It's been a while since I wrote about gratitude, but I've still been thinking about it. There's been a lot going on, not just with my book, but also family stuff and unexpected news and decisions that need to be made. Some good, some not so good. But through it all, there's been plenty to be grateful for. And the one thought that keeps coming to mind, regarding gratitude, is this: WHOM are you grateful TO? Gratitude is not specific to Christians. Anyone in the world can be thankful for life, for good things, even for blessings in hard things. Just like anyone in the world can be honest, or kind, or gentle. But what makes it distinctly Christian is not just being grateful, but being [...Read More]
Gratitude: One Unique Thing
April 5, 2013 By 2 Comments
We like to write gratitude lists, don't we? It helps us focus more actively on positive things, on blessings and smiles, rather than negatives. It helps us remember what we have, even when we're going through a season of have-not. But if you're like me, you tend to repeat the same things. Coffee makes my list at least once a week. So does my husband. So does time with God. And I'm always mentioning books, sunshine, fresh air, good food... Those are all wonderful blessings, and they certainly ought to be on our lists. We need to be thankful for everyday things -- but we need to show gratitude for unique things, too! Get creative! Think outside your usual boxes. Consider things [...Read More]
Gratitude: a Brand New Washing Machine
February 22, 2013 By 10 Comments
You may have seen my Facebook posts over the last two weeks about shopping for a washing machine... here's how God helped me practice gratitude, even while I was staring at a mountain of dirty clothes: I was doing an extra large load of laundry that Saturday morning. And apparently it was a little too full, because something slipped over the side of the tub, and ended up clogging the drain hose. The washer went through all the cycles... but it didn't spin. And even worse, it didn't drain. Hubby was out at drill that day, and I was stuck with a washer full of flannel shirts (and other things) that were soaking in dirty water. I had to take it all out and wash it piece by piece in [...Read More]
Rejoicing in Misery?
February 19, 2013 By 3 Comments
When you feel lousy – you feel lousy. When your body feels sick and tired and blah – then your spirit feels miserable and cranky and, well, blah. Anyone who’s ever been sick can relate. You see, the body and spirit are so interconnected that when you fight a battle in one area, it gets fought in the other one too. When your energy is being spent fighting sickness of some sort, that’s energy that is not being spent fighting bad attitudes and low spirits. It’s hard to fight on both fronts at the same time. It’s challenging. Sometimes it feels impossible. But I don’t think it is impossible. Why? Because we have commands in Scripture, and we are expected to obey [...Read More]
Gratitude: Just Start Looking
February 15, 2013 By 6 Comments
Psalm 103 exhorts us to praise God and remember all His benefits. That can be hard if you're going through a rough season of life. It can be hard if you're mired in difficulty with no end in sight. But believe me, He is still blessing you. It can also be hard to see those benefits if you haven't been looking for them. If you don't know how to look for them. But counting your blessings doesn't have to be difficult. All you have to do is start looking. Because you won't see His plethora of blessings until you start looking for them. You won't realize just how much He's given you, until you start trying to notice it all. And then you'll be astounded by it. You'll be [...Read More]
Gratitude: Enjoying the Little Things
February 8, 2013 By 11 Comments
Sometimes it's nice to focus on enjoying the little things. The every-day things. Like certain colors we find in creation. Or moments of normalcy that can feel all-too-mundane. Or the things we do without even thinking, like brushing our teeth. Let's list some of those things today. Some every-day blessings that I'm grateful for: - time to read for fun - toothpaste and mouthwash - being able to decorate with color - orange juice - major appliances (washer, dryer, fridge, stove) - electricity! - clean running water - tylenol and advil - moisturizer and body lotion - soap! - green grass and fresh air - being [...Read More]
Gratitude: What Are You Thankful For?
January 25, 2013 By 2 Comments
I feel like I've been writing some heavier stuff lately... about God judging the wicked, and His commands for steadfast righteousness, and the desperate need for Jesus in our country, and the spiritual battles that we face every day. These are some hard truths, I know. They are neither music to our ears, nor a sweet balm to our souls. But they are truths from God Himself,and what He says matters! However, God's Word also includes plenty of comforting passages. It overflows with sweet music and joy-packed promises. It is the greatest balm our soul could ever crave! So today let's focus on those joys, on that balm for our weary souls. Let's share some things that have filled us [...Read More]
Focus on Gratitude: With All Your Being
January 18, 2013 By 5 Comments
Right about now is when New Year's resolutions start to flounder. It's been a few weeks... maybe you started off strong and enthusiastic, but you aren't quite seeing any results yet. Or maybe life is getting too busy again, and your "need-to's" are over-powering your "want-to's." Sound about right? One of my resolutions goals for this year is to focus on gratitude. In fact, I jumped on the "one word" bandwagon and made it my keyword for 2013. I want to be more grateful. I want to have a heart of thankfulness... in all things and for all things. I want that to define me -- just like being a Christian and a wife defines me. But life has gotten pretty busy again (not that it ever [...Read More]
Weekly Focus on Gratitude
January 11, 2013 By 11 Comments
I chose the word gratitude as a major focus for this year. And I'd like to emphasize it not just in my personal life, but also here on the blog. So instead of just listing a handful of things I'm thankful for at the end of another post, I want to make a weekly endeavor to focus specifically and purposefully on the concept of gratitude. I plan to share things I'm thankful for, as well as verses or meditations about cultivating a grateful heart. I want this not only to help me personally, but also to minister to each of you, and encourage you to a more purposeful life of gratitude. I also invite you to share what you're thankful for -- or how God is teaching you to be more [...Read More]
A Blended Psalm of Praise
November 29, 2012 By 8 Comments
A Psalm. For giving grateful praise. Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. SHOUT for JOY to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness, come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord, HE IS GOD! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the LORD IS GOOD; his steadfast love endures forever, and [...Read More]
