Being Still - Knowing God - Giving Thanks

I recently traveled to England with seven family members.  The time away restored my soul.  The combination of a slower pace and attuned ear resulted in a depth of stillness that I do not experience often enough.  Trust and thankfulness flowed from this stillness.

Be still and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations.  I will be exalted in the earth!  Psalm 46:10

The end of May echoed the beginning: counting gifts given freely by the Exalted One.

Numbering the gifts and giving thanks day by day for:

#961 - #1027

May 21
scrubbing floors; gathering clothes to give away; packing for two in one suitcase; grace for flight challenges; safe drive to the airport; yielding to rest

May 22
luggage glitch - clarity reached; pleasant car ride; beautiful accomodations for eight; strolling city streets; sitting in the park with Mom; history framed on walls

May 23
safe arrival of three; glimpse of the Queen; walking on ancient floors; religious freedom; eying London; reading her story; long-distance greetings

May 24
sights and sounds of Piccadilly Circus; tea and biscuits with new friend; hearing the voice of the Prince; family walk; children jumping rope; public transportation

May 25
verdant Kent countryside; Canterbury; napping in the people-mover; lovely dining hall; walking through disappointment; dreamy bed linens

May 26
Merton tour; rain-facilitated rest; multi-colored hues in courtyard garden; cooking with Sis; witnessing legacy; reading Digging to America

May 27
flying pigs; lunch with colleagues; climbing narrow stairs to the rooftop; late night van ride; grace for flexibility; reading 1611 King James Bible under glass

May 28
moments to connect; solemn and special graduation ceremony; her beautiful, bountiful hair; doorways and hope; pub dinner to celebrate

May 29
worshipping with believers in a foreign land; garden walk; packing for home; contemplating wells - old and new; resolve to write; agreeing in prayer; ginger cookies

May 30
raindrops and farewells; giving way; 31 years of team work; wise, adventurous husband; airport shopping; conversation in flight

May 31
slow pace; grocery shopping; sharing life stories; cooking dinner at home; listening to Mama; parking lot chat

Consider joining the Gratitude Community in counting gifts and giving thanks!

Signs of resurrection

 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord is rises upon you...Isaiah 60:1

During the month leading up to the celebration of Resurrection Day, signs of resurrection life manifested within and without - day in and day out...

My pastor spoke on Easter Sunday, noting: "... resurrection is a pattern for Christian life..."
So, whether we are holding onto promises or experiencing problems, we can "choose to rejoice and draw strength from God" in thanksgiving, praise, worship and prayer.

I am on a gift hunt - opening my heart and my eyes to see the gifts all around and within; opening my mouth to sing and speak thanks to the Giver of all good gifts.

Joining the voices of thanks-givers on Multitude Monday - counting gifts, seeing grace...

#876 - 900

thanks -filled Good Friday celebration
completing 100 days of developing in three life areas
songs of freedom - sung by birds in the morning
puddles made for splashing
little nephews ready to splash in puddles

mall walking and talking with a friend
steady spring showers
full afternoon time with spouse
family gatherings all weekend
purple pansy petals

Resurrection life
feet set free to dance
colorful shoes belonging to feet that bring good news
steps ordered by the Lord
being caught when my feet stumble

lunch with Mama and friend
insurance to pay for health care screening
limbs that move even when aching
news of improved health status
prayers and encouragement for waiting ones

Resurrection signs:
healing heart
breaking free from fear
maturing fruit of the Spirit
encouraged in heart, united in love

The gift hunt continues...with joy

Vision Screening: What Do You See Today?

I am very nearsighted - myopic in vision.  Since the age of nine, I have used visual aids to help with seeing clearly in the distance. 

Last week, I visited my eye doctor for a routine exam.  She checked all the facets of my vision and asked me questions. 

The news that my use of monovision contact lenses impaired depth perception surprised me!   We discussed options.  I ordered a pair of glasses to wear with my contact lenses while driving or sitting in an auditorium so that I can add depth perception to my vision.

My thoughts turned to my visual acuity spiritually.  

Am I myopic or can I see into the distance?  Sometimes yes- sometimes no.

One habit that helps me to see freshly, to see with new vision is giving thanks... I join the thankful throng on Multitude Mondays giving thanks for gifts - many gifts...

#771   juicy sweet cara cara oranges

#772   sharing oranges at home, work, and with Mama

#773   tea time

#774   laughter in the office

#775   warm, sudsy dishwater

#776   moonlight through the windows

#777   restful sleep

#778   ginger scented candles

#779   driving dear Mama

#780   jump ropes

#781   orange ginger lotion

#782   eyeglasses and contact lenses

#783   sun peeking out from clouds

#784   tenacious Mama

#785   loving and faith-filled husband

#786   gracious and beautiful daughter

#787   intrepid and life-embracing son

#788   pray-ers to help when crashing collisions occur

#789   medical missions team in Argentina

#790   Lord, my Vision

What are you seeing today?

Steadily Thankful

My daughter bought a hybrid car.  Recently, she questioned why the gas mileage fell short of expectations.  As she shared this thought with her wise father, he encouraged her to be mindful of driving a steady speed instead of surging fast and slowing down.

Dear daughter implemented Dad's advice on the road.  She also applied the wisdom to her life, moving steadily through responsibilites during her day, with the result that she accomplished more than usual.

Now I am adopting this wisdom as I remember to remain steady in giving thanks, in being grateful, steadily thankful for...

#482 - 500

loved one home from the hospital and recovering

bevy of pray-ers for this loved one

pansies thriving in flower pots

parsley that keeps giving

dream boosting friends

decluttering my work space

decluttering my mind

listening to the whispers

children dancing and laughing at quinceanera

music that expresses unspoken sentiments

quiet conversations at the end of the evening

helpful surgical consult

surprising sister with gift of connectivity

hope that grows

lingering  conversations after dinner

beautiful sunrises

neck massages

reconnection with family at the end of the workday

rest

Steadily giving thanks with Ann's One Thousand Gifts blog

Night Songs

Troubles seemed to grow like weeds over the past weeks.  Simultaneously, prayers for healing multiplied toward the throne of the One who hears and helps...our Refuge and Strength; our very present Help. 

After decades of witnessing the power of song, I marvel at the truth that singing, even during dark nights of the soul, awakens thanksgiving in my heart.

You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak.  I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.  I call to remembrance my song in the night; I meditate within my heart, and my spirit makes diligent search.  Psalm 77:4-6

So I sing: I sing in tune with Truth. 
I sing lyrics written by Love. 
I rest in refrains sung by my Redeemer.

I sing with thanks for:

#472 - 481

a long history of grace moments (I remember, Lord!)

enduring love in marriage

privilege of seeing two precious children grow to adulthood

companions in intercession during dark nights

comfort and care for parents who recently experienced the death of their child

hope for healing

faith: authored and finished by the only One who can

tears: they speak volumes when words fail

blood: divine and human

being held when so much seems to be falling apart

Nothing is impossible for You; you hold my world in Your hands!

Hear one song that has crossed my lips many times this weekend: Healer

Rockin' Praises

I'm ready, God, so ready, ready from head to toe.  Ready to sing;  ready to raise a tune: 'Wake up, soul!'...I'm thanking you, God, out loud in the streets, singing your praises in town and country.  The deeper your love, the higher it goes.  Every cloud is a flag to your faithfulness.  Psalm 57:7-10

Raindrops, tap dancing on the windows, kept me awake off and on during the night.  As I tossed and as I turned, the faithfulness of the Lord over the past week, year, lifetime flashed in my mind...vignettes of victories won; clips of comfort provided; and pictures of perseverance...

When daybreak arrived, so did the voice singing praises.

"Be  exalted, God, above  the heavens.  Let your  glory be over all the earth!"  Psalm 57:11

Awakened and spilling thanks like raindrops for:

#442-451

raindrops on parched ground

cool morning air

joy coming in the morning after a sad night

purposeful living

news of healed body

margin, that is, clear space in a packed world

displays of covenant loyalty, day in and day out

rainbows, double rainbows!

butterfly sightings

freshly planted pansies

Joining the Gratitude Community in giving thanks.

Praise River

"My heart bursts its banks, spilling beauty and goodness.  I pour it out in a poem to the King, shaping the river into words."  Psalm 45:1 (Message)

This morning's walk and a weekend of activated senses brought praise after praise after thanks after thanks to the King of my heart, the Lord of Lords.  Today I am  shaping this praise river into words as  - -I give thanks for:

#373 - 382

smelling honeysuckle and basil in the garden

smelling flavors from food on the grill

seeing five orioles on my walk

seeing the fog roll away as sunlight appeared

hearing my husband pray for youth going off to college and the military

hearing my mother give thanks to God for provision

feeling the heartbeat of a young child pausing for a hug

feeling the warmth of water as vegetables get rinsed

tasting food prepared for gathering of church family

tasting and seeing that the Lord is good - always good!

Today, I pour my river of thanks to the Lord...in joy

Join Ann's Gratitude Community today - thanks is contagious!

Free to Be

While visiting Monticello, Montpelier, and the Gilmore Farm, the reality of the cost of freedom glared before me.   Choices made; consequences paid.

The ultimate price, the Ultimate Life,  sacrificed for freedom.  Love lied bleeding; rose victorious...leaving us free to be...

 

*******************************************************

"It  is for freedom that Christ has set us free...  Galatians 5:1

I rejoice and give thanks that Freedom rings:

#363 - 372

from the depths of my soul set free by Grace

in my spirit made alive by Love

in the laughter of a baby walking for the first time

in the heart of a child who no longer fears

in ringlets of curls covering the head

as we serve one another

when loving our neighbors as ourselves

as fruit of the Spirit fills the heart

as we keep in step with the Spirit

when I choose to yield to My Father


Got thanks?  Join the Gratitude Community giving 1000 Gifts.

So Good to Give Thanks!

One of the traditions we practiced while my children lived at home involved a simple acknowledgment of the arrival of a new month.  The acknowledgment could be a simple as a "Happy August (or whatever the current month was) to reading books or making crafts related to the month.

With child-like anticipation and joy for this new month, I give thanks for:

#353 - 362

evening surprise celebration of niece's happy birthday

weekend of sharing meals with covenant friends

moments of sister laughter, so rich

week of learning in new environment

anniversary month praise

vacation anticipation

words heard, words spoken, strength arising

growing, fragrant lavender

cool breezes in the early morning

insight from wise youth

 *********************************************************************************

What a beautiful thing, God, to give thanks, to sing an anthem to you, the High God!  To announce your love each daybreak, sing your faithful presence all through the night.    Psalm 92: 1-2

 

Sailing on the water

It came upon me slowly, but surely...the realization that I could not ignore the intensity of the pace, the volume of the assignments, and the bountiful grace and strength that enable me to thrive daily. 

I knew what I had to do - beginning when I awakened, throughout the day, and into the evening I am
                        
                         singing songs of praise to the Lord!

Singing praises to the Lord keeps my heart filled with gratitude.  Sometimes my songs are sung as tears of sadness trail down my face.  Other times, a  wide smile accompanies the songs I sing. 

Today, I raise my song of thanks for:

#322 - 332

life redeemed

family restored

strength regained

songs sung

smiles given

forgiveness spoken

hearts connected

solitude enjoyed

time shared

meals prepared

life lived

Dripping with Gratitude

As heavy raindrops soak the parched earth, I am reminded of my thirst for Mercy drops from the Fountain of Life.  The Fountain is always present; however, I am sometimes in the shadows, sometimes in the bright light.  In any case, Mercy drops fall - new every morning, bubbling from the Fountain.  I am dripping with gratitude...

Have you ever been soaked in a summer downpour of rain?  I have been soaked in summer rain.  Every part of me drips - from head to feet.  Today, I am dripping with gratitude...

 Today, I am dripping with gratitude for:

#302 - 311

visits from adult children - such joy!

completed book chapter -  finally!

evening walk with my husband - a treat!

meeting up with dear friends - long time coming!

a  soaking bath - soothing!

gift of presence when grief arrives  - so needed!

Sunday nap - refreshing!

reframing project - enlightening!

mother/daughter shopping day - lovely!

morning glories - faithfully appearing!

 Still dripping with thanks:

#312 - 321

Son calling

Mama visiting

Children soaking

Voices singing

Pages turning

Friends sharing

Sun shining

Rain falling

Mercy giving

Grace receiving

Forgiving is for Giving

For several  weeks, thoughts of giving forgiveness bubble up in my mind and heart...and for good reason.

Murmuring has been easy when the workload is heavy and the help is sparse. 

Deep sighs escape frustrated lips as annoying habits resurface.

Blank stares replace aha! moments of creativity.

Then I remember The Key to Everything!

Forgiving is for giving.  Giving keeps my heart softened.

"Forgotten grace breeds unforgiving living." Jack Hayford

Today, I remember endless grace gifts as I give thanks for:

#272  family-filled days of fun and food

#273  father and father-in-law who served in the military for this nation

#274  digging in dirt to make a home for new plants

#275  dancing to the rhythm of love

#276  giving forgiveness - again and again

#277  receiving forgiveness - again and again

#278  lingering conversations after dinner

#279  laughter from the depths of souls

#280  tears falling in empathy

#281  grace, grace, and more grace

There's Hope in Sight!

The day began with a somber telephone message.

So sad news

eyes sting

feelings of abandonment resurface

So I feel

heart hurts

now healing comes

If I know You, You will turn this day into a perfect surprise.

There is hope in sight because Jesus lives!

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music." Psalm 145:4

Singing thanks to the Lord while:

#192 connecting with adolescents in a moment of joy

#193 joining with family for food, fellowship, and fun

#194 dancing with a limp

#195 preparing lamb stew for one shut in

#196 walking in the sun

#197 smiling with birthday friend who found a place of refreshing

#198 frosting cupcakes in spring colors

#199 sharing smiles across the room

#200 watching college basketball together

#201 delivering love notes over the telephone