I recently read a quote that stated "Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it."
Read it again if you need to.... it is so true! This time of year we are invited by many sources to think about what we are thankful for. But how many times are we asked to express that gratitude? And if we are asked to express it, isn't it usually in the form of a fill in the blank sentence? I am thankful for ____________________.
While there is nothing wrong with this method of expressing gratitude, I am challenging myself and you to find some different ways to express your heart full of blessings. Maybe it will be in a song you sing to the Lord with all the stops pulled out! Or maybe it will be in a note stuck on a windshield of a generous neighbor. Maybe it will be in a perfectly browned loaf of homemade bread sent to a teacher. Or maybe it will be in a gentle hug and a smile for your child just for being him!
The possibilities of expression are as endless as the number of bloggers on the web.... so what will it be? How will you show your gratitude today?
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
A Gentle and Quiet Spirit
Many years ago, when I was a teenager, I was given a blessing in words. An adult who I don’t even remember specifically, perhaps someone working with our youth group, told me that I reminded them of the verse in I Peter that talks about a woman with a gentle and quiet spirit. This person said that I did not speak out very often, but when I did, I had something significant to say. It is amazing how something spoken over 20 years ago is still remembered today. Never underestimate the power of a spoken blessing.
But just this week, I have been reminded of this verse, so I went back to read it in context. It reads:
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”
Twenty plus years ago, I thought this verse meant that if you were talkative or assertive or flamboyant, then you did not have a gentle and quiet spirit, but I believe that the Lord is teaching me new things about this verse. How many of us are “quiet” or “gentle” in nature, but our spirits are in turmoil because the “noise” around us is deafening. How many times have we felt like our spirit was not quiet because we were fretting about whatever was going on in our physical, emotional or spiritual life?
Today, I am praying for a quieted spirit. I want my spirit to reflect the trust I have in God to lead and guide me where He intends for me to be. It is when I decide I need to take control that my spirit is stirred with worry or anxiety over things completely out of my control. Therefore, today it is God that is in control. And that is beautiful
But just this week, I have been reminded of this verse, so I went back to read it in context. It reads:
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”
Twenty plus years ago, I thought this verse meant that if you were talkative or assertive or flamboyant, then you did not have a gentle and quiet spirit, but I believe that the Lord is teaching me new things about this verse. How many of us are “quiet” or “gentle” in nature, but our spirits are in turmoil because the “noise” around us is deafening. How many times have we felt like our spirit was not quiet because we were fretting about whatever was going on in our physical, emotional or spiritual life?
Today, I am praying for a quieted spirit. I want my spirit to reflect the trust I have in God to lead and guide me where He intends for me to be. It is when I decide I need to take control that my spirit is stirred with worry or anxiety over things completely out of my control. Therefore, today it is God that is in control. And that is beautiful
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Beginnings
On the eve of the beginning week at the beginning of the new year, I am wondering what the next few weeks and months will hold. It seems the beginning of the year for me is always a favorite time, not because I have high hopes of losing those lingering pounds or to gain a new lease on life, but the fact that the possibilities ahead are endless! I know, I know. A week ago the future possibilities were endless, but there is just something about a fresh calendar page.
I believe God created in us this need for a new start. How else can you explain all the chances He gave his people in the wilderness or the second starts he gave individuals like Moses, David, Abraham, etc, etc, etc. Here's the best part... He continues to give us second, third, and fourth chances! We get do overs. So you are disappointed in how your 2008 turned out? Do something different. You knew you shouldn't have said what you said? Make it right. You have regrets about how you've spent your time or your money? Make a plan to change.
Beginnings are beautiful! As I begin this new year, I am praying specifically for God to show me where I need to make changes and where I need to stay put. I know He will.
I believe God created in us this need for a new start. How else can you explain all the chances He gave his people in the wilderness or the second starts he gave individuals like Moses, David, Abraham, etc, etc, etc. Here's the best part... He continues to give us second, third, and fourth chances! We get do overs. So you are disappointed in how your 2008 turned out? Do something different. You knew you shouldn't have said what you said? Make it right. You have regrets about how you've spent your time or your money? Make a plan to change.
Beginnings are beautiful! As I begin this new year, I am praying specifically for God to show me where I need to make changes and where I need to stay put. I know He will.
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