There are these little places within me that often feel discontent. Or critical. Or whiney. And I am beginning to realize that I need to focus way more on being thankful than I do. It's like a new skill I have to work on. And practice over and over.
" The secret to having it all.......is knowing that you already do."
Isn't that a great statement? I read it on a blog several weeks ago and loved it so much I put it in the notes section of my iphone to remember to share it with you. I also, am currently in the midst of reading a book called " One Thousand Gifts." In the book the author says this......,
" Today, when stress mounts, I pray to dismount it with gratitude. I can only feel one feeling at a time, and I choose to give thanks at all times. Fight feeling with feeling!" (Ann Voskamp)
I love that quote too. Why oh why, do I let complaining sometimes rule a part of my heart? Or stress dominate my body? I know that God knew this would be a problem in our hearts, and that's why He tells us to be thankful over and over through the scriptures. I have a ways to go on this .
I have a little book I am reading to my girls every morning at breakfast called " Give Thanks". It has little prayers for everyday blessings in it, about all the mundane things in life that we do ( like waking up on a Monday, or taking the trash out, or making your bed, etc.)......and turning those things into a thankful prayer. I am asking the girls to "stretch" their answers when I ask the question " what are you thankful for?" It's been sweet watching them come up with things other than the usual ( My family, friends, bed etc. ), like......" books for learning", or "ears to hear and eyes that see". I am choosing to do my verse from October again this month.
2 Chronicles 23:30
"......to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord and likewise at evening......".
If you could see into my thought life, you'd either relate to me......or gulp,...... be embarrassed for me in the times I am "complainey". I have so much more growing to do in this area. " Oh Lord, help me to become a thankful girl in the midst of whatever comes my way throughout my day. Let my heart be full of gratitude that comes from You." When you post your verse.........want to share some things you are thankful for? I know I am thankful for you, my girlfirends!
Barby
ReplyDelete" 2 Chronicles 23:30
" .....to stand every morning to Thank and Praise The Lord, and likewise in the evening."
loved this verse so much ......I really loved it. I am now setting my phone to go off twice a day to remind me to stop and thank Him. Here are a few things i am thankful for: My family, and you ladies.....who post on here with me. You are all special friends, I wish you could meet each other! You'd all "fall in love"! I am thankful today too, for a zillion sunny and warm days in a row out here in California cause too soon the cooler days with fog will roll in and I don't want to take this sunshine for granted!
From Robin: Your comments really hit home with me Barbie, especially the word you used "complainey." There is so much to thank Him for, but oh I often find myself being complainey. I am so thankful for His goodness and mercy in my life, I am thankful that my husband is only 15 minutes from work now instead of 90 minutes, I am thankful for every day God blesses us with, and most of all I am thankful that we are one in Him.
ReplyDeleteMy verse this month is also about being thankful; Psalm 118:1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
Today God is truly blessing me because I can actually post something...if only I understood why most the times I can't. That's the past today I am "grateful" for Google letting me in!
ReplyDeleteMy verse is just simple instruction, what is hard is obeying it when we don't like our "circumstances". It's His will...it's that simple!
"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus"
1 Thessalonians 5:18
I love you Lord with all my heart and truly desire to give you thanks in ALL circumstances! For You Lord are worthy!!! Above all else..I give you praise!
Nancy
Keep the "Son" in your eyes!
I'm thankful for family, friends, colors of fall, football (sometimes) God's word and especially for my savior.
ReplyDelete"Enter His courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever, his faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalm 100: 4-5