A funny card

#46- A summer ensemble

Don't you have a multitude of blessings that need to be proclaimed? Leave a comment, write them down or tell someone today.....God loves to hear our thanksgivings!

Multitudes on Mondays

Continuing with my list of random everyday gifts God gives...

12. Little hands that are big enough to help around the house

13. A man of God for a life partner spouse.

14. Modern technology to keep in touch with far away family

15. A spur of the moment shopping trip with the sister in law

16. Flaws in myself that draw me closer to my creator

17. Wycliffe Bible Translators

18. The Gideons International

19. A mom friend who shares God's love with her children....those she bore and those she is entrusted with for a while. What I've learned from this incredible love is immeasurable.

20. The steadfast love of the Lord that never changes....no matter what.

21. Modern medicine that helps stomachs prepare for international travel, cures motion sickness and dries up poison ivy.

Thank you, Lord, for these blessings.

One Thousand Gifts

I'm beginning a challenge that is prompted by reading Ann Voskamp's book, One Thousand Gifts. The art of gratitude is beautifully displayed in Ann's masterpiece writing and has prompted me to live a more grateful life....looking for everyday gifts in the midst of our heartaches, our schedules, our burdens, our fears. So in no particular order or amount, I plan to journal one by one my (at least) one thousand gifts. Want to join me? I think you'll be glad you did!

1. A nourished people sorting food for hungry people.

2. Generosity modeled in deed

3. Laughter and silliness with friends

4. "I love you" and sleepy hugs

5. Spring showers

6. Summer break

7. Plastic rodeo toys and time with the boy

8. Toenail polish and time with the girl

9. Forgotten flowers planted last year now blooming this year

10. Cringing sounds from the piano that will one day bring beautiful music

11. Chinese food, Ronnie Milsap and ice cream....double date night with friends.