Weekend Thanksgiving

Gratitude truly is the foremost quality of a believing disciple precisely because gratitude is what births trust...the true belief .  Ann Voskamp

This weekend was lovely.  Pumpkins were carved.  Soup and homemade rolls were made.  And I spent all day Saturday watching Netflix and trying to knock-out this sickness that just keeps hanging on.

I also started a new book that looks wonderful and is already encouraging my heart.

Thankful for...
My husband doing all the Fall yard clean-up while I was down sick
Chai tea
Netflix
Soft Kleenex
Roasted pumpkin seeds
Enamel pots

Gratitude

I have so enjoyed reading some of the 31 days series.  It is so strange to me to read other women's thoughts.  Women who I do not know in my day to day life and have their thoughts echo mine. 

In my life there is little room to hear the hearts of my friends.  The busyness of life squeezes out the time and opportunity for real, deep conversation.  We talk of things like meal plans, schedules, work conflicts, and what is happening in our families.  We lack the time to share the deeper more important matters of the heart that really make a person who she is.  I love to read deeper thoughts of women processing through what God is teaching them.  How they are continuing to grow to be closer to His likeness. 

For nearly 2 years God has been teaching me the discipline of thankfulness.  Gratitude.  Contentment.  This process has been one step forward one step back most of the way.  Occasionally I move 2 or three steps forward only to quickly move 1, 2, 3 or 4 steps backwards. I am glad when I read of Paul who said "In  all circumstances I have LEARNED in whatever state I am, to be content." Phil 4:11.  Paul had to learn and practice this lesson too.  Learning is a process and a journey.  For me, a journey that I am climbing uphill, on rocky terrain, in the rain.  By nature I am a critical spirit.  But praise be to God that He does not leave us the way we are but pleasures in making us more like Himself.  And that my friends, is what this one life we have been given is all about.

Today I am thankful for...
Laughter with my family
A short little outing with my oldest
A full pantry
Menus planned for the month
A day off
Cooler weather and clear blue skies in October
Antibiotics
Coffee in the morning
Chocolate doughnuts

I love fabric on these chairs in my office that I get to look at every day.  They make me smile.

The way the flame on this candle burns.  Just look at it dance...

 

 

 

In my heart I truly believe that real joy comes from being content with my circumstances...my life.  Being OK with where I am today.  Not that God does not want movement or change, but I can be content in His timing and His way of change without taking things into my own hands and forcing my hand. 

 

 

Status Report

The weather has turned colder in these parts and I am glad of it.  I am looking forward to all things Fall!
Cooking:  Looking forward to making this wonderful soup  this weekend.  As well as pulling out the crock pot and finding some inspiration from these girls.

Wearing:  With the colder weather brings sweaters, jeans, and boots!  I have been looking at Pinterest for color combinations of things I already own.  I have found that I am not very creative on my own, but with the help of Pinterest it is possible to say "yes, I can"!

Studying:  I have just started A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George.  It is a back to basics type study focusing on prayer and priorities.  Two areas that I can always be reminded of and gain perspective on.

Practicing: I am continuing to practice Eucharisteo.  God has been teaching and re-teaching me about thanksgiving, grace and joy.  I find that practicing thanksgiving gives me perspective to see good.  It helps me to live out Phillipians 4:8 in thinking on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.  When I get my focus off of the things that are bothering me and find something to be thankful for my spirits life.  I am naturally a critical person and can find the negative in just about anything.  That helps no one - especially me.  God says I should think on the positive and HE knows best.   THIS is helping me.  Today's Joy Dare is to find 3 things orange to be thankful for...
*Pumpkins
*Fall flowers
*Little fingers squishing gooey orange paint