GIVE IT ALL YOU'VE GOT

I own a solid gold necklace.

It is a beautiful piece of jewelry.

And it's heavy – literally!

The price of gold is currently around $1350 an ounce.  So this necklace would definitely be, as they say, *worth its weight in gold!*

It's a treasure – and it would be quite a gift if I gave it away, wouldn't it?

Now what if I showed you two pennies – two tarnished, beat-up pennies?

They've been sitting in a dish of spare change for who knows how long.

They're not worth much.  

In fact, in today's economy, they're probably not even worth two cents!

Back in the day, they could buy something – a piece of candy or such.

But now, the penny is so worthless, we don't even like having them rattling around in our pockets.

Many stores have little trays where you can "take a penny, leave a penny."

If you don't want your pennies with you, leave them.  (For the most part, I'm an equal taker-leaver...)

So, giving away these two pennies wouldn't be much of a gift, would it?


Today I want to talk about a woman who gave something away…

"While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box.  Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins." (Luke 21: 1-2, NLT)


Jesus was in the area of the Temple called the Court of Women.

In this area were seven boxes in which worshipers could deposit the Temple tax and six boxes for freewill offerings.  It appears that Jesus continued watching the giving for some time, and He observed a number of wealthy persons making gifts.

This woman gave a freewill offering of two mites.

At the time, a mite was the smallest of copper coins, normally equal to just 1/8 of a cent!

Though it might seem that her offering was small, her gift was a sacrifice, for it was all that she had.

Her gift made an impression on Jesus, and He commented on it:

"'I tell you the truth,' Jesus said, 'this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them.  For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.'" (Luke 21:3-4, NLT)


Today, I'm not going to talk about financial giving – I'd like to expand the story beyond the issue of money.

The issue here is not that the woman had given more as to value and substance – but that she had cast in more in proportion to what she had.

Her gift was counted as more by Christ, and more highly valued and esteemed by Him, because Jesus – the One who sees the heart, and knows all things – knew that she had given FROM HER HEART.

Yes, my friends, the Lord desires no greater gift than the gift of yourself.

He wants more than financial offerings – He wants you to KNOW Him and to LOVE Him.

He is to be loved with all your powers and capabilities, with your time and your talents, with all aspects of your personality, with every ounce of your heart.

Mark 12:30 (NLT) sums up this greatest gift:

"And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength."


Jesus uses the poor widow's offering to teach an important lesson.

A gift is not to be evaluated by its size, but by a comparison of the gift with the total possessed by the giver.

In the secret, innermost part of your heart, have you laid your life on the altar?

Have you presented everything you have, and everything you are, to Him?


May God help us to be like this faithful woman as we give our very selves in His name.


That's my two cents...



What are you giving to God of YOURSELF?

A penny saved
is a penny
earned.

But if you give up your life
for Me,
you will find it.

"'To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.'" (Mark 12:33, NIV)

"What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice?  Listen!  Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams." (1 Samuel 15:22, NLT)

"'I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices.  I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.'" (Hosea 6:6, NLT)

"What can we bring to the LORD?  What kind of offerings should we give him? Should we bow before God with offerings of yearling calves?  Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil?...No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." 
(Micah 6:6-8, NLT)

"And now...what does the LORD your God require of you?  He requires only that you fear the LORD your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul." (Deuteronomy 10:12, NLT)

"You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.  You do not want a burnt offering.  The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit." (Psalm 51:16-17, NLT)

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship." (Romans 12:1, NIV)

"Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.  Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God." 
(2 Corinthians 2:14-15, NLT)

"Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!" (Psalm 141:2, ESV)

"He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less." (John 3:30, NLT)



Linked with:

SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS, THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY, MUSING MONDAYS, MODEST MONDAY, MOTIVATION MONDAY, INSPIRE ME MONDAY, MOM-TO-MOM MONDAYS, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, UNITE LINKUP, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, RA RA LINKUP, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, GLIMPSES LINKUP, WISE WOMAN, TELL HIS STORY, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, SITTING AMONG FRIENDS, GRACE MOMENTS, GROWING IN GRACE, THANKFUL THURSDAYS, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS, PARTY AT MY PLACE, SHINE BLOG HOP, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, GRACE AT HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, COZY READING SPOT, NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY, 100 HAPPY DAYS, WEDDED WEDNESDAY, THANKFUL THURSDAYS, FUNTASTIC FRIDAY, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, EVERYDAY TESTIMONY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FAITH 'N FRIENDS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, GRACE & TRUTH, DANCE WITH JESUS, TGI SATURDAYS, FRIDAY FEATURE PARTY, WORD OF GOD SPEAK, SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY, GIVE ME GRACE 



BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

MY WORD FOR 2016 - THE BIG REVEAL!

The time has come!

A new year, a new word…

Wordsmith that I am, I like the idea of having a *word* for the year.

I think it's a unique way for God to speak into your heart – a way to focus on what He wants to teach you in the coming year.

And so, I was on the alert the last two months of last year, listening and waiting for Him to reveal His thoughts on the matter.

Well, this year He did indeed speak.

And the word He gave me is…

GRATEFUL.

Hmmm.

I wasn't quite sure I wanted to hear this word.

And, if you think I was protesting, you should have heard the heckling from Nervous Nellie and Negative Nora!

Nellie: "Oh dear.  You know that God's going to teach you gratitude by giving you a bunch of stuff you're not thankful for, right?  What terrible things are you going to have to be grateful for that you don't want?  I'm scared to be grateful, it might jinx things."

Nora: "Oh no.  That's a terrible word.  I don't feel like being grateful.  I like complaining and grumbling and moaning.  Count your blessings, shmessings. Life is hard, and there are so many unhappy things in life.  Who could be grateful in a world like this?  Harumph."

Boy oh boy, do those girls like to yak!

They are insistent and persistent and shrill.

Unfortunately, I listen to them.

(Please tell me that you caught the irony of my immediate reaction to the idea of being grateful – fear and negativity...)


Hence, I began a rather lengthy inner dialogue with God over the next few weeks.  I suppose He listened, but He did NOT change His mind.  He confirmed this word over and over again.  

Including the time I showed up to church and the pastor announced a new sermon series on thankfulness…ahem.

But here's something interesting – at first I thought my word was going to be gratitude.

And yet, just a couple of weeks ago, it changed to grateful.

I pondered that…

Was it just a change of semantics?

What I began to understand was this – gratitude is a noun, a some thing.

I have gratitude.

Almost like a possession.

But grateful is an adjective, and it describes some one.

I am grateful.

A character trait instead.

Maybe it's a small difference, but it has begun to make a big difference in how I view this word.

I don't think God is going to be satisfied with me simply possessing gratitude - somehow that seems like it stops at an intellectual level.

I have gratitude for this and that...

No, I think God wants more – He wants to transform something fundamental about me.  He wants to move beyond my mind into my heart.

He wants to make me a grateful person.

This does not come naturally.

And this is why I begin this year with a struggle.


I know that many of you have read Ann Voskamp's book, "One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are."  

And I know that many of you would say that it's been life-changing.

But I have never been an innately optimistic person.

Sure, I express gratitude for things, I show appreciation for people, I can be thankful when it comes right down to it.

But an Ebenezer Scrooge lurks deep within my soul.

And when he heard my word, he muttered…

BAH.

(I think Ebenezer is the grandfather of Nellie and Nora…)


OK, so this is the word.

GRATEFUL.

Why is this word so important?

Because gratitude is a really big deal to God.

Part of the reason God judges the human race is because they do not give Him thanks – 

"For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened." (Romans 1:21, ESV)

And if gratefulness is important to God, you can be assured that the enemy will fight against it. 

After all, isn't that exactly what he did in the Garden of Eden?  He tried to convince Adam and Eve that God was withholding something from them, that He wasn't the Great Giver of Good Gifts.

(Commentary from Matthew Henry: "It is the craft of Satan to speak of the Divine law as uncertain or unreasonable, and so to draw people to sin…Satan teaches men first to doubt, and then to deny.  He promises advantage from their eating this fruit.  He aims to make them discontented with their present state, as if it were not so good as it might be, and should be.")

Yes, the enemy is the father of discontent.  

And when the seeds of discontent are allowed to germinate, they sprout into the weeds of grumbling, complaining, thoughtlessness, faultfinding, cynicism, anger, and bitterness.

Just exactly the opposite of being grateful.


Yes, Lord, You have made no mistake in choosing this word for me.

However, I'm not gonna lie, so far being grateful feels like wearing a coat that's too big, or too small – it just doesn't fit right.  

And the journey of making it fit is going to require me getting bigger – moving past my narrow, nervous, negative way of looking at life – and smaller – learning how to be humble enough to show gratitude for the many gifts I've been given, none of which I deserve.


GRATEFUL.

So how am I going to live it out?

At first, I'm going to start by thinking of one thing that I'm grateful for each day.

JUST. ONE. THING.

(C'mon, guys – I'm like a kid learning how to walk.  It's going to take some crawling at first, lots of tripping and falling and bumping my head...)

This process feels uncomfortable to me, rather arbitrary – kinda forced and stilted – perhaps even a bit insincere (especially on those horrible, no good, very bad days)?

But a journey begins with small steps, and this is the way I'm starting…


The Lord has been so clear that this is *THE WORD* for the coming year.

And though I am squirming a bit, I am excited to see what changes God is going to bring in me.

It feels a lot like a continuation of the last two years – the years of joy and healing.

For what can bring more joy than seeing God’s gracious providence and goodness in each day?!

And what can bring more healing than learning to be grateful every day?!

Lord, I thank You for this word, and for the journey it begins.

May it permeate my thoughts, capture my feelings, and transform my spirit.


G ratitude is
R emembering
A ll
T hings
E manate
F rom
U ndeserved
L ove


HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
you'll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun
come shining through
for you...

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be
ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is
still worthwhile...

If you just smile.


(A Song by Charlie Chaplin)

You can find today's Scripture verses on my new page, 2016 VERSES ON BEING GRATEFUL.

Except for this (which I have personalized), from Psalm 145 (Amplified Bible):

"I will exalt You, my God, O King,
and [with gratitude and submissive wonder] 
I will bless Your name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless You and lovingly praise You;
yes, [with awe-inspired reverence] 
I will praise Your name forever and ever.
Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised,
and His greatness is [so vast and profound as to be] 
unsearchable [incomprehensible to man]. 
One generation shall praise Your works to another,
and I shall declare Your mighty and remarkable acts.
On the glorious splendor of Your majesty
and on Your wonderful works, I will meditate.
I will speak of the power of Your awesome acts,
and [with gratitude and submissive wonder] 
I will tell of Your greatness.
I will overflow [like a fountain] 
when I speak of Your great and abundant goodness
and I will sing joyfully of Your righteousness.
The Lord is gracious and full of compassion,
slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. 
The Lord is good to me,
and His tender mercies are over all His works 
[the entirety of things created].
All Your works shall give thanks to You and praise You, O Lord,
and Your godly ones will bless You.
I shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom
and talk of Your power,
to make known...Your mighty acts
and the glorious majesty of Your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and Your dominion endures throughout all generations. 
The Lord upholds me when I fall
and raises me up when I am bowed down.
My eyes look to You [in hopeful expectation],
and You give me food in due time.
You open Your hand
and satisfy my desires.
The Lord is [unwaveringly] righteous in all His ways
and gracious and kind in all His works. 
The Lord is near to me when I call on Him,
when I call on Him in truth (without guile).
He will fulfill the desire of those who fear and worship Him 
[with awe-inspired reverence and obedience];
He also will hear my cry and will save me.
The Lord keeps all who love Him,
but all the wicked He will destroy.
My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
And my flesh will bless and gratefully praise 
His holy name forever and ever."



NOTE: In order to incorporate a grateful attitude into my daily life, and to keep at it, I'm adding some NEW FEATURES.

Accountability is a good thing!

First of all, you'll find a section called "Daily Grateful Word" on my sidebar – in which I list the one thing I chose to be thankful for each day of the past week.  Then, I'm adding a new page called "Daily Grateful Thoughts" – in which I expand on my feelings about my grateful word. 


I'm adding some other features, too.

Here's the new stuff!!

Sidebar Features:

My Word for 2016
My Verse for 2016
Daily Grateful Word
A Word from the Word – (weekly Bible verse)
A "Message" from God – (weekly Bible verse from The Message)
Food For Thought – (picking one of my grateful words, and a question to prompt your thoughts)

New pages:

Daily Grateful Thoughts 
2016 Verses on Being Grateful 
2016 Quotes on Being Grateful 
2016 Essays on Being Grateful 
2016 Grateful Songs 

What's your new word for 2016?



Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, PLAYDATES WITH GOD, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, GRATEFUL HEART MONDAY, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, UNITE LINKUP, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, RA RA LINKUP, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, INTENTIONAL TUESDAY, THE (NOT JUST) HOMEMAKING PARTY, TELL HIS STORY, WISE WOMAN, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY, SITTING AMONG FRIENDS, THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, GRACE AT HOME, SHINE BLOG HOP, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, COZY READING SPOT, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, EVERYDAY TESTIMONY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FAITH 'N FRIENDS, GRACE & TRUTH, ESSENTIAL FRIDAYS, NO RULES BLOG PARTY, COFFEE SHOP CONVERSATIONS, DANCE WITH JESUS, WEEKEND WHISPERS, TGI SATURDAYS, SUNDAY STILLNESS, SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY, GIVE ME GRACE, SOCIAL BUTTERFLY SUNDAY




BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

POUTING IS RIDICULOUS

And so am I.

Here's how I know…

Sometimes I find myself stuck in a *place* – stuck as the hostess at a big ol' Pity Party, where plenty of whine is served.

Yeah, it's all-too-easy for me to get stuck in a negative place.

I might have explanations for it, but these rarely make good excuses. 

So, here I was last week, fighting a cold, doing the taxes, thinking on life, and feeling sorry for myself.  (By the way, I have found that if you look for the clouds, the silver lining rarely appears – just sayin')

"The Hub" and I decided one day to head down the hill to do some *city things* we needed to do – the banking, the pharmacy, the car insurance, etc.  And, on this trip, we added this to our list – a visit to the BIG supermarket chain.

There is a wonderful little grocery store here in town, and we usually do our shopping up here.  It's convenient, and we like to support the local community.  But, once in awhile, we like to do a "big shopping", stocking up on non-refrigerated items, and it's good to get the savings down the hill.

On this day, we were also on a mission for church. 

You see, we have a local Help Center, a sort of thrift shop in town.  But it's also a place where the less-than-fortunate can get much-needed necessities – like food.  And once a year our church has a food drive to help them re-stock the shelves.

So, this is the setting in which I found myself – a big supermarket down the hill – the setting in which I found out how silly it is to pout.

As "The Hub" and I filled up the cart, I was pondering.  But when we started filling up the cart with food items that were obviously meant for children's lunch boxes, I started tearing up.  All I could picture was the faces of those kids.  How grateful they would be to have a juice box, or a peach cup, or a fruit roll-up.

It brought back so many memories of packing sack lunches for my boys.  The thoughts and feelings that I had when I did it – the love I had for them, the warm sense of being able to care for them, and provide nourishment for their day.

That's when it came to me – in some small way, we were giving other parents the ability to provide for their children.  Something they just might not be able to do on their own.

I'm not kidding, it brought me to near sobs right there in the aisle.

"The Hub" caught my eye – wondering and worrying about why I was on the verge of a melt-down.

All I could get out was something to the effect of how very foolish I had been lately.  How self-absorbed.  How short-sighted.

How my pouting had been so ridiculous.

I had been whining about superfluous things, when people were worried about enough food to eat.

I prayed right there in the aisle, asking the Lord to forgive me for being so shallow.  For losing sight of what's important.  For forgetting to thank Him for all the blessings that He bestows on my family…and me.

And I thanked Him for the privilege of being His hands and feet to those who are needy.

Though it's greatly uncomfortable when the Holy Spirit brings me to a moment of conviction, I am grateful that He does.

Because sometimes I really, really need it.  I need that moment of pause.  I need to be reminded of how *alive and well* that sinful nature is inside of me.

I need to be shown, once again, that all I have is His.  It all belongs to Him, and I am only the blessed receiver of gifts given to me by The Gracious Giver.  And, because of that, I also have the solemn responsibility to share His gifts with others…

I am blessed to be a blessing.

You are, too.

Pass it on…

Make us, we beseech thee, faithful stewards of thy great bounty. 

"And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded." (Matthew 10:42, NLT)

"Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done." (Proverbs 19:17, NIV)

"And the angel replied, 'Your prayers and gifts to the poor have been received by God as an offering!'" (Acts 10:4, NLT)

"You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" (Acts 20:35, NLT)

"When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required." (Luke 12:48, NLT)

"Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full--pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap." (Luke 6:38, NLT)

"Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too...Do everything without complaining and arguing...shining like bright lights..." (Philippians 2:4, 14-15, NLT)

What can you do today to bless someone else?

(SIDENOTE:  Might I just add that this post had absolutely nothing to do with any commentary about our generosity - but it is all about my attitude, and my conviction that God calls me to something bigger and better than complaining.  Besides, pouting causes wrinkles!!)

Linked today with:

Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY
Michelle at HEAR IT ON SUNDAY, USE IT ON MONDAY
Laura at PLAYDATES WITH GOD
Jen at SOLI DEO GLORIA
Hazel at TELL ME A TRUE STORY
Jen at UNITE
Rachel at WHIMSICAL WEDNESDAYS
Tracy at WINSOME WEDNESDAY
Rosilind at A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS
Judith at WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY
Kasey at WALKING REDEEMED
Beth at THREE WORD WEDNESDAY
Jenifer at WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY
Lyli at THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY
Crystal at THRIVING THURSDAY
Mel at ESSENTIAL FRIDAYS
Laura at FAITH FILLED FRIDAY
Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS
Bonnie at FAITH BARISTA JAM
Sandy at STILL SATURDAY
Barbie at WEEKEND BREW
Janis at SUNDAY STILLNESS
Julie at FELLOWSHIP FRIDAYS

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

TURKEY THOUGHTS - JUST FOR FUN!

From a turkey…

Ahem.

Today, just a few days from Thanksgiving, I thought it might be fun to write about the various *traditional* things that we eat on that special day.

Let the frivolity commence!


1)  Turkey –

Wild turkeys have very powerful legs and can run at speeds up to 25 miles per hour.  Their top speed in flight is 55 miles per hour.  (I don’t want to mention the other guys who don't get away…)  Also, evidently they eventually get their revenge in the speed department – for, after eating turkey, we are usually rendered semi-conscious in a tryptophan stupor and can NOT move off the couch.  0 mph.


2)  Mashed potatoes –

Did you know that potato plants are usually pollinated by insects such as bumblebees?  Me neither.

OK, this is a bit long, but I found this information from Wikipedia fascinating:

Antoine-Augustin Parmentier is remembered as a vocal promoter of the potato as a food source for humans in France and throughout Europe.  Thanks largely to his efforts, the Paris Faculty of Medicine declared potatoes edible in 1772. Still, resistance continued, and Parmentier therefore began a series of publicity stunts for which he remains notable today, often hosting dinners at which potato dishes featured prominently.  It is said that he ran a competition for various recipes using the potato. He then went on to win it apparently (cheeky fellow!) with his recipe for mashed potato.

Another tidbit: What song do these lyrics come from?  "I can mash-potato…And I can do the twist…"

Potato nicknames include: tater, spud, tuber.

(Answer: "Do You Love Me?" by The Contours)


3)  Yam or Sweet Potato –

What's the difference?  Found these interesting facts:  Although yams and sweet potatoes are both angiosperms (flowering plants), they are not related botanically.  Yams are closely related to lilies and grasses.  Sweet potatoes are members of the morning glory family.  And, unless you specifically search for yams, which are usually found in an international market, you are probably eating sweet potatoes!  Which might not really matter to you, but the "I Yam What I Yam Society" is up in arms over the confusion.  (Popeye is the unofficial spokesperson…)


4)  Green Bean Casserole –

This seems to be a favorite at many Thanksgiving tables.  My family loves it – except "The Hub."  He is what I like to call "texturally challenged" – and anything that has soup involved is on his DO NOT EAT LIST.  He will not come near soup, even struggles with holding a ladle.  He'll do it, in an emergency, but only at arm's length.  As for the rest of the family – an extra can of French-fried onions is usually bought, just for random munching.


5)  Jello –

A lot of people also have some sort of Jello salad at Thanksgiving.  However, this is also another of "The Hub's" DO NOT EAT foods.  He says it looks slimy and reminds him of the hospital.  I've always liked Jello, except my love for it has been compromised by recent pre-procedure prep diets.

Also, did you know that Jello should be more accurately termed gelatin?  Jello is in fact a brand name.  Other brand names that have come to mean the thing they represent:  Bandaid, Kleenex, Xerox, Jeep, Boogie Board, Levis, Frisbee, Jacuzzi, Q-Tip, Styrofoam, and Vaseline – just to name a few.  Bonus points if you can think of others.  And a huge Extra Credit if you know the *grammar* name for these.

(Answer: Eponyms)


6)  Corn –

A fun corn fact?  Did you know corn has an incredibly long shelf life? Archeologists have been able to pop 1,000-year-old popcorn!  Orville Redenbacher, watch out!  Cleopatra might give you some competition in the crunchy corn snack department.  Sometimes my family also includes corn along with the Green Bean Casserole.  It's a nice alternative for "The Hub." However, creamed corn must NEVER come near – either for him OR for me. Major yuck.


7)  Stuffing/dressing –

A favorite!!  I have been known to make an entire meal out of leftover stuffing.  Cold, reheated, I'm not particular.  I've even resorted to Stove-Top. It's all good.  Have you ever tried putting stuffing in between two slices of bread?  A stuffing sandwich?  I have – delish!  However, if you eat too much you just might end up feeling...wait for it...STUFFED.  (I hear a collective groan out there.  C'mon people, puns are good for you).


8)  Gravy –

Again, gravy is not on "The Hub's" plate.  But, I have been known to put *boatloads* on mine.  (Get the pun – gravy boat-loads?)  A fun personal family fact.  One year my mom just got sick and tired of slaving over gravy made from scratch – only to have my dad complain about the lumps.  So, one year she swore me to secrecy, and got the gravy in bottles.  (The bottled evidence was quickly bussed directly into the trash cans outside).  She poured the bottled gravy into the saucepan, added some turkey drippings, and stirred and stirred and stirred.   That year, my dad RAVED about Mom's gravy.  I'll forgive her the deception.  She deserved the accolades after the "joys" of preparing a meal with my dad.  "The turkey's gonna dry out if everything else isn't ready on time!" (Repeat 50 times).  He was a mechanical engineer.  'Nuff said.


9)  Cranberry –

Got these fun facts from the Ocean Spray website: The cranberry gets its name from Dutch and German settlers, who nicknamed it the "crane berry." When cranberry vines bloom in the late spring, the pale flowers resemble the head and bill of a crane.  The cranberry is one of only a handful of major fruits native to North America.  Others include the blueberry and Concord grape. Also, cranberries bounce!  (Oh great, I can see it now – cranberry-bouncing to accompany the roll-tossing that already occurs).


10)  Dinner Rolls –

So yes, we have rolls at our Thanksgiving table.  As if we needed some more carbs.  And yes, one year the rolls did not get passed around the table – they got *passed* – as in quarterback – heaved to the proper receiver.  I am embarrassed to say that this did not happen years ago when my kids and their cousins were young.  Nope, this happened with six teenagers and 20-somethings who knew better.  And one 50-something, I'm embarrassed to say.  Though I did discover that I have a very good arm.  (Call me the Peyton Manning of the bread world).


11)  Pickles and Olives –

No, this is not a traditional addition to the Thanksgiving table, unless you grew up in my personal family.  My boys and I LOVE sweet pickles and black olives to accompany our Thanksgiving meal.  The boys traditionally bring this as their participation in the meal.  Mostly because we eat almost all of them by ourselves.  And yes, adults still love putting olives on the tips of fingers, and wiggling them around before ingesting.  (That would be me!)


12)  Ham –

Some people also have ham at Thanksgiving.  My family does not.  We have ham at Christmas.  And our favorite, hands down, is the honey-baked variety. With the champagne mustard.  But, I'm wondering something.  If potatoes are pollinated by bumblebees, do honey-baked hams come from bee-stung pigs?  Poor piggies – sort of a double whammie if you ask me.


13)  Pumpkin Pie –

A long-standing tradition.  I'm not a big fan of pumpkin pie, though I have grown to like it better recently.  (Do I even need to tell you about "The Hub's" opinion on this?  He has NEVER taken a bite of ANY sort of pie in his ENTIRE life.  Like I said, texturally challenged).  I think I was initially put off by the appearance of pumpkin pie.  It's not a particularly pretty pie.  Neither is mincemeat, rhubarb, or pecan pie.  They all sorta remind me of fruitcake – which I think is icky-looking.  Not good, except for maybe using as a doorstop. (And I sincerely apologize to all of you out there who choose to disagree with me!)

Interesting trivia fact: The pie that made the Guinness Book of World Records weighed a whopping 3,699 pounds after it was baked by the New Bremen Giant Pumpkin Growers in New Bremen, Ohio in 2010.  The unveiling of the monster pumpkin pie attracted a crowd of thousands. The finished pie spanned 20 feet.  The ingredients used to make it included 1,212 pounds of pumpkins, 109 gallons of evaporated milk, 7 pounds of salt, 233 dozen eggs, 525 pounds of sugar, and 14.5 pounds of cinnamon.  (I shudder at the thought of the winner of the "Biggest Fruitcake Contest").


14)  Other –

And, last but not least, two others from a list I looked up: Turducken – a concoction of a turkey stuffed with duck and chicken.  A proverbial favorite of John Madden – (former NFL football coach).  And, bread pudding – something that also makes "The Hub's" AND my DO NOT EAT LIST.  Even though I am a much-more omnivorous eater than my husband, some things remain texturally-unsound even for me.  Bread pudding is right up there with creamed corn…and Brussels sprouts…and lima beans.  Just sayin'...


So, just some FUN for Thanksgiving.

No message today, other than this…

May we all be conscious of the many, many things we have to be thankful for on this coming Thanksgiving Day.  And may we never forget that all that we have, and all that we are, comes from the Giver of All Blessings – our precious Lord.


The Bread of Life.

Our Provider.

The Source of Grace and Love and Salvation.


The One who nourishes us now, and will feed us forever from His Tree of Life.

On each side of the river grew a tree of life,
bearing twelve crops of fruit,
with a fresh crop each month.
No longer will anything be cursed.
For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there,
and his servants will worship him.
And they will see his face...

"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NLT)

"And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 5:20, NLT)

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:17, ESV)

"I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." (Psalm 34:1, NASB)



Two questions today:

What are you most grateful for this year?

Is there something on your Thanksgiving table that I haven't mentioned?
                                         

Linked today with:

Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY
Michelle at HEAR IT ON SUNDAY, USE IT ON MONDAY
Hazel at TELL ME A TRUE STORY
Jen at UNITE
Darlene at TITUS 2SDAYS
Laura at PLAYDATES WITH GOD
Rosilind at A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS
Judith at WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAYS 
Rachel at WHIMSICAL WEDNESDAYS
Tracy at WINSOME WEDNESDAY
Jacqueline at ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER
Jenifer at WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY
Laura at FAITH FILLED FRIDAY
Mel at ESSENTIAL FRIDAYS
Leslie at FAITHFUL FRIDAY
Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS
Barbie at WEEKEND BREW
Sandy at STILL SATURDAY
Janis at SUNDAY STILLNESS


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

I AM A PIECE OF BOLOGNA

Yes, just a piece of bologna.

(By the way, why is that pronounced "buh–lo–nee" and not "bo–log–nuh"?

I just want to know…though in my case, a piece of baloney might be more accurate…just sayin’)

A piece of bologna – firmly sandwiched in between my grown sons and my aging parents.

In fact, there is an actual term called The Sandwich Generation. Truly – looked it up on Wikipedia:

The Sandwich Generation is a generation of people who care for their aging parents while supporting their own children.

So, that would be me.

My sons are 27 and 30 – (how did THAT happen??) – and my folks are 83 and 80. (Sorry, Mom, for divulging that…)

And here's how life is playing out right now.

Sons #1 and #2 have moved out, but they still need Mom from time to time. It seems that those boys who were soooo eager to grow up – ("You're so lucky, Mom. You're a grown-up. You don't have to go to school") – have finally discovered the ugly truth.

Being an adult isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Life just gets more complicated. The issues are more confusing, and the answers aren't as straightforward. The world does its seductive best to steer you away from following Jesus. Money concerns rear their ugly heads – and job security (when jobs can be found) isn't what it used to be.

So, my sons need me – for listening, for advice, for counsel, for faith wisdom, for help.

It's a good thing, a blessed thing, when your all-grown-up-adult-children turn to you. When they talk with you, and want to spend time with you. I see so clearly how God is still using me as their mother. And I am grateful for the privilege.

On the other end of the spectrum are my folks.

Who are becoming more and more like children.

They are becoming increasingly more dependent on me. Their lives are getting more complicated, with confusing issues and answers that aren't so straightforward. They are navigating a new journey through old age – and it's a treacherous path. They are sometimes scared, sometimes unsure – often just overwhelmed and daunted.

So, my parents need me – for listening, for advice, for counsel, for faith wisdom, for help.

It's a good thing, a blessed thing, when your aging-childlike-parents turn to you. When they talk with you, and want to spend time with you. I see so clearly how God is still using me as their daughter. And I am grateful for the privilege.

But boy oh boy, this bologna gets tired.

Those bread slices *sandwich* me pretty tight sometimes, and I am weary as of late.

There are times when I'm just at the end of what I can give. When I am unsure of what to say or do. When I don't have the energy to be what they need me to be. When my love doesn't seem like enough.

Does anyone understand?

As you know, I am having to spend more time with my parents. I recently spent a week with them. I truly hadn't felt like driving down there, but…

…they needed me.

And so I went.

And that is the essence of following another One who knows what it's like to be sandwiched.

Think about it.

Here's Jesus – firmly sandwiched between heaven and earth. Jesus – with the heart of God and of man within Him. An eternal being placed into time. Talking with God, and talking to humans. Capable of hearing angels, yet listening to critics. The Creator of Life, facing death.

Jesus – sandwiched between glory and dust.

Did He grow weary like me?

Oh yes, I'm sure He did. I can almost hear Him pray on the mountain, when He ventured there alone to speak with His Father:

"Father, there are times when I'm just at the end of what I can give. When I am unsure of what to say or do. When I don't have the energy to be what they need me to be. When my love doesn't seem like enough. Help me, Father."

So, why did He make the effort?

Because we needed Him.

Jesus did it out of love. 

A love that stretched beyond His weariness, and empowered Him with grace. A love that practiced patience, with sometimes difficult and stubborn people. A love that enabled Him to be a servant, when the work of serving was unrewarding. A love that listened and cared and forgave…

A love that stooped to wash the feet of some really dirty disciples.

A Love that died, so that we might reap the benefits.

So, I count it as a privilege that I have been called to be a piece of bologna. Because in some way, I feel like I am sharing in the great mission of sacrificial love that Jesus brought to this world – the love that Jesus brought to me.

I am serving Him by serving others.

And I count that a real joy and blessing.

(Could I just have a little more mayonnaise, please?)

I will bloom where I am planted.

"Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, 'Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.'"  (Mark 9:35, NIV)

"In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35, ESV)

"A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed." (Proverbs 11:25, NIV)

"Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full--pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back." 
(Luke 6:38, NLT)

"So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up." (Galatians 6:9, NLT)

"...serve one another humbly in love.  For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Galatians 5:13-14, NIV)

How are you serving God when it's tough to do so?

(NOTE: This was a very timely re-post).

Linked today with:

Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY
Michelle at HEAR IT ON SUNDAY, USE IT ON MONDAY

Hazel at TELL ME A TRUE STORY

Jen at UNITE

Salina at HEART REFLECTED

Rachel at WHIMSICAL WEDNESDAY
Shari at WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY
Tracy at WINSOME WEDNESDAY
Judith at WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY
Nannette at WISDOM WEDNESDAY
Rosilind at A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS

Wanda at THE FRIDAY FIVE
Laura at FAITH FILLED FRIDAY

Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS
Leslie at FAITHFUL FRIDAY

Sandra at STILL SATURDAY

Barbie at WEEKEND BREW

Janis at SUNDAY STILLNESS

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"