Being Contented in Whatever State, City or Home We’re In

I loved it when we went around our Thanksgiving table sharing what we are grateful for, especially when we all spoke of people – not things – the things money can’t buy. Thanksgiving usually brings families "home". "Home' isn't necessarily the brick and mortar of the home we live in. For example, my oldest two grandsons and Ruthie (Braden’s wife) couldn't make it "home" to us this year. They were “home” with friends and family in Tennessee. I've realized "home" is where I am at the time. Home is Austin, Frisco, Tulsa and anything in between where I seem to "light". Home is family, friends, our church, the places where "contentment” abounds.

Before coming to us on Friday, Ryan, Shawntel, and the two younger boys traveled to Tulsa to see Granny for a couple of hours. Granny is my husband's Mom, and at 97 everyone wants to see her again – just in case. We just don't know if it could be the last time, so spending time with her is so important. Contentment in what matters most.

Then they headed to Spiro, OK, where Shawntel’s grandmother lives and where they eat outdoors to accommodate all of them. I love this year's photo of their big family gathering of 67 family members. It was pouring down rain so Grandma’s church opened their doors for them. I loved seeing them "home" with their precious grandmother – not at her home as usual, but her church “home”. Contentment.

At last my gang made their way to Frisco on Friday where we all sat around my table with added leaves, carrying on great conversation before starting to play a new game called “Chamaeleon” (I highly recommend it – so much fun). I held yet another treasure hunt for my Bryson’s 13th birthday celebration. My traditional day-after-Thanksgiving Waikiki meatballs were served with all the trimmings. Then on Saturday, we had our traditional breakfast at Larry and Staci’s, then our annual Thanksgiving movie. This year it was “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” (Mr. Roger’s story with Tom Hanks). It was a movie we older kids can wrap our minds around about what “nice guy” looks like. It would serve us all well to be reminded how we should be in this age of so many not-so-nice-guys-and-gals. Then it was our "traditional" day-after-Thanksgiving dinner -- Mexican food. Our time together at Thanksgiving has always included my annual family photo being taken. It’s a must-do and though it was raining outside – my little home was the spot of contentment. Contentment in embracing family.

It won't be long before all these grandkids will be grown up with families of their own. Yes, I'm so grateful for the blessings of “contentment”. The greatest blessings on earth come without a price tag.

My buddy, the Apostle Paul, inspired another blog today as a read: “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever state I am in to be content.” Philippians 4:11

This is the time for counting our blessings and in finding contentment in all those things that money can’t buy. It means learning to live our lives as if everything were a miracle, and being aware on a continuous basis of how much we've been given. Contentment shifts our focus from what our life lacks to the abundance of what we already have. Maybe, the best prescription we could take to dispel the common "woe-is-me" attitude is to be contented with what we have.

We just might be re-energized, have new vitality and excitement for this beautiful life in the neighborhood and our beautiful life in Christ our Savior. Our lives are made up of far more beauty than what we realize. I had many “contented” moments over the last several days. We celebrated so many blessings of this year – so many that were all about life’s treasures – each other. I am contented.

Thanksgiving? Advent? Christmas? Bah Humbug!!

I’m still in the thanks-giving and gratitude-living afterglow. BTW, I’ve loved seeing your Thanksgiving family photos. Beautiful families. Incredible displays of tables set with perfection. But, you may be one saying “Pleassse, no more Thanksgiving talk! No more cozy family photos.” I know not everyone can join the thanks-giving bandwagon!

You may be one not-so-invested in the holidays when it seems everyone else gets their holly-jolly-selves on! They're cheerful, happy, all caught up in their blessing moods while you are in the middle of bailing water out of your boat. You’re holding your breath that one more thing doesn’t capsize your boat and you go under. You may be one who dreads this time of the year as it holds so many memories past and you’re so very lonely. Or it is the season that reminds you that you don’t have very much or nothing at all to buy gifts for others – though you’re a “giver” and it breaks your heart that you can’t give.

I know not everyone is able to get into the “It’s the most wonderful time of the year” singing, dancing and ringing jingle bells or dreaming of a white Christmas. Your hope has been lost from the heaviness of the weight you are carrying. I know that because I know what those weights look and feel like. I’ve been there. Even as I type this blog today, I’m thinking of some dear family members and friends who are carrying, what seem to be, enormous weights of hopelessness.

Here comes the lessons we learn again from Paul the Apostle who had the right to tell us what gratitude and hope looks like because he sure knew heavy weights. He said: “We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Hope does not disappoint us, because God poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, Whom He has given us.” Romans 5:2-5

We can be thankful, even in hardship, because our future is based on God’s love, not on our present situation. We may experience temporary hardships but they all came TO PASS. The phrase “it came to pass” occurs again and again in the Old Testament. “It came to pass” describes events in history and even our own experiences. “It came to pass” reminds us that these tough times are soon over; they come, but they "come to pass." We may not always realize it, but it is always true. I know this scripture is true – I lived it. "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." (Psalm 30:5) Some of those nights were long, long nights, but they came to pass and they did pass. Wounds heal. Heartbreak mends. Tears cease. A new day dawns. A new sunrise dispels the darkness. Despair loses its hold. Grief is replaced with hope. It came to pass.

Being positive and faith-filled takes discipline. Can I hear a big “AMEN”? We can do this. Gratitude is in us. Let’s not waste this season with worry. Let’s not live in regret. Let’s not miss out on THIS day that He made with you and me in mind. Because this day – came to pass. We’ll never get this day back. And this Advent and Christmas will never come again. This is our opportunity to look up with hope and expectation that something good is about to happen. As we embrace the journey of a young, courageous girl and a supportive, noble man to the town of Bethlehem, may we too, take a journey of faith and hope that “Joy to the World” and joy to you and me dispels the darkness around us and the brightness of the Star of Bethlehem brightens our own little world with hope and joy. Isn’t it worth the effort to take the journey that might change everything?

“This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

You Have Permission....to be Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving! I’m so thankful for you! I can't overstate how much my social media family means to me. I am so grateful that you read my blogs. I know that God gave me this platform to celebrate Him and all that knowing Him affords: peace, comfort, joy, zest for life, faith, hope, and untold blessings. I'm glad we're a part of God's great, big family. And, now for what my heart is leading me to say……

I love this day so much -- the fall weather, the yummy food, warm smells coming from the kitchen and the house bustling with my people. Still, I can’t ignore the quiet rumblings of hearts on days like today. Maybe that’s you. You may feel overwhelmed. Or forgotten. You may feel out of place. You may feel stressed and frustrated. You may feel disappointed or anxious with worry. Or just incredibly lonely.

In a world filled with social media posts with “perfect families” as the featured photo, it can feel like an empty place for hurting hearts. But, let's not go there. Let's flip that nagging heart around, because of Who we are and Whose we are! Today is about giving thanks. It is a day for us to give thanks for the things that really matter: the inner peace that settles us when we are afraid. The inner calm that rises above obstacles and calls us to be brave. The inner voice that steadies us when the world crashes around us. We give thanks for the countless blessings we receive in spite of the odds against us. We give thanks for a Creator who sees us, knows us and accepts us just as we are – even when we feel lost on days like today.

That is the beauty of today. I hope you are at a table with those you are proud to call your own. But, if you find yourself at a table that isn’t a “comfort zone” – embrace the opportunity that you are there – making a difference because you are loved by God and you get to be His representative at that table. Smile and breathe. Connect with that inner voice of God that says “You are enough! You are so very loved. You are beautiful. You are worthy. You are brave!” Remind yourself of the ONE Who is right there with you and Who makes your family of plenty or your family of one, so very loved.

You have permission to be exactly who you are and to be reminded that that is enough. Allow the servant part of you to open your arms and serve. Hmmm! I wonder who that sounds like – it was Jesus Who sat in a room of lovers and haters, some deniers, some rejecters. Serving doesn’t feel like a burden at all – instead it’s something we naturally long to do, where the act of giving becomes a natural expression of our heart.

Whatever your table looks like, I promise there is no obligation greater than the one you have to yourself: to be sure you realize how loved you are. You are worthy of being seen and known. You are worthy of being fought for. Be thankful you are loved by the One Who loves you most. I love you and I pray this is a Thanksgiving in your heart and soul – like none ever before.

Can You Spare a Little Change?

Play on words. Not really the spare change found in our pockets or purse -- but the changing of seasons that we may be going through in our personal and family's lives. In Texas, we get four distinctive seasons. Sometimes, more or less distinctive but I enjoy the change in creation and the cooler weather Fall brings. We may not have white Christmases, but we can enjoy lighted snowmen in our yards. I’ll admit, I do miss a little of that ton of snow in Canada's Winter Wonderland.

Once upon a time, I changed the decor of my home at the turn of every season. I’d get rid of the old so we could embrace the new. In my quest to declutter, my seasonal décor is now driven by a "less is more" mentality. The Bible says there is a season for everything in life (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). If only we could embrace the seasons of our lives as willingly as we embrace the seasons of the year. But we tend to resist change that goes outside our comfort zones.

God planned the seasons of our lives with infinite wisdom. He ordained each one, knowing exactly what fruit is to be harvested during each time frame. I believe that since His desire is to do us only good, He plans each season for us. So why are we prone to resist the season we’re in? When it’s summer, we want fall. When it’s winter, we want summer. When we are single, we want to be married. When we are married, we want children. When we have children, we want them to be grown and out of the house. When the nest is finally empty, we miss them and want them back -- at least occasionally! 😁

We are so like the children of Israel. They murmured and complained and kept demanding more. God brought them out of 400 years of slavery, gave them rest from their enemies, and provided daily food, water and protection. But no matter what He did, it wasn’t enough. They refused to place their total dependence on God whose plans were for their good (Jeremiah 29:11). So, an entire generation perished before seeing their promised inheritance. The wilderness journey was not a picnic. It was an adventure into the unknown, and it was a change of season for an entire nation. But the Lord knew the way through the wilderness, just as He knows the way through ours.

God ushers in the seasons in our lives and walks us through them. He desires that we embrace what He is doing in our lives with faith and gratitude. During the season of planting, when there is no harvest, God is watering, nurturing, and fertilizing us so that in due season we can bring forth the fruit He desires. Then, after harvest, it's a time of pruning. Ouch! As painful as it may be, God knows how good it is for us so we'll produce more fruit. We can trust God to do whatever He needs to do in our lives today because of His proven faithfulness yesterday

Tomorrow begins Thanksgiving week, the time to count our blessings and enjoy, as God does, this season right now. Every day is a gift so let's savor all the sights, sounds, smells, family, friendships, fellowship, food and fun of the season. God, in His infinite wisdom, planned our lives and leads us through many fruitful seasons. Instead of wishing we were in a different one, may we be grateful and embrace THIS ONE!

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

Gratitude Lifts Our Attitude

On Wednesday, this picture and a message from FB was posted on my timeline. Seems this was the first photo I ever uploaded from my phone to FB. Obviously, I was in the gratitude mode at this time back then. I hope I never change!

It is a product of our upbringing and circumstances that we are "by nature" either complainers or praisers. Most people would agree that we have a lot to be grateful for. After all, most of us live a lifestyle of conveniences -- comfortable homes, nice clothes, reliable transportation, no shortage of clean water or healthy food. We have access to quality healthcare and education, and basically live a good life with freedom, in safety and security.

It’s easy to take these wonderful blessings for granted and sometimes get into the bad habit of focusing on what we don’t have while millions of people around the world live without the basic necessities of life. I remember our missions trips to South Africa, Belize and Mexico, visiting those who lived in small huts and cardboard dwellings with a minimum of conveniences and witnessing children digging for food and anything worth selling in a city dump. Lord, may I remember them, especially when I even start to complain about ANYTHING!

Just think about the blessings we often overlook -- like getting dressed on our own, driving to work, going to the grocery store, sending emails and text messages, and hundreds of other routine activities of life. It’s where the majority of our time goes, so why not learn to show gratitude for them? Choosing an attitude of gratitude not only honors God…it’s good for us!
No matter what, it's possible to BECOME grateful -- even if it's not our natural "bent", but it does take discipline. It takes practice and doing it over and over again. The reality is that a grateful heart will make way for finding the good in EVERYTHING we encounter. Best of all, it opens the door for blessings. We just have to replace complaints and fault finding, with praise and thanksgiving. I love Nancie Carmody's thought-provoking words that turn complaining to thanksgiving:
I AM THANKFUL
...for the mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.
...for.the taxes I pay because it means that I'm employed.
...for the clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.
...for my shadow who watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine.
...for a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.
...for the spot I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking.
...for my huge heating bill because it means I am warm.
...for all the complaining I hear about our government because it means we have freedom of speech.
...for the lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means that I can hear.
...for the piles of laundry and ironing because it means my loved ones are nearby.
...for the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means that I'm alive.
...for weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I have been productive.
-- Nancie J. Carmody

Oh, how blessed we are! Thank You, Heavenly Father, for the blessings of You, my friends and family and all the many, many reasons you've given me to be grateful today!

If You Can’t Lick ‘Em – Join ‘Em

It's been "beginning to look a lot like Christmas" for months now. The big box stores have been touting us with their holiday wares since before Spring ended.This year I’m noticing even more folks skipping right over Thanksgiving and putting up their Christmas trees, house lights and decorations. Their home covered in a blanket of snow was all one of my friends needed to get her home all decorated with Christmas. One of the young volunteers who works with me at Children’s Hospital, along with her sister, put up their Christmas tree, fully decorated, while their mom was at work – completely against their mom’s desire to wait until after Thanksgiving.

Time for confession. I caved. Seems I’m still nostalgic with remembering nine years ago when I decorated our home for Christmas before Thanksgiving just before my husband passed away. I had never done that before and never since, but this year I can’t help myself. I've got a mishmosh going on -- Thanksgiving décor mixed with Christmas décor. My family will be getting two great celebration seasons rolled into one when they come in for Thanksgiving next week.

I was amused hearing some folks complaining about the early sales of Christmas decorations and hearing Christmas music playing since back in September. I understand retail stores want their bottom lines increased so they amp it up to get us into the "buying" frenzy way before the Christmas season. I can’t fault them for that. In order to vacate those shelves as quickly as possible, there are already 50% off sales.

Most of us want to embrace each season and make it as memorable as we can. We want to savor Fall with the leaves changing colors, pumpkin spice aromas and coffee, autumn décor. We want to remember the first Thanksgiving and the pilgrims and we want to make the Fall season special and meaningful. But, what's the big deal? Why should it matter when people begin to celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas? What matters is that we open our hearts and our homes to gratitude at Thanksgiving and to the joys, delights, and celebrations of Christmas. Actually, both seasons could easily be merged together as one. So, here I am -- on board the early Christmas train!

Both of these beautiful seasons tend to make us more thankful, kinder, and expressing gratitude for God's blessings and for celebrating Christ’s birth. Joy to the world; the Lord has come. It really is the most wonderful time of the year. I’m already allowing myself to get caught up in the miraculous Christmas story as I set out my many manger and Holy Family scenes. And, as I’m embracing and pondering all that Christmas means, when my family is together here in Frisco next week, this mode of thanksgiving, will simply open the door for all the joys and beauty of Christmas.

I've honed into this beautiful journey that will lead to the most Holy Day when our Savior was born – and, it would have been okay if I started way back in July! After all, it’s more than a season or a day. It's our reason for unspeakable joy, indescribable love, and amazing sacrifice – that the ONE Who placed the stars in the sky and Who knows them all by name -- chose to come to this earth as a little baby to be with me, understand me, live in this world like me. He totally gets me and my frailties, but better yet, He is my all powerful, incomparable, awesome and amazing God. That's plenty reason to celebrate all read round! So, the next time we're tempted to complain about "too early", let's turn that around and welcome the reminder to thank God for the Reason for the season. It’s just too great a story to compact it into only one celebration.

10,000 Reasons

Yesterday morning I woke up singing “Bless the Lord, oh my soul. Oh, my soul. Worship His Holy Name. Sing like never before, oh my soul, I worship Your Holy Name!” That song's title is “10,000 Reasons” by Matt Redman. What a way to wake up – blessing and worshipping God’s Holy Name! Immediately I knew this would be the topic for my post for today.

Among my 10,000 reasons to be thankful, I must share with you what happened shortly after I typed this post at about 8 am yesterday. I heard the garbage truck (Thank you, God, I can hear!)! I thought: “Yikes! I didn’t think they’d come today since the holiday was last week!” I ran out the front door to catch them, but too late! I noticed they hadn’t picked up the other side of the street so I quickly ran and pushed my packed-full-of- Thanksgiving garbage bin to my neighbor's side of the street (Thank you, God, for our wonderful Thanksgiving meals!). But then I thought they’d question two bins, so I quickly got in my car (Thank you, God, for my car!) and drove to let them know! Came back home (Thank you, God, for my home!) and pushed the garage remote and NADA! Thank you, God, that I had my door key in hand. I ran into the house and garage and saw the big chain had fallen from the motor. I quickly called my Home Warranty company (Thank you, God, that I purchased a Home Warranty!) and placed the repair with them and they showed up last night to already have it repaired and working great! Thank you, God, because that means only a $45 repair fee! Now, I have more than 10,000 reasons to "Bless the Lord, oh my soul!"

I’m quite sure that whole scenario was why I woke singing that song because God was prepping me for my sudden-out-of-the-blue trash and garage door encounters.

“Bless the Lord, oh my soul” were King David's words as he was commanding his soul (his will, mind, and emotions) to bless the Lord. He was encouraging himself with what he needed to do to rise above his circumstances. Those words from Psalm 103 were Matt Redman’s inspiration for this song. In that chapter, David listed several reasons why his heart was full of worship for God: He forgives our sins, heals our diseases, redeems our lives from the pit, crowns us with love and compassion, satisfies our desires and gives righteousness and justice.

I googled Matt Redman and this song, and read what he said to explain it. “If you wake up one morning and you cannot think of a reason to bring God some kind of offering of thanks or praise, then you can be sure there's something wrong at your end of the pipeline, and not His. We live beneath an unceasing flow of goodness, kindness, greatness, and holiness, and every day we're given reason after reason why Jesus is so completely and utterly worthy of our highest and best devotion."

I realize we are one week past Thanksgiving today and it would seem that I’ve posted enough about gratitude and thanksgiving, but for “10,000 reasons” and so many more, I was reminded that putting gratitude as my #1 priority, sure keeps us in a gratitude mode -- even when things aren't going the way we had hoped them to go. Gratitude opens the floodgates to so many more reasons to be thankful -- even when a garage door goes haywire! I’m purposing to follow David’s lead in Psalm 103 to talk to my soul more so my "Reasons List" continue to grow in "blessing His Holy Name". How about you?

The Little Things Can Mean So Much

When itemizing those things we are grateful for, we'll often list things that money affords, like our home, car, food, clothes, electronics, and those things that add to our comfort. Since my washer and dryer are 25+ years old, I thank God each time I get my washing and drying done, But this Thanksgiving week, my gratitude goes way beyond the big “things”. I've come to realize that the little things, that money can't buy, mean so much!

Thanksgiving usually brings families "home". "Home" isn't necessarily the brick and mortar of the home we live in. For example, my oldest grandson and wife, and 2nd oldest grandson didn’t make it to Frisco this year and that’s okay. They were “home” where they were. I've realized "home" is WHERE I AM at the time. Home is Austin, Frisco, Tulsa and anything in between where I "light". Home is family, friends, church, the places where "the little things" are really the big things.

My Frisco family and I and an invited guest had our traditional Thanksgiving meal and celebration on Thursday. My "Austin" family, on their way to Muldrow, OK to celebrate Thanksgiving with Shawntel's family, detoured to Tulsa to see Granny for a couple of hours. Granny is my husband's Mom, and at 96, though she's still sharp-as-a-tack and moving about, we just don't know if it could be the last time, so spending time with her is so important. It’s the little things that mean so much.

Then they traveled to spend time with Shawntel's family where 54 family members gathered at her precious 90-year old grandmother’s home for their traditional Thanksgiving meal and celebration. The little things that are really huge things to a sweet grandmother. Then, they made their way to Frisco where I had Bryson's "traditional" scavenger hunt ready for his birthday that was on November 17th. The four cousins helped him decipher the clues and find the treasure. Yesterday’s hunt won treasures for all of them – including the wax lips. LOL! My traditional day-after-Thanksgiving Waikiki meatballs were on the menu. Today, we’re heading to the Wallace’s for breakfast of huevos rancheros then we'll go to a movie -- another family tradition. We'll have our traditional Mexican food for lunch. It’s the little things that mean so much.

Thanksgiving traditions always included my annual family photo being taken. It was a must do that everyone tolerated and because it meant so much to me -- they always complied. I was excited that my big milestone birthday in August meant I could let the family off the hook for another photo. But, my two sweet girls, without my usual need-to-plead, wrangled up everyone for a quick Thanksgiving photo. They know it’s the little things that mean so much to me.

It won't be long before all these grandkids will be grown up with families of their own, so I realize these little things, little traditions; little intentional, purposeful moments mean so much. Yes, I'm so grateful for the blessings of the simple, little things and family and friends that keep reminding me that the greatest blessings on earth come without a price tag.

How often is it that the BIG things are what stresses us out? Notice that the things that fill our hearts with warmth are things that we didn't have to look far to find. It means learning to live our lives as if everything were a miracle, and being aware of how much we've been given. Gratitude shifts our focus from what our life lacks, to the abundance of what we already have. Maybe, the best prescription we could take to dispel the common "woe-is-me" attitude is to offer thanksgiving for the "little things".

Is Jesus an Invited Guest at Your Table?

This day after Thanksgiving comes with relaxation for those that poured their hearts and souls into their grand Thanksgiving feast day – preparing for days, baking, cooking, cleaning up – with the best part that makes it all worth it, being so thankful to serve and embrace family time together. We had a special invited guest that joined our Frisco crew, a beautiful single mom that admitted she would be alone on Thanksgiving. Well, we weren’t about to let that happen, so this precious woman joined us. We held to our annual tradition as each one at the table shared what they were thankful for and I could almost see Jesus sitting with us at the table. Scripture says in Psalm 22:3 “God inhabits the praises of His people!” When we are thanking and praising our Lord, He takes a seat at the table with us.

The big day is past now, but I’m still basking in the joys of yesterday. Though Christmas is already in full swing with the hustle and bustle that Black Friday holds for so many, Black Friday will be glorious Friday for me as my Austin family will arrive (after having been with Shawntel’s family in Muldrow, OK) and we’ll have our “Good” Friday Thanksgiving together today. We’ll have more opportunities to give thanks and praises and welcome our Lord Jesus to the table with us.

Yesterday, my scripture reading was about Jesus weeping over Jerusalem because the people were missing Him so much. (Luke 19:41-42). He, their greatest gift, had been with them every day, talking with them, feeding them, teaching them, loving them. And they missed Him. They missed Him because He didn’t seem like anything or anyone special. He looked and talked like them. They didn’t fully understand (or agree with) what He said. Many knew Him from childhood. They knew who His parents were, where He grew up, and what He did for a living. Nothing special. Nothing impressive. Our Lord was among them and they didn’t notice Him.

And here’s a very important matter to consider: because every human person is created in the image and likeness of God, our Lord visits us in every human person we encounter. Every. Single. Person. Did you miss Him at your dinner table yesterday? You know, the one who served and waited on you after working for days on a meal that is consumed in a matter of minutes? Or did you miss Him in the one who sat at the table and might have been concerned and worried and couldn’t really get into the Thanksgiving conversation? Did you, by chance, get past “passing the sweet potatoes” to take a moment to put your arm around them because you saw Jesus in them. Oh, pray tell, you noticed Him. “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” Matthew 25:35

The closer we get to Jesus, the more we’ll recognize Him in both strangers and those who eat at the table with us. The more of Jesus in us actually makes us more aware of His presence in other people. If we truly deeply care about others, as Jesus cared about others, we’ll pattern our lives after Him and He will help us see Him in others and respond to their existence with profound thankfulness (even those who are hardest to love).

God is Good....All the Time. All the Time....God is Good.

Some years ago, the phrase "God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good" became popular. It was given in a call-and-response pattern. Our African Associate Pastor, in his beautiful African accent, begins every message he gives with “God is good!” And, he waits until we reply “All the time!” Then he says “All the time…..” And we reply, “God is good!” He also closes each of his messages with the same words. He is impressing upon us the goodness of God. And, since he came to us about five months ago, we have become more enthused as we raise our voices, with huge smiles on our faces and joyously declare those words. We love it, and we love him! And, you know what? The gooder (that really should be a word) God gets to us!

Yesterday morning I woke up with such gratitude and said “God, you’re so good to me!” Then that phrase came to my mind and as I was scrolling through my Facebook timeline, a friend posted this photo below. The message was coming through, loud and clear. In spite of everything going on in our lives -- the good, the bad and the ugly -- God is so good. It seemed God wanted me to remind us of that today!

I’m sure there are those who roll their eyes when they hear someone say that phrase – especially when they’re going through tough times. And, I’ll be honest with you, there are times when I’m thinking “What’s up with this or that, God?” and then when I say, “God, you're so good all the time", I am putting my faith and trust in Him. No doubt, there are those who look at us hands-waving, Bible-toting, energy-flailing, do-gooders and saying “God is good”, ask their selves “What nut tree did those nuts fall from?” And they may even ask “Why can’t I say that phrase as energetically as they do?”

An old song “Give Thanks” by Don Moen comes to my mind. The chorus goes “Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One, give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son." Those words may swirl in people’s heads because they question “How can I give thanks with a grateful heart when I am going through so much turmoil? And, the Holy One? “How could He be holy and allow so much evil and corruption to run rampant in this world we live in?” I can only imagine how hard it must be for those who don’t know God and sense His great love for them that they find it hard to focus on how holy He is, but that doesn’t change the fact that He IS holy. Despite anyone’s doubts, His love endures forever and He is so understanding of all of our human doubts.

May I suggest that those of us who say “God is good all the time” have captured the heart of God and it’s not because of all of His hand-outs to us? Even when we don’t have a grateful heart because things just aren’t going our way, we can still look at the holiness of our God. The fact remains that God loves us all the time despite the doubts we all have from time to time.

Maybe today you’re struggling with giving thanks with a grateful heart, and saying “God is good all the time”, then I urge you to turn your focus on the Holy One. If you’re unable to do that, then just remember that He has given His only Son for us, despite the fact that He knew we would have doubts in His holiness. Go ahead and be human. Be upset about all the bad stuff that is happening in life but remember God’s love for you will never leave you – in fact, it will endure forever. We can all be thankful for that. God is good. All the time. All the time. God is good!

"Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever." Psalm 136:26

Being Thankful When It Isn't Easy

In my post, yesterday, I welcomed this week of Thanksgiving. One day just isn’t enough for us to express our gratitude for God’s goodness and mercy for so many blessings. I know, however, Thanksgiving isn't always a joyous and thankful time for everyone. I know that life is going terribly wrong for some people who can’t think of even one thing for which to be thankful. They are hurting way too much. Oh, believe me, I have been in a wallow of self-pity before, and I know those feelings. Of course, we ALWAYS have something to be thankful for, but when we’re in a season of distress, it’s enough to get out of bed in the morning and to put one foot in front of the other.

I'm thinking about the California fires and those precious people who no longer have a home to go to; for those family members who lost their loved ones in the fires. Then there is the medical test that comes back positive. A spouse wants a divorce. A child is wayward. The mortgage company calls in the loan. God seems so far away, and thanksgiving and praise is the last thing to bubble up from our hearts. We can't see His goodness, and circumstances scream that He has forgotten us.

To praise and thank God in those times requires personal sacrifice. It takes an act of our will to let go of it all before a God we sometimes don't understand. When we bring a "sacrifice of praise," we choose to believe that, even though life is not going as we think it should, God is still good and He's up to something good and can be trusted. When we choose to praise God in spite of the storms, He is honored, and our faith grows deeper.

The Apostle Paul set such a good example for us. He wrote, “In everything give thanks.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18. How could he be thankful in everything, in imprisonments, in beatings, in, really, all kinds of adversity that most people would find tragic and unbearable? It is because Paul was a “pilgrim” of a different sort, one who trusted God to take care of him in the very best way. He didn’t say “Give thanks FOR all things”, but “give thanks IN all things”. “In spite of all this painful stuff, I give YOU thanks, Almighty God!" Today, I offer this prayer for all of us, no matter where we are in our heart and soul:

Lord, teach us to offer you a heart of thanksgiving and praise in all our daily experiences of life. You promised that you would be near to the brokenhearted. Please be near to us today, so much so, that we feel Your closeness and your warm embrace. St. Paul said, "Rejoice in the Lord always." Lord, there are times when it's so hard to rejoice, but help us to be joyful always, to pray continually and to give thanks IN all our circumstances. Help us to ALWAYS be able to find the good in whatever we're going through. May the power of the enemy be defeated in our lives through our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Please change our outlook and attitude into one of joyful thanksgiving for your goodness and mercy. We choose to continually offer You a sacrifice of praise. Teach us the power of a thankful heart. May this be our song every day: “I will give thanks to the LORD because of His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens” (Psalm 7:17-18:1). In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.

Our Thanksgiving Week Begins

Awww.....beautiful Thanksgiving Week -- the time we really focus on God's multiplied blessings to us. Though it's the mindset we should have all year through, this week we purposely hone in on what's most important to us. I'm in "game-on" mode for all that this week will hold.

But, before I go to that high energy "Martha" mode, I have to pause this morning, in these wee hours and settle into the "Mary" mode to reflect on the beauty of what this upcoming holiday is all about. First of all, I am so grateful that America continues to set apart a day each year for giving thanks. Whew! That's a close one! Aren't we so grateful that the "radicals" that keep trying to remove the values that our country was founded upon -- prayer, Christmas, "In God We Trust" and "The 10 Commandments" and other matters that exclude our Sovereign God, haven't been successful with removing Thanksgiving? And I think it's a double blessing that most of us still believe that Thanksgiving is a day for actually giving thanks to God, not just a time for feeling vaguely thankful while loading up on turkey and pumpkin pie, watching football AND perusing all the Black Friday ads!

May we not forget the heart of Thanksgiving. In fact, it may seem like a cliche, but I believe Thanksgiving should be a part of our DNA where that spirit of gratitude is at the very core of our lives. Just being grateful to wake up in a warm bed. In fact, being grateful we WOKE UP -- considering the alternative. Grateful to be vertical -- not horizontal. And, the list could go into pages for so many other blessings we have.

Thinking about this wonderful holiday, I did a little research on how it started. On October 3, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation inviting citizens of the United States to "set apart and observe the last Thursday of November, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise." His act established Thanksgiving as a national event. Thanksgiving that year was celebrated on November. 26, one week after Lincoln's trip to a small Pennsylvania town, where he memorialized the fallen in one of the Civil War's most critical and devastating battles. With bodies still lying unburied in the fields behind him, Lincoln asked the nation to "highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom." And with those words, Lincoln rewrote America's political lineage. He traced the nation's birth to the Declaration of Independence, in which Thomas Jefferson wrote that all men are created equal, instead of the Constitution, which allowed slavery to exist. During the four years of the Civil War, more than 620,000 people would die — 2% of the population. Nearly everyone who survived the war was touched by it in some way.

Even amid such profound sorrow, Lincoln found the reason to give thanks. It all bears repeating, but for the sake of space here, I simply offer the last paragraph. We might ask this question: "What would happen if an American President used this kind of language again in an official proclamation? How could the tide change for our country if our nation turned its heart toward God again?

President Lincoln finishes his proclamation with: "I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the imposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the divine purpose, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the City of Washington, this 3rd day of October, A. D. 1863."

Happy Thanksgiving, my precious FB friends!
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD....." Psalm 33:12

Welcome, Fall. Welcome, Change

Sandwiched between blazing summer and chilly winter, fall is the "cooling off" season. The rain brought CHANGE to us quickly here in Frisco. When I arrived back home from a quick trip to Austin, my home was so chilly that I put the fireplace on. My kids came over and smelled the “pumpkin spice” aroma that is in my air freshener and pumpkin spice coffee was ready to brew. Soon, the leaves will be changing colors. Last month, it changed on the inside of my home. My little fall vignettes are pictured here.

I've always loved decorating my home with seasonal changes. September isn’t too soon for me to decorate my home with harvest and fall decor'. Most of all, I love the heart of gratitude that naturally comes with it. And, wonderful things happen when we are grateful. It not only brings honor to God when we speak of His goodness, but our faith seems to soar to new heights because that attitude of gratitude opens shut doors and brings joy into the open windows of our souls.

With leaves changing colors, changing our home's decor', changing the a/c to heat, changing our summer to fall wardrobe, we know that change is inevitable. It's not only about accepting the changes, but I say triumphantly, “BRING IT ON!” We all experience changes and I’ve found that accepting those changes with gratitude makes the changes bearable. Like the birds I see flying South for the winter, my sweet grandchildren, Braden and Ruth, are changing their “habitats” with their move to Austin on October 24th. Thanks, God! I know You orchestrated that one. Their home in Atlanta sold in less than three days on the market. Ruth’s application for a NICU nursing position in Austin was not only immediately accepted, but she received a substantial pay increase, The first home they saw was perfect and they’ll be moving in without any delay. And, to top it off, Ruth’s “triplet” sister lives within five minutes of their home. Yes, thanks, God! You showed off on this one!

Sometimes “change” is wonderful, and sometimes “change” isn’t so easy. In fact, it can be downright painful. When my husband graduated to heaven, my status changed from "married" to "widow". I've learned that we should expect changes because it's that part of life that we CAN'T change. Change is inevitable, so why not begin to accept the changes with the grace that God gives us, and be thankful that He will carry us through those changes -- to an even better place of destiny and purpose?

Maybe we should begin our change from dissatisfaction and opposition to change, to the willingness to accept change. What if this month of October we started a NEW season of gratitude and thanksgiving? I don't know what tomorrow and its changes will hold for me, but I know I'm sensing God camping out with me in this atmosphere of thanksgiving. Once again, I hear Him saying "Trust Me. I've got this....in every CHANGE of life."

Shouldn't it be Black Friday instead of GOOD Friday?

You know the feelings...you, or someone you love is hurting so much, and no one else seems to understand your pain. Maybe your closest family member just passed away, and it seems everywhere you look people are just fine -- they're laughing, they're carefree, they're going on with their busy lives, and you think, "How could life be going on when I hurt so much?"

I've been there, and I know how life can go on. It's because of this day. This is Good Friday, day that should be commemorated with thanksgiving, celebrations, and everywhere we looked were crosses adorned with neon lights, and music and bands playing and choirs singing -- and we'd see people paying homage and offering tributes about what this day means.

Good Friday -- It seems like an oxymoron, doesn’t it? How can anything GOOD come from an innocent, kind, good and loving man to be killed by an angry mob on this day? How can anyone celebrate Jesus’ death on the cross today? We can, because Jesus could have called 10,000 angels to save Him, but He didn’t. This good, good Man was willing to endure the cross for the sake of our salvation -- to pay all the debts of sin we owed. He embraced this fate because He loved us so much!

On this day, the most scandalous betrayal of justice in human history took place. Jesus wasn’t guilty of any crime or sin. After the illegal trials, this loving, giving, compassionate, caring, innocent Man was stripped and tied to a post. He was whipped and beaten -- too horrible to even imagine. He was betrayed by His friends, and spit on by countless people. He was forced to carry a wooden cross to Calvary where nails were driven through his wrists and ankles and He was left to die. He could have called ten thousand angels to his side, but He refused. Instead, He died there for you and me. He loved so we could LIVE!

HALLELUJAH! We can, and should celebrate this day that SAVED our lives….literally! THIS IS THE DAY Christ bore every sin we've ever committed, He carried every sickness we have ever had, and will have. He gave His life so that WE WOULD LIVE FOREVER and EVER! How could we be so distracted and be so oblivious to this DAY OF ALL DAYS? Never again, do we wonder if we are loved. God thought our eternal life was worth the death of His only Son. Now that's TRUE LOVE! GOOD FRIDAY! Oh, happy day! Now, let's strike up the band and shoot off the fireworks. This DAY is worth the grandest celebration -- this day marks our FREE PASS to heaven.

Remember Him on the cross today...praise Him...thank Him.... worship Him...and give Him your life today, because He gave Himself so completely for you! Then, be a part of the ultimate victory celebration when He arises on "Resurrection Sunday"!!! Good Friday really is so so GOOD!

On Your Mark -- Get Set...GO! It's Black Friday!! Let the Christmas Season Begin!

Thanksgiving day was everything I had hoped it would be -- worshiping God, hearing a beautiful message on "Instead of just Thanksgiving -- make it Thanks-Living" and then being able to serve blessed communion at church early morning. I headed home to go into hyper-speed mode to get the turkey cooking with all the fixin's for my family here in Frisco and my family coming in from Austin. It is so worth all the prep for the joys. This year I asked each family member to express their gratitude for one minute. Well, most of the adults couldn't keep to the one minute rule -- there's just too much to be thankful for. I loved the grandchildren and their precious words.

But today is the day AFTER Thanksgiving. Shopping is in full force this morning -- well, actually, it was in full force at 5 pm yesterday. Why is the day after Thanksgiving called "Black Friday"? I did a little research. Originally it was Black Friday because so many people went out to shop and it caused traffic accidents and sometimes even violence. The Philadelphia Police Department coined the phrase to describe the mayhem surrounding the congestion of pedestrian and auto traffic in the downtown area.

No wonder retailers wanted to make the name "Black Friday" mean something positive. So they did. They used the name to reflect their success. Accountants use black to signify profit when recording each day's book entries. Red is used to mean loss. Therefore, Black Friday means PROFITABLE FRIDAY to retailing and to the economy.

Now you know a little more about BLACK FRIDAY. Indeed, it seems a bit negative to me because I see it as the ending of thanksgiving and gratitude, and the beginning of bedlam, hustle and bustle and all the joy of this new joyful season getting lost in the midst of the chaos. Clearly, the Thanksgiving holiday is over for another year. Yes, we'll be watching out for Christmas sales now. After all -- Christmas is only one month away and in the words of John Wayne, "Slap some bacon on a biscuit and let's go! We're burnin' daylight!"

But, as I posted earlier this week, Thanksgiving doesn't have to end when Black Friday indicates the start of the Christmas season. Christmas is too big for just one day and Thanksgiving is too important to only be reserved for one day. Thank God that President Lincoln in 1863 signed a proclamation calling for "a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwells in the Heavens…..." And, I’ll take that one step further, one day is just not enough to offer enough thanksgiving and praise to Almighty God for his goodness and mercy to us. Just think, if we carried over Thanksgiving right into the Christmas season and if we purposely live with an “attitude of gratitude”, maybe those frenzied shoppers wouldn't bug us so much when they almost run us over to get that "special".

God tells us to "enter His gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise" (Psalms 100:4). Gratitude is that gate and doorway to God’s joy and peace, and praise is the key to His presence. Being aware of His presence may just be the key to having one of the best Christmas seasons EVER. Instead of today being "Black Friday" to us.....we could turn it into a "Good Friday", that becomes the doorway to the beautiful season of Advent which begins this Sunday -- that sacred, focused and deliberate time when we ponder the coming of our Lord from His heavenly throne to earth to become one of us. It really was a time of HEAVEN ON EARTH. Unlike the innkeeper who said, "No room in the inn", may we cross over from the hustle, bustle, stress and mess that can accompany this season and do our best to make room for Him..May this Black Friday become a Good Friday to YOU today!

So Very Thankful On This Thanksgiving Day!

So Very Thankful On This Thanksgiving Day!
Happy Thanksgiving, dear FB Friends and Family! I am so thankful for far more than I deserve today. Of God's many blessings to me, He gave me yet another "surprise" blessing at this time in my life. He gave me YOU -- my Facebook friends and family. I can't begin to express how much your lives have blessed me as I read about your joys and blessings.as you post your life stories. I am so thankful for the many times you "like" or “love” mine, and provide your encouragement to me.

It's Thanksgiving Day when we amp up our hearts of gratitude for the many blessings in our lives. This morning I woke up and......oh, let's begin there. I woke up. I got out of bed. Oh, I'm so thankful for my bed and a good night's sleep. I got out of bed. Oh, I got out of bed all on my own. I went to the restroom. Oh, I could go to the restroom all on my own, and my "plumbing" worked. Soon, my family will be arriving at my home where the air will be filled with that best EVER aroma – turkey cooking in the oven.

I think you can see what I mean. Hearts of gratitude START with being thankful for each detail of our lives. Of course "the usual" -- thankful for God, family, friends, home, car, pet, clothes….but, then, seriously, think beyond those. At our Thanksgiving table, we’ll be giving each one, one full minute to share what they are thankful for – beyond God and family. I’ll have my stop watch set at one minute. Then we’ll name as many things as we can that we’re thankful for. Go ahead. You do it. You have one minute to name as many things as you can that YOU are thankful for. On your mark, get set, GO!

I did the exercise, gave myself one minute, and as I started the stop watch, I heard the garbage truck outside picking up my trash. I said, "I can hear." I heard the dishwasher running. I said, "dishwasher". My eyes went to my computer as I typed this post and I said “computer, the internet & technology”. I was seeing. I said, "my eyes". I have a TV set on my desk. I said “My TV”. I was sitting in my comfy desk chair -- "furniture". I'm cozy and warm on this chilly morning outside. I said “good insulation in my home – I don’t need the heat on”. I was sipping my coffee. I said, “coffee and food”.

In reality, literally everything from the breath we breathe to the bills we pay is a celebration of thankgiving. The bills we pay? Seriously? Oh yes, because those bills represent something to be thankful for -- a car payment (we have a car); a house payment (we have a home); an electrical bill (we have a warm home). Everywhere we look, we see things to be grateful for. And, when we live in an attitude of gratitude, rather than being bugged that the computer is too slow, we say, "I'm so thankful for my computer". Instead of complaining about our "old" car, we say, "I'm so thankful for a car." Instead of saying "I have nothing to wear, we say, "I'm so thankful for my clothes." Instead of complaining about our boss or a co-worker, we say "I'm so grateful for my job." A grateful heart sees each day as a gift. Thankful people focus less on what they lack and more on the privileges and blessings they have.

The grateful heart is like a magnet that collects reasons for gratitude -- for the paper clip to hold those pages together; for the milk in our cereal; for the song that soothes us; for the clock we hear ticking; for the light that turns on; for the safe drive home; for the clean water from our tap, for the time we had with our loved ones. Thank you, Lord!

May we choose gratitude as a habit that we choose daily as a way of life. May we adjust our lens and see our lives and our world through the eyes of a grateful heart. May we be overwhelmed with the beauty and abundance of it all. When we live with that kind of gratitude, we will experience Thanksgiving Day.....everyday! Happy Thanksgiving!

Christmas Before Thanksgiving?

Happy Thanksgiving Eve! Tomorrow will be our U.S. Thanksgiving Day. My Canadian family and friends celebrated their Thanksgiving Day back in October. For them, it makes Thanksgiving Day a couple of months before Christmas. I like that pause before Christmas activities. Whether October or November, it's been beginning to look a lot like Christmas for MONTHS now. My nephew, Mark David Lawrence, starts pining for Christmas and singing Christmas carols in July. I've seen some FB posts where folks were grumbling about Christmas decorations being sold since August. Christmas music is already being played in stores. I get that retail stores, needing their sales, amp it up to get us into the "buying" spirit waaay before the Christmas season.

I get that most of us want to embrace each season and make it as memorable as we can. We want to savor Fall with the leaves changing colors, candy corn, pumpkin spice coffee, autumn décor, and we want to remember the pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving and make this season special. But, I started thinking -- "What's the big deal?" And why should it matter when people begin to celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas? Different strokes for different folks. Bottom line is that we open our hearts, and our homes, to being thankful at Thanksgiving and to the joys, delights, thrills and celebrations of CHRISTMAS – Christ and His coming to this earth. Thanksgiving AND Christmas are seasons that could be celebrated all year long.

My daughter and family already have their Christmas tree and decorations up and I'll admit, I love the gentle, sweet and tender atmosphere that the Christmas décor creates. I'll put mine out soon after Thanksgiving, but I’m already embracing Christmas as Mom, on my recent trip to Tulsa, gave me her beloved Christmas tree and manger scene ceramic characters that she painted years ago. I'll display them adoringly. So I'll be pondering and thinking about all that Christmas means when my Austin and Frisco family are here celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow. We'll all be in such a mode of thanksgiving, it will make an easy transition for all the joys and beauty of Christmas.

I haven't complained about the Christmas decorations and music in the stores. It has just caused me to hone into the beautiful journey that will lead to the most HOLY AND MIRACULOUS DAY – and, it would have been alright if I started way back in July, with my nephew! After all, it’s more than a season or a day, it’s about a REASON for unspeakable joy, indescribable love, and amazing sacrifice – that the ONE who placed the stars in the sky and Who knows them ALL by name -- chose to come to this earth as a little baby to be with me, understand me, live in this world like me -- HE totally gets me and my frailties, but better yet, He is my all powerful, awesome and GREAT, amazing God. I'd say that's plenty reason to be celebrating ALL YEAR ROUND! So the next time you're tempted to complain about "too early", turn that around to being THANKFUL for the reminder to THANK God year 'round for THE REASON FOR ALL THE SEASONS.

Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.

I'm starting this Thanksgiving week with so much gratitude to God for His love and His many blessings -- far more than I could ever deserve! I am not lucky, fortunate, or merely disciplined – I am the recipient of God’s grace – His unmerited favor because I am His and He is mine. It's not enough to just say “Thank you!”, but to do something with the grace and blessings I’ve been given. And I know there is a responsibility that comes with privilege. I am blessed to bless. Gifted so I can give and that giving may come as just being a bright light that someone else may need.

Case in point. While in Tulsa, it was hammer down getting Mom’s things packed up for her move to my sis-in-law, Karen’s home. Mom isn’t moving fast these days, so we realized, neither should we. We’re giving her time and space to make these many easy AND difficult decisions. After all, she has an accumulation of many years of living -- 95 to be exact. She needed rest from her decision-making on Saturday morning, so I decided to go visit Karen’s husband’s Mom, Margaret, also 95 years old and who lives in a long care facility here in Tulsa. I was powered up to "make her day".

I drove just a few miles up the road to Inverness Village, her home for many years now, and tiptoed into her room because I could see she was dozing. George and Karen warned me that she has some memory loss now and may not recognize me. I gently tapped her leg and her drowsy eyes opened wide, and the biggest smile appeared on her face as she said, “Donna, you are here. I’m so glad to see you!” She was dressed to the nines, as usual. She was warm and welcoming and I could tell I made her day, but, more importantly, she made mine with the brightness in her eyes and the joy overflowing coming from her. I said, “Margaret, you look beautiful as always, but just look at your hair – it is so full and long!” With the humor I’ve always known her to have, she said, “I know. It’s because I’m ‘on the pill’” I laughed so hard and she said, “I love to say that to see people’s reaction. But, seriously, I’m taking a pill that has made my hair come back and it’s thicker than ever!” Then she went on to tell me about how much she loves living at Inverness. "They take such good care of me. The people (nurses, nurse’s aides, etc.) are so helpful and kind. I love the activities -- just look at the paintings I've done. I just love doing that." Me: “Margaret, you’ve got your Christmas up already!” Margaret: “Oh, no. I keep my Christmas up all year. It makes me happy all year.” She had so much enthusiasm and energy that it made me tear up with gratitude for her gratitude.

When I lived in Tulsa, I took communion to her on Sundays. I asked if anyone was bringing her communion and she said there is a lovely lady who brings her communion regularly and then she wanted to show me the chapel. "If you’ll push me in the wheel chair, I’ll show you!” So we took a stroll down the hall to see this beautiful little chapel, and as we rolled along, she waved and spoke to everyone we passed.

After spending about an hour with her, as my typical routine before I would leave, I had prayer with her and as I prayed, I thanked God for this precious bright light that blessed me more than I could have ever blessed her. I thanked God for caring so lovingly for her. I thanked God that her gratitude and heart of Thanksgiving made me even more grateful for my life.

When it comes to the understanding of the value of gratitude, sometimes it helps to look at the wisdom of others. Margaret has learned to count her blessings – a wheelchair that carries her to her next activity, a “pill” that’s made her hair grow, the ability to paint some pictures, her home – be it a room with many family mementos everywhere, her clothes, her children that come to see her, her beautician (she was emphatic about her hair appointment at 1 o’clock). Maybe her simplified life is far from where you and I may be, but oh that we can be as thankful for all that we have in our lives.

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” – Oprah Winfrey

"In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18