Gratitude Today

Today my boys will both be dedicated to the Lord~ my husband will be praying for them in front of our church family. Talk about feeling BLESSED and having a grateful heart! How awesome that God has brought me to this place in life where my children are growing up knowing God, having a personal relationship with the Father, and have such an amazing earthly father who will nurture and grow their relationship with God <3

Weather

This morning I was thinking about how blessed I am with weather... Even though sometimes it is hotter than I would like or colder than I want or wetter than I think we need... it is amazing how weather really is just awesome. Today I am remembering that no matter the weather cycle where I am, that I am grateful for it. And for those places facing the most extreme weather, prayers for the people to be safe during it and for God to use the extreme weather in a way that Glorifies Him!

Gratitude "little things"

Some of the "little things" in my life I am grateful for:

1. Baked potatoes loaded with butter, sourcream, and bacon bits
2. A Venti White Chocolate Mocha
3. A diaper changed by someone else
4. Dinner cooked by someone else
5. My Crockpot (lets us have nice hot meal without heating up the house in the summer!)
6. A shower without interruption
7. Watching birds make a nest
8. A 3 Muskateer bar without any little ones asking for a bite
9. Picnics in the Park
10. Puddle Jumping!

Beyond the obvious

Being grateful for family, friends, a home... those are the obvious things we tend to be grateful for. What about the less obvious things in life? I was sitting drinking my tea this morning and looked at my counters in the kitchen, alo the dishes were put away and no dirty dishes had accumulated yet. I am grateful to have clean kitchen counters :) it brings a smile to my face and makes my day better.

What other things, those little barely noticed things, are you grateful for? I will be back later today with my list!

Fear

So this morning I woke up with feelings of "lack"... one of my children is in some trouble, my husband is still unemployed, when my husband got to moving around he made the comment we need money, there is no coffee and no juice in the house right now... just this feeling of need instead of abundance this morning.

Yet I know, God provides all my needs. I may go without wants, but needs... it is always taken care of.

Last Sunday, our Youth Pastor delivered the sermon for the congregation. It was awesome. He talked about how fear interfered with faith. That fear is actually evidence of the absence of faith. Remember when Peter walked on water? As long as his focus was on Jesus, he was fine. As soon as he lost focus, splash...



I realized this morning, fairly quickly, that I was allowing fear to interfer with my trust and faith in God. I know that God will provide. He has never failed me yet. All I have to do is have faith, keep my focus on Him, and not allow something like fear to creep in and mess with me.

Today I am grateful for messages like BJ's last Sunday that let me keep my focus on God and off of things of this world or Satan.

Love it!

20 Things

1. My children
2. Robert
3. Eugene
4. Joshua
5. Katie
6. Elizabeth
7. Allen
8. Blaine
9. My husband
10. My Mom~ although she is gone she has blessed my life in so many ways even today!
11. My church family!
12. My friends
13. My camera (I can record so many memories)
14. My computer
15. The internet (lets me keep in touch with long distant friends and family)
16. My cell phone
17. Life lessons that have brought me here today
18. My home (it isn't exactly what I want but it keeps us warm in winter & protected in summer)
19. My mini-van (I can transport all my at home kids at once)
20. My LIFE! It is amazing and blessed!

And my God

will meet all your needs

according to his glorious riches

in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

Home

Food

Friends and Family

Thank you, Lord, for the sounds and sights of summer. For the lush forests, the still ponds, and the meandering creeks. For full sun and cooling shade. Thank you for gardens, butterflies, and scampering chipmunks. For the laughter of children, ice cold water, and a refreshing breeze. Amen.


― Patsy Clairmont
 
I couldn't agree more!!!!!