As I grow older, I realize more and more what a blessed life I have - and how good God has been to me and how much I have been given. I haven't gotten everything I ever wanted when I wanted it - but I see how God's Hand was in everything that has happened to me, even in the darkest times and hardest days. I deserve nothing - none of this - not this family, not my home, not my church, not my friends. And yet, God has daily loaded me with benefits of which I was sometimes not even aware. His mercy has been great - and His long suffering has been, well, LONG. He continues to work on me and love me - and I want to be aware of His goodness. My birthday is this month! And I have loved that it is on the very last day of the month - easy to remember - kind of a nice, even date: November 30. This year, I am looking at so much to be thankful for as I approach another birthday: nearing the end of what has been a very enjoyable pregnancy, nearing the end of my 30's (a decade in which I have "grown" so much - often through trials, but always with God's grace right there when I was ready to receive it), and nearing the end of 6 1/2 years of employment at my church & its Christian school (my last day of working in the office is on my birthday!).
This month I want to express and focus on how truly thankful I am - and so I am planning "30 Days of Thanks". It isn't original to my blog - though there isn't any other blog that I know of doing this - but I did steal the graphic from another website! ;) I'd love it if you joined me - if just in dwelling on your own blessings each day in the stillness of your own heart. Blessings are all around - some tiny, some almost going unnoticed, and some are HUGE, in-your-face obvious! I am working on my negative attitudes lately, hoping to form new habits of dwelling on God's goodness instead of on the negatives of the world. I know I won't feel thankful every day - and I know my life won't suddenly turn into Pollyanna-World - but I am looking forward to finding joy in every day despite circumstances and despite myself.
6 comments:
AMEN! For in all things, give THANKS to the LORD.
I certainly does my heart good to be challenged to focus on the blessings of God... Even in the dreary circumstances that can come our way.
Today I am thankful for the power and conviction brought by God's Holy Word. And the power of the Holy Spirit to clean up my heart.
Just wanted to say hi and that we've decided to play along - I was trying to come up with 30 days of Thanksgiving activities when I read your email at Mama Buzz... So here's our first post: http://moziesme.blogspot.com/2009/11/thanks-day-1.html
We'll check in again later!
Connie, thanks for posting about what you are thankful for (on MamaBuzz). I'm going to try and do this all throughout the month of November. Are you going to put up MckLinky for this or the html for the button you created? Thanks so much! Great idea!
Jodi
Hi! Just wanted to say that I found you through Granola Mom 4 God and I think this is a great idea and will try to play along also! God is so good and gives us so much to be thankful for!
Over a year ago, our family added to our night-time routine a time for each of us to share something from that day that we are thankful for. After we say our bedtime prayers, we go around the circle and each say what we are thankful for from that day. My 4 and 6 year old always come up with great reminders of things as adults we don't think of. The best was 6 year old thanking God this summer for white blood cells that help heal all her scrapes and bruises. What an awesome reminder that yes, we need to thank God for white blood cells and how different our lives would be without them! Great idea, but something very easy to incorporate into your everyday life!
What a great meme to have during this month. I am certainly inspired by it.
~Mrs. M
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