Year-End [Thanks] Giving

"It's not too Late!" shouted the email subject line...

Snail mail and email messages show up in abundance in my mailboxes during December.

This time of year - the end of the year - organizations encourage financial giving as businesses and individuals generously open their hearts to respond.

In my household, we prayerful determine where to give dollars.  In my heart, I know I cannot live well without giving thanks.

Jack Hayford reminds us that "giving is a mind-set."

Let us come before Him with thanksgiving...Psalm 95:2  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!  1 Corinthians 9:15

God modeled giving when He gave His Son, Immanuel, to be with us.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.  John 1:14

As I move through this year-end, I am grateful for more than can be typed out on this page.  Below you will find representatives of my Year-end [thanks] giving to the One who is Light and Life to me.

# 581-610

celebrating advent with my family

celebrating advent with 7th and 8th grade youth in my church family

eating Christmas breakfast with a newly divorced friend and her two young sons

singing Happy Birthday, Jesus at the breakfast table on Christmas morning

listening to songs of Christmas piped throughout the house

praying for and with friends who grieve the death of precious loved ones

keeping the home fires burning with a scaled back schedule

visiting family and friends - sharing laughter and love

nursing sick loved ones back to health

rediscovering Hannah Hurnard's Hind's Feet on High Places

receiving from caring and praying friends

giving care and friendship

seeking, really seeking, direction for the new year

discovering and attending BSF

connecting with new friends in the blogosphere

shedding clutter and baggage

writing for varied audiences

continuing to work in two fulfilling careers

loving and being loved in marriage for 31 years

seeing my adult children link careers with their gifts and talents

memorizing the promises of God for family

painting warm colors on walls

walking many miles for fitness and fellowship

understanding more by listening more

receiving showers of blessings throughout the years

enjoying extended family vacations

rekindling the joy of taking photos

learning and practicing additional technology skills

continuing to grow in grace with the help of the Grace-Giver

finding Ann Voskamp's Gratitude Community 

and so much more...!

Year-end blessings to you,