These Moments Are a Few of My Favorite Things

It is isn't the money in my wallet or the car I drive or home I live in. It isn't the TV show that made me laugh or the movie I saw that inspired me. Nothing can compare with the priceless gratitude moments that represent my favorite things.

I was thrilled to have my children and grandchildren (except for my "big" grands, Braden, Ruth (who had to work) and Barrett who couldn't make it here, to my home for our traditional Thanksgiving meal and time together. I was never in a panic mode, but, thanks be to God, I was relaxed, steady, motivated and excited to prepare the "grand" meal for those I love so much. It brought so much joy to my heart for us to sit around the table and talk about all the many blessings in our lives. Indeed, these moments are a few of my favorite things.

Ryan and Shawntel stay at my home, and their boys stay at the Wallace’s home so that the cousins can hang together. I love their love for each other, though Payton, age 17 and Alexia, age 16, are the older cousins of Brennan, age 13, and Bryson, age 11. Payton plays with them like he was their age and Alexia is like a little mother to Bryson -- cuddling and loving on him. Yes, this is another of my favorite things.

Yesterday morning, Ryan, Shawntel and I sat at my dining room table – enjoying our delicious breakfast burritos that dear Neicey made for us. I realized I was sitting in a different chair than I typically sit in. I usually face my living area but, this day I sat in the opposite chair and I saw a red berry bush outside my window that I never realized was a "red berry" bush. I had a new perspective and a new little “Thank you, God!” moment. Those moments are a few of my favorite things.

The two sets of parents had their private time together. I love seeing my grown children relating and encouraging each other in such peace and harmony. This is another one of my favorite things. I took the grandchildren up to the pickle ball and bocce ball courts where they played for hours. We came back to my house and they wanted “Nana’s sippy cups (Yes, I still have the sippy cups from their younger years that they still want to drink chocolate milk out of). Alexia and Bryson wanted me to pull out my Lincoln Logs (Yes, I still keep a few of their favorite “Nana and Papa” toys). Years ago, when they were all so small, Papa insisted on getting Lincoln Logs for the grandkids that stayed at our home. He handcrafted a thin board that he painted roads and rivers on for the set up of the logs. Those memories and these moments are among my favorites things.

I’m sure you’ve read enough of my "favorite things" moments, and I think you "get my drift". We live in such motion and speed. We get up early and go to bed late and have no time to savor "the moments". Do we want our epitaph to read "She/He was always on the go -- but she/he went nowhere!" When we are clear on what matters most in our lives, life will become so meaningful and joyful. What matters most is God's sweet moments -- those heaven to earth moments.

A lot of folks talk about wanting an “experience” as if it's going to come in the future. Yet what could be a more beautiful experience than THIS moment, right now? Though their Mom and Dad had to go home yesterday, the two boys talked their Mom and Dad into letting them stay over in Frisco until Sunday night, because Ryan’s associate, who lives in Southlake (a community just miles from here) is heading to Austin and can take them home. These are all "sweet surprise" moments that represent my favorite things.

This moment right now is beautiful and marvelous, and I’m in full appreciation of it. Who knows what the next moment will bring? Who cares? I’m here now having a glorious experience in this precious moment. Indeed these moments ARE among MY FAVORITE THINGS.

Surprise! We've Got White Stuff

Day 76 of Photo Inspirations -- SURPRISE!   We've Got White Stuff!
And, thankfully, that white stuff isn't more snow -- it's our beautiful Tulsa Dogwoods in bloom.    I'll admit it!   I'm quite excited about this "white stuff" -- even as excited as I was for the snowy "white stuff" here just a couple of weeks ago. How soon the weather can change in Oklahoma. Monday, it was in the 80's -- today, the 50's. Actually, the inconsistent weather is one of the reasons why I love it here. Each new day can be full of surprises!

Speaking of surprises, I'm reading Mark Batterson's "Draw the Circle" 40-Day Devotional book and he says this: “But God always has a holy surprise up His sovereign sleeve. And when we pray, God throws surprise parties!” And it's so true. If we'll trace it back, every blessing or divine appointment or miracle that comes our way was a "set-up" by God.....because we prayed about it and just really expected that one day we'd witness His perfect timing for answering that prayer. God's Word backs this up...."You have not, because you ask not" - James 4:2. He wants to hear from us, and taking a time out for a little talk with Him is what matters to Him.

I can recount so many surprises (an unexpected check in the mail, an unexpected encounter with someone that led to great opportunity, being given something for FREE instead of having to pay for it, winning a trip, being given a car, someone showing up at our door wanting to buy one of our properties NOW, being the winner of a raffle, having a debt PAID IN FULL -- unexpectantly -- all surprises. And when one of those surprises shows up, I often look up to heaven and say, "You did that, didn't YOU? I live in the FOG -- Favor of God. Is it because I'm better, more favored or blessed than anyone else?  Heavens no!   I simply live prayerfully, and in an "expectant" mode that "Something good is going to happen to me today!"   I'malways on the look-out for God's surprises!  

My surprise blessing yesterday was driving through town and seeing all of those beautiful Dogwoods in bloom. It's nearly Spring and new life is starting to show itself, and surprise us.  And,  the all-time greatest surprise?   Resurrection Sunday will soon be here when we celebrate the ORIGINAL SURPRISER showing up ALIVE AND WELL!

We are No Surprise to God

Did you know that you, and your circumstances, are no surprise to God? It took me a while to get that, but, now that I know that, it's how I roll these days. Maybe it's a pain in a place where we never had a pain before, a flat tire, a friend's call for help, an unexpected bill, a disappointing phone call, a job loss, a leaky faucet, and so many other "surprises" that may interrupt our day -- though it may be a jolt to OUR plans, it's not a jolt to God's plans. And here's the consolation.....the "knowing" that whatever comes our way, and whatever we may encounter, God's got this. In fact, He knew about it before it got to us....and guess what? He knows how it's all going to turn out.....and, in fact, He has special plans for turning it for our good. What a relief that is! And, He sure surprises me with His favors.....but I just can't "one up Him" -- I can never surprise Him. "We know that God causes EVERYTHING to work together for the good of those who love God, and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:28