November 24, 2009

  • A Life Of Thanksgiving

    "borrowing" this from a friend's blog, who also "borrowed" it from another friend, etc...

    The Thanksgiving holiday is one of my favorites...food, football, family, friends and lots of fun. But, originally, it was meant to be a day to pause and give authentic thanks to God. Unfortunately, for many, including myself, thanksgiving is more of a one-day holiday that a way of life. I don't know about you, but I've been blessed beyond comprehension, and even in the unwelcome moments of life, I have so much to be thankful for.

    What would it look like if I ONLY spoke words of gratitude the entire week of Thanksgiving? If I went so far as to look at a pile of laundered clothes that awaits my folding and putting up, a task I normally hate, and instead think and speak out loud, “God, thank you for these clothes, for providing covering.” When my daughter voicing her grumpiness, “God, thank you that she has a voice that works and you are shaping her own unique personality.” If every time next week I see a person, I tell them why I am thankful to God they are in my life.

    So, starting this Monday morning and going through this Sunday evening, I'm challenging myself to live an entire week full of thanksgiving.

    Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.
    (Ephesians 5:4 ESV)

    Anytime I'm tempted to think/say/do something negative (filthy, foolish, crude or otherwise unthankfull), I will instead choose, in that very moment, to give thanks to God for His blessing in my life.

    If you'd like to join me, please leave a comment saying so AND repost this (in our own words, if you'd like...no need to link me) on your blog, twitter, facebook, etc. and challenge your friends to do the same. Even if you're not reading this until after Monday morning, it's never too late to take up a good challenge. And, keep in mind that nobody who takes this challenge is going to make it an entire week without missing the mark...so, when that happens to you, just pick yourself back up and start again!

    Thanks!

    Now for some blogging (of sorts)

    I am Thankful for:

    • my life
    • my husband- we've had a rough couple of months but we're doing so much better now and even during the rough moments, I love him and am so grateful for him being in my life!
    • my wonder child- sure she annoys me, and at times its beyond frustrating to care for her and do all her treatments and therapies and dealing with her "issues", etc; BUT she makes me laugh and smile and view the world in a whole new way.  I am so very blessed for her!
    • my God- He loves me and is always there- during the good and bad moments.  He also gave me Aaron, Kivrin, my family, and my friends, etc.
    • my family
    • my friends- both in real life and online
    • my church- I have grown so much there and just love going there- everyone should have a church they belong to and are happy to attend!

    Happy Thanksgiving! 

    Laters

    Kristen