Sunday, November 27, 2011

What Faith Can Do

As I drove home tonight, "What Faith Can Do" by Kutless was playing on the radio.  It was one of the those moments that felt like God was playing it just for me.  There are many things in my life that look absolutely impossible.  Hurts that run so deep I don't even know how to talk about them.  Physical pain that seems to be never-ending.  Hard relationships that never get better.  I won't type the whole laundry list.  The truths in this song are simple, yet profound.  And they're exactly what I needed.  God is good like that.



Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Thankful


All year I've been thinking a lot about giving thanks and counting gifts.  And this week as I anticipate and plan for Thanksgiving I'm thinking about it even more.  

I love the fourth Thursday of every November.  It's a bittersweet holiday for me.  I love all the food and family time.  I love our tradition of going around the dinner table and sharing five things each for which we're thankful.  I love making a bunch of pies. (!!!)  I'm not always excited about realizing yet another is gone and can never be gotten back.  There's a twinge of sadness as we recall my grandfather passing away on Thanksgiving several years ago after a battle with Alzheimer's.

But overall I love and look forward to that that fourth Thursday of every November.  And 2011's fourth Thursday of every November is almost here! Turkey anyone?

And since I haven't done this for awhile, here are a few a lot of snapshots from my gratitude journal over the past month.

I'm thankful for...

...friends posting good reminders and truths on Facebook

...news of a two week break from work

...a newly painted bedroom

...a very, very handy (tall) little brother

...tears that help keep from bitterness

...a very refreshing and relaxing time with Lydia

...Swagbucks' Amazon gift cards


...finding the perfect birthday gift for a friend

...gorgeous, sunny, warm November day

...a safe and healthy golden retriever

...laughter while watching my grandpa play with my dog

...a wonderful time as family in the woods and around the bonfire

...pillows to prop a sprained knee

...lazy family time on a Sunday evening

...a God who is my refuge (Proverbs 14:26)

...a lovely sister who made me chicken soup when I was feeling horrible

...texts from people I love

...a little sister's tender heart

...lovely cheesecake and hot chocolate chat with a lovely friend

...the support of the Lord (Psalm 18:18)



Have a happy Thanksgiving!  And make some cute rice crispy turkeys.  Just do it and share them with the people you love or strangers or yourself or whoever.  You'll be happy you did.