Thanksgiving Starts With “Thank You”!

Happy Thanksgiving to All of My Wonderful Facebook Friends and Family. THANK YOU for your encouragement to me and being a bright light that brightens our world with God’s love.

The turkey will soon be in the oven and all the other delicacies will be readied that go along with my family's celebration of this wonderful holiday. THANK YOU, God, for my family! Notice I'm capitalizing "THANK YOU" today! As a child, did you get a tap on your shoulder by a parent when you received a gift, and you heard them whisper "Say, thank you!" Were you one of those parents that had to remind your children to say “Thank you”? Oh, but what pride and joy our parents had when they heard us and we heard our children, out of grateful hearts say "THANK YOU!"....and meant it! I challenge you to think of two more beautiful words.

It’s easy for all of us to breeze through life without stopping to say "Thank you." Whether we’re facing a clerk at the store, a restaurant employee or family member, we can move on quickly instead of pausing to give thanks and show appreciation.

Apparently people moved along quickly in the Bible, too. Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem when ten men, who had leprosy standing far away, called out to Him for mercy. He told them to go and show themselves to the priests. he priest was the one who could issue a life-giving letter of release that indicated they were disease-free and could return to their homes and public life. As they obeyed Jesus’ orders to go, they were healed of their leprosy. Imagine their joy as they saw their skin repair itself and look like new again -- impossible apart from God’s power!

But, only one of the 10 returned and thanked Jesus: “when he saw he was healed, he came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him — and he was a Samaritan” (Luke 17:15-16). Jesus completely and wonderfully changed 10 lives, but only one came back to say “thank you”.

The nine Jewish men didn’t return to acknowledge the Giver. The most unlikely to return — the Samaritan who knew the least about God — was the one to receive not only a physical healing, but a spiritual one. Jesus said to him in verse 19, “Rise and go; your faith has made you whole.” The power of God cleansed him outwardly in his body AND cleansed him inwardly from sin when he returned to give thanks. Gratitude paved the way for a double blessing: healing for body and soul.

Gratitude also paves the way to blessing in our bodies and souls.
As we celebrate this national day of Thanksgiving, may we learn from those 10 men. May we purposely pause, look that one in the eyes who served us, gave us of themselves in some way or blessed us with something -- and say “THANK YOU!”

Most of all may we ask God for forgiveness for not saying “Thank You.” May we repent of focusing on the things we don’t have, instead of the blessings He has given us. May we be like the one who returned to express gratitude. Thank you, Father God, for saving us, forgiving us, and providing for our needs each day! Thank YOU, Lord, for your goodness and mercy that follows us all the days of our lives. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

Blessed to be a Blessing

Happy Thanksgiving! Let me start out by saying “I’m so thankful for YOU!” I’m so thankful you’re my friend, family member or casual acquaintance, but the fact that you stop by my FB post sometimes, humbles me, yet encourages me to keep on doing what I know God called me to do. THANK YOU for your love!

I'm so thankful…..PERIOD. All except my two oldest grandsons and sweet Ruth, my family will be with me in Frisco today. Though Thanksgiving looks different for me this year – no usual preparations at my home, we’re together in Staci’s big home where everyone has a bed – no blow up mattresses needed this year. No “indoor camping”. There is just no way to complain or wish for the "good ole' days" when my Sweetheart and I welcomed the family home. There is so much to be thankful for THIS YEAR – THIS DAY!! We are so blessed.

And, BLESSED, is the operative word -- not, "lucky" or "fortunate" or "deserved" or "privileged". We ARE BLESSED! And we are blessed -- to be a BLESSING! We can't just simply say "THANK YOU", and go on our way. We MUST do something about those blessings. In fact, we're held accountable for them. Luke 12:48 says ".......when someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required."

There is responsibility that comes with blessings. Actually, it becomes a cycle of blessings, because we see in Proverbs 11:25, "The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped." It's that "give and it shall be given", law of reciprocity....that just keeps on giving.

So, on this beautiful Thanksgiving Day, with sincere thanks and gratitude, may we remember that we are blessed to bless; gifted to give; forgiven to forgive; loved to love.

It's Just a Photo.....Or Is It?

Day 331 of Photo Inspirations -- It's JUST a Photo....Or is it?
#TBT -- Throwback Thursday and Throwback Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving!  I'm not sure it's that my childhood memories are so vague, or that this season of the year holds SO MANY memories with my children and grandchildren, or that there are so many precious times in this season that I'm in right now, but I can't resist seizing moments and making memories.

For as long as I can remember, getting my annual family photo has been a MUST, much to the chagrin of my children and grandchildren.  This maximum 30 minutes of this on-task photo shoot for Nana, has not come without the usual chaotic moments of determining what to wear, when we can make our schedules work, and strategically finding THAT PERFECT spot where the photos should be taken, and then just getting everyone to give a decent smile.  Me:  "If you would just give me a sweet smile, this would be over.  Please stop making faces.  Please look at the camera.  Please stop talking.  Please stand up straight!"  I know, you know the drill.

I laughed last week, when I saw sweet Jennifer Gooden's post about their recent family photo shoot adventure (with 4 children under the age of 5). What memories it brought back to me.  With all she went through, her final analysis was  "The truth is, family photos (especially what we are wearing in them) are not that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things. But they are something I treasure.

Something I love to see all around my home. God knows my heart. He knows how much I love beautiful photos of my children growing each year. He knew months before our photo shoot that I would need His help. And with His help, we had a great time together!  So I am sure as you look at our photos this year, you see our family laughing, smiling, dressed nicely, and our sweet Natalie all dressed up. Well now you know the truth. The baby was almost photographed in a stained onesie and cream colored tights. But then God stepped in......"   (Thank you, Jennifer, for the reality check -- what's really behind those picture-perfect photos!)

And this first photo inspiration taken in 2007 at Ryan & Shawntel's home in Raleigh, NC was not without similar moments of chaos.  And, neither were the ones taken yesterday.  It was misting outside.  We were losing daylight.  Trying to hustle the kids in to get ready. Part of the family didn't even arrive in town until the last minute. And, the location?  Settled on just a photo in front of my home -- no fanfare.  Just click the photo, sweet Denise Gerrich, who always comes through as my photographer.  But I assure you, like Jennifer said, "In the grand scheme of things, family photos are certainly not what matters most" -- but, speaking from my heart, this Mama/Nana, it certainly comes in at a close 2nd -- especially once those babies are out on their own.....and the remembering is some of your sweetest joys!"

The family that captures memories together......STAYS TOGETHER....in love, in support, in encouragement, and in MEMORIES!   Missing having my oldest grandson and his little fiance in the pics this year -- but, no problem, just expect many, many wedding photos with them next year!  Now, go make some memories on this beautiful Thanksgiving Day!