Thanks For Giving

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. It is the one time of year that obligates family to come together and reminisce. Thanksgiving, for me, is an awakening of all of my senses. The colors and aromas of the food and the crisp resurrected melodies of Motown, the Beatles and the BeeGees warm my soul. During this time with family and friends, the state of the economy does not matter, for my focus is on the gracious riches I have undeservingly been bestowed.

Thanksgiving, without fail, invites me to have a seat and observe the screenplay of my life. It is during these days that I can see, smell, feel, hear and touch the experiences - the horrid as well as the happy, and end up crying tears of joy and shouting thanks to God. For it is only when I look back that I see how amazing He has been to me. He protected me when I could not see the danger. He provided for me when I had no idea from where my next meal would come. He taught me how to love. I can never, ever thank Him enough. My words are too small. They can never express the gratitude, but they're all I have. Thank you Lord. Thank you God. Thanks for all of Your Giving.

When a Break is Necessary

"For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His." Hebrews 4:10

I am trying, desperately trying to learn to rest when necessary. This is a tough assignment for me because i love to do stuff. All kinds of stuff. Write. Read. Make jewelry. Paint. When shoulder aches, head aches, and fatigue became daily visitors of mine a couple of months ago, I knew it was time to slow down and get some rest. The thoughts of peace, quiet, and nothing to do were not ones i welcomed, but gave in to anyway.

So, for the past two months I did less and less stuff and more and more digging into scripture and spending time with God. I have had a renewing unlike anything i've experienced in a long, long time. The highlight of my every morning is riding the express bus to work with my overhead white light reading lamp shining on the revelation of God, as the words warm my heart and make my spirit dance. My life, by doing less, has become more full.

I pray the same for you. If you are a busybody, I challenge you to force yourself to be still sometimes. Fall is here and winter is on it's way. Make a cup of hot chocolate with some whipped cream or marshmallows, turn up the fireplace, find a seat in a comfy chair and read the key chapters in a book of the Bible of your choosing. Doing this will leave you quite refreshed, renewed and ready for even more.

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

God bless....