A POEM FOR MOM

Mother's Day is this coming Sunday.

I am so glad that my mother is still alive, and this year I am more grateful for her presence in my life than ever before - still my mom, still my friend.

To honor her, and the blessed calling of motherhood, I am sharing a poem I wrote several years ago.

Hope you enjoy it!

A MOTHER

She carries you for nine months,

Then cares for you

Forever...

She watches out for you

when you are young,

Then watches over you

for a lifetime...

She holds you closely in her arms

for a while,

Then tightly in her heart

Always...

She is there through every change,

Then never changes 

herself...

She teaches you about life,

Then lets you leave home...

and live -

A mother is

every gift of God

wrapped up in one person -

Joy, Peace

Patience, Kindness, Goodness

Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control

And most of all...

Love.

Though I am no longer a child,

I will always be 

My mother's child

And that is comfort personified -

My mother is

A safe place to be

A soft place to fall

A refuge in every storm...

She calms the winds of life

And helps smooth

the paths

I have chosen to walk.

I have never questioned 

Her love

or her faithfulness,

My faith in her

has never faltered...

She is the sun

that rises every morning,

And the promise

of a new day.

She is

The keeper of secrets,

The spark

to my dreams,

The footsteps

that walk beside me -

She is the one

on the sidelines

who whispers quietly,

with hands

folded in prayer

and

tears in her eyes,

"Go...go...go,

I'm here."

She is 

The quiet heartbeat

that keeps time

with my own...

My mother is

My best friend,

The beacon

of my life...

My mother is home...

© Sharon Kirby

May 10, 2007

I LOVE YOU, MOM!!

What's a favorite memory or moment of yours with your mother?

Her children rise up
and call her
blessed. 

Thank you, Mom, for leading me to Jesus when I was young.

"Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone.  And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.  Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.  Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders.  Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." (Deuteronomy 6:4-9, NLT)


And thank you, Mom, for always showing me how to follow Him.

"Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it." (Proverbs 22:6, NLT)

**********

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all of you wonderful moms out there!!

**********

Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, 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, LIVING PROVERBS, REFLECT LINKUP, US, COFFEE & JESUS, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, UNITE LINKUP, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, RA RA LINKUP, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, INTENTIONAL TUESDAY, WISE WOMAN, THE HOMEMAKING PARTY, TELL HIS STORY, 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, WEDDED WEDNESDAY, ONE WORD COFFEE, WINSOME WEDNESDAY, GRACE MOMENTS, THANKFUL THURSDAYS, THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, PARTY AT MY PLACE, SHINE BLOG HOP, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, GRACE AT HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, COZY READING SPOT, NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY, 100 HAPPY DAYS, BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT PARTY, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, EVERYDAY TESTIMONY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FAITH 'N FRIENDS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, GRACE & TRUTH, DANCE WITH JESUS, TGI SATURDAYS, FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP & FAITH, FUNTASTIC FRIDAY, GROWING IN GRACE, WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY, WEEKEND WIND DOWN PARTY, LET US GROW, WORD OF GOD SPEAK, SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY, GIVE ME GRACE, SOCIAL BUTTERFLY SUNDAY




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!"

MARTY THE BEAGLE TALKS TO GOD

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!

I ate too much, talked non-stop, had so much fun, and didn't get nearly enough sleep!

But hey, isn't that what the holidays are for?!

Unfortunately, I am also a bit brain-dead...

So I'm re-posting something written a few years ago.  I think it's timely, as it talks about being thankful.  

Grateful.

Appreciative for the things we have, and for who we are.

It's a letter to God from my grandbeagle, Marty.

Who is one of the most appreciative creatures I know...



Dear Mr. God,

This is me, Marty the Beagle.

I just have something to say to You…OK?

I think You are a pretty cool guy! 

I know that You made me, and You take care of me. 

Thanks for that.

But I have a few questions.

How come people go around not wagging their tails? 

I mean, I'm happy every day.  It doesn't matter to me if it's raining or if it's sunny.  I just like being alive.  I've got water and food and toys and people to love me.

And I've got You.

So, I'm good.  What else do I need?

But people – it's like they don't even know You're up there.

They walk around with their faces all scrunched up with worried looks. 

They like this green stuff, they call it money, really a lot.  I don't get it.  It just looks like green paper to me (if I had the chance, I'd eat it just like I do the newspaper!) 

Why do they care about it so much?

They're always rushing around in these machines with tires on them.  Don't they know that you can see so much more with your nose to the ground? Sometimes I hear one of them say, "Take time to stop and smell the roses."  I do that every day (along with all the other things I smell – I am a hound, after all!) 

Why are they always in such a hurry?

Then they wear all these fancy things called "clothes."  I know that their *people rules* include putting this stuff on.  But I think they've forgotten their fur.  You know, the particular colors that make them who they are.  I've got three colors on me.  Brown, black, and white.  I think I look pretty awesome, because that's how You made me.

Why don't they appreciate how You made them?


Just one more thing…cause I know You're busy.

I like my life.

I like it because You gave it to me, and You're with me every day.

I appreciate a bowl of water, a good feast of kibble, a lengthy nap, a cuddle with my people, a soft blanket, toys to chew on (it's so much fun trying to get that squeaker thing out), and a couple of long walks a day.

Why aren't people thankful?


I think they think too much…about stuff that doesn't really matter.

I think they feel too much…about stuff that doesn't really matter.

Sometimes I don't think they know You…and You're all that really matters.


I don't think they wag their tails enough.


I'll go for now.  I'm thirsty, and I see a fly I'm going to try to catch.

Thanks for listening…I just had something to say to You.


Your friend,

Marty the Beagle


P.S.  Did I tell You that I think You are a pretty cool guy?!

All creatures
great and small,
The Lord God
made them all.

You care for people
and animals alike,
O LORD.
(Psalm 36:6)

"…God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him..." (Genesis 1:27, ESV)

"When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?  Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor." 
(Psalm 8:3-5, ESV)

"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.  Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!  Your workmanship is marvelous – how well I know it." (Psalm 139:13-14, NLT)

"For we are God's masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)

"For the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7, AMP)

"…beauty is something internal that can't be destroyed.  Beauty expresses itself in a gentle and quiet attitude which God considers precious." 
(1 Peter 3:4, GOD'S WORD)

"For the LORD your God...will take delight in you with gladness...He will rejoice over you with joyful songs." (Zephaniah 3:17, ESV)

Are you wagging your tail?!



Linked with:

PLAYDATES WITH GOD, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, GRATEFUL HEART MONDAY, REFLECT LINKUP, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, RA RA LINKUP, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, INTENTIONAL TUESDAY, UNITE LINKUP, TELL HIS STORY, WHOLEHEARTED HOME, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAY, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, WISE WOMAN, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY, JOYHOPELIVE LINKUP, THE (NOT JUST) HOMEMAKING PARTY, THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, EVERYDAY JESUS, GRACE AT HOME, SHINE LINKUP, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAYS, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, EVERYDAY TESTIMONY, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FAITH 'N FRIENDS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, FAITH & FELLOWSHIP, GRACE & TRUTH, DANCE WITH JESUS, ESSENTIAL FRIDAYS, SITTING AMONG FRIENDS, TGI SATURDAYS, WEEKEND WHISPERS, LIVING PROVERBS, SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY, WORD OF GOD SPEAK, GIVE ME GRACE, SOCIAL BUTTERFLY SUNDAY


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING

Black Friday.

Shopping.

I know that a lot of people just love venturing out on the day after Thanksgiving to trek through countless stores, scoping out the bargains, and buying bags and bags of *stuff.*

In fact, in 2014, $50.9 billion was spent during the 4-day Black Friday weekend – (yes folks, that's billion with a "B").  And, did you know, that figure is actually down 11% from the previous year?!

And have you noticed, the shopping extravaganza is starting earlier and earlier?

Now you can even go out on Thanksgiving Day!

Can you imagine that conversation around the pumpkin pie?? 

"Hey everyone, it's been a lot of fun.  Don't mean to eat and run, but I've got places to go and twenties to spend…"

I don't know about you, but even if I considered going out shopping on Black Friday, I'm not sure I'd be physically capable of it.

I usually wake up in a tryptophan-induced fog of turkey stupor.

And somehow I don't think pajamas and slippers are acceptable shopping attire.  (Though, if you're brave enough to go out in the middle of the night, they should be…)

Besides, leftovers, football, and naps all conspire to plant me firmly on the couch the entire next day.  (Wanna know my secret leftover vice?  Bowls of cold stuffing!)


So, though I probably won't be joining the Black Friday shopping mob, I am curious about how it all came about.

This is from Wikipedia:

"The day's name originated in Philadelphia, where it originally was used to describe the heavy and disruptive pedestrian and vehicle traffic that would occur on the day after Thanksgiving.  Use of the term started before 1961 and began to see broader use outside Philadelphia around 1975.  Later an alternative explanation was made: that retailers traditionally operated at a financial loss ("in the red") from January through November, and "Black Friday" indicates the point at which retailers begin to turn a profit, or are "in the black.")

Fascinating, huh?!


So, to all you intrepid adventurers out there, you brave souls who dare to courageously joust for parking spaces, who fearlessly fight the crunch of crowds, and thrive on hustle and bustle…

I say, "Huzzah!"

I wish you good shopping, good bargains, and good luck.

But, whether you sit home stuffing your face (like me), or spend your day stuffing your car with packages, might I encourage all of us to remember something?

Long, long ago, there was another Black Friday.

And on that day the Greatest Transaction of all took place.

A momentous deal – in which one Life was traded for our sins.

The Gift is there for the taking, already paid for, bought and purchased, free.

All we need to do is accept the gift, and take it home.


Yes, fellowship, family, food, and fun are highlights of this special holiday.

And yes, if you enjoy shopping, this is a great time for that, too.

But, better than anything, is The Gift.

The Greatest Bargain of all!


The first Thanksgiving Day was all about our Almighty God, the Creator of everything, and the Giver of good blessings.

The focus of thanksgiving was correctly aimed at the One who is responsible for everything we have – including our very lives.

The correct view of things is that this is a day to give thanks to God.

God to whom we owe our hearts.  God who gave His Son as a sacrifice for us.  God who loves us beyond measure.  God who gives us abundance in this life, and a hope for life everlasting!

The Giver.

The Gift.

The *deal of a lifetime* – a forever gift of grace – purchased with blood and freely given.

All wrapped up in Love.



HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Again,
the kingdom of heaven
is like a merchant
in search of fine pearls.
And upon
finding
a single pearl
of great value,
he went and sold
all that he had
and bought it.

Salvation is priceless.

***(This next part is optional – just for fun!!)***

Here's some added trivia in case you need something to read while digesting the 10 pounds of food you just "stuffed" into your belly!  (Or if you want to impress all those relatives with your scintillating knowledge of random and inconsequential facts.  I've added a little commentary here and there to keep you awake):


1.  Though many competing claims exist, the most familiar story of the first Thanksgiving took place in Plymouth Colony, in present-day Massachusetts, in 1621.  (The Pilgrims wore their best black and white.  The Indians wore…well, next to nothing).

2.  The Wampanoag Indians were the people who taught the Pilgrims how to cultivate the land.  The Pilgrim leader, Governor William Bradford, had organized the first Thanksgiving feast in 1621.  He invited the neighboring Wampanoag Indians to the feast.  (Perhaps he really took to heart the words of Jesus – "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:39, ESV)

3.  The first Thanksgiving celebration lasted three days.  (Which is the average amount of time most people sleep after the Thanksgiving feast…)

4.  Lobster, rabbit, chicken, fish, squashes, beans, chestnuts, hickory nuts, onions, leeks, dried fruits, maple syrup and honey, radishes, cabbage, carrots, eggs, and goat cheese are thought to have made up the first Thanksgiving feast.  (Actually, that sounds pretty good!  Guess I better start putting out my lobster traps…)

5.  The pilgrims didn't use forks; they ate with spoons, knives, and their fingers.  (In my family, this tradition often continues…)

6.  Congress finally made Thanksgiving Day an official national holiday by passing a law on December 26, 1941, ensuring that all Americans would celebrate a unified Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November every year.  (Was that the last time we were unified on anything in this country??)

7.  Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national bird of the United States.  (A bald turkey just isn't quite as majestic to me as a bald eagle… just sayin')

8.  The average weight of a turkey purchased at Thanksgiving is 15 pounds. (Which feels like the amount I ate...let's not talk about the scale...)

9.  The heaviest turkey ever raised was 86 pounds, about the size of a large dog.  (Good grief.  Can you even imagine?!  Great Dane?  Nothing compared to a Great Turkey…)

10.  A 15 pound turkey usually has about 70 percent white meat and 30 percent dark meat.  (Personally, I'm a dark meat fan – how about you?)

11.  The five most popular ways to serve leftover turkey is as a sandwich, in stew, chili or soup, casseroles and as a burger.  (I prefer not to serve any "leftover turkey" at my house.  I usually just tell them to leave – "Uncle Joe, you turkey, you need to GO HOME NOW!")

12.  Turkey has more protein than chicken or beef.  (Didn't know that one…)

13.  In the US, about 280 million turkeys are sold for the Thanksgiving celebrations.  (Why do I always feel so sorry for the turkeys?  Poor things. Delicious – but still...)

14.  Each year, the average American eats somewhere between 16-18 pounds of turkey.  (Do any of you eat turkey on other occasions?  Or do you inhale that 16-18 pounds in one sitting??)

15.  Californians are the largest consumers of turkey in the United States. (Doesn't surprise me – I've always thought my state was full of the most "turkeys" in the nation…)

16.  Although Thanksgiving is widely considered an American holiday, it is also celebrated on the second Monday in October in Canada.  (Hmmm…didn't know that one.  Guess Canada has a lot to be thankful for, too!)

17.  Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving in the United States, where it is the beginning of the traditional Christmas shopping season.  (And, incidentally, the beginning of the traditional nervous breakdown season, outrageous debt season, and road rage mania season that sweeps this country. *This isn't true – I made it up…*)

18.  The American Automobile Association (AAA) estimated that 46.6 million Americans traveled 50 miles or more from home over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in 2014.  (Maybe this has something to do with the beginning of the aforementioned road rage phenomenon…)

19.  Cranberry production in the U.S. is expected to reach 8.72 million barrels in 2014.  Wisconsin, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon and Washington are the top cranberry growing states.  (Gotta love cranberries – they're tart and tangy – just like me...)

20.  Illinois, California, Pennsylvania and New York are the major pumpkin growing states.  Total U.S. production was 1.3 billion pounds in 2014 – 17% above 2013.  Illinois remains the leading producer of pumpkins, with a majority processed into pie filling and other uses.  (Ever heard of the GNP? You thought it meant Gross National Product.  Nope.  Gourd National Product…)

21.  U.S. sweet potato production reached a record high 29 million hundredweight (cwt) in 2014.  Since 1971, North Carolina has been the top sweet potato producer in the United States, producing 53 percent of all sweet potatoes grown in the country last year.  Other leading sweet potato producers included California and Mississippi.  The top producing states together generated over 2.4 billion pounds of these tasty tubers.  (I say po-tay-to.  Do you say po-tah-to??  And is anyone old enough to remember the song that started that pronunciation battle?  Oh, let's call the whole thing off.
The song, "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" was written by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 film "Shall We Dance" and was performed by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers as part of a celebrated dance duet on roller skates...)

22.  According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest pumpkin pie ever baked weighed 2,020 pounds and measured just over 12 feet long.  It was baked on October 8, 2005 by the New Bremen Giant Pumpkin Growers in Ohio, and included 900 pounds of pumpkin, 62 gallons of evaporated milk, 155 dozen eggs, 300 pounds of sugar, 3.5 pounds of salt, 7 pounds of cinnamon, 2 pounds of pumpkin spice and 250 pounds of crust.  (I don't care how big that thing was – I'm just not a fan of pumpkin pie.  I think it's the texture or something.  And don't even get me started on mincemeat pie.  No, I'll take apple pie or some kind of berry pie instead, any day – in fact, why don't you slice me up a piece right now...)

23.  So, why are you sleepy after a big turkey dinner?  It's a combination of the type of food (carbs, fats, L-tryptophan), amount of food, and celebratory atmosphere.  (Zzzzzzzz…)



Some verses to help you sing praises to our Almighty God, our Gracious Savior, and our Comforting Holy Spirit:


"Yours, O Lord,
is the greatness, the power,
the glory, the victory,
and the majesty.
Everything in the heavens
and on earth is Yours,
O Lord,
and this is Your kingdom.
We adore You
as the One who is over all things.
Wealth and honor come from You alone,
for You rule over everything.
Power and might are in Your hand,
and at Your discretion
people are made great and given strength.
O our God,
we thank You
and praise Your glorious name!"
(1 Chronicles 29:11-13, NLT)


"You have turned my mourning into dancing for me;
You have put off my sackcloth
and girded me with gladness,
To the end that my tongue
and my heart
and everything glorious within me
may sing praise to You
and not be silent.
O Lord my God,
I will give thanks to You forever."
(Psalm 30:11-12, AMP)


"He who offers
a sacrifice of thanksgiving
honors Me;
And to him who orders his way aright
I shall show the salvation of God."
(Psalm 50:23, NASB)


"It is good to praise the Lord
and make music to your name,
O Most High,
to proclaim Your love in the morning
and Your faithfulness at night...
For You make me glad by your deeds, O Lord;
I sing for joy at the works of Your hands.
How great are Your works, O Lord,
how profound Your thoughts!"
(Psalm 92:1-5, NIV)


"O come, let us sing unto the LORD:
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving,
and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
For the LORD is a great God,
and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the deep places of the earth:
the strength of the hills is his also.
The sea is his, and he made it:
and his hands formed the dry land.
O come, let us worship and bow down:
let us kneel before the LORD our maker."
(Psalm 95:1-6, KJV)


"Make a joyful noise unto the Lord,
all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness:
come before His presence with singing.
Know ye that the Lord
He is God:
it is He that hath made us,
and not we ourselves;
we are His people,
and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
and into His courts with praise:
be thankful unto Him,
and bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting;
and His truth endureth to all generations."
(Psalm 100, KJV)


"Because of the Lord's great love
we are not consumed,
for His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness.
I say to myself,
'The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for Him.'
The Lord is good
to those whose hope is in Him,
to the one who seeks Him;
it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord."
(Lamentations 3:22-26, NIV)


"Each one of you is part of the body of Christ,
and you were chosen to live together in peace.
So let the peace that comes from Christ
control your thoughts.
And be grateful.
Let the message about Christ
completely fill your lives,
while you use all your wisdom
to teach and instruct each other.
With thankful hearts,
sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.
Whatever you say or do
should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus,
as you give thanks to God the Father
because of Him."
(Colossians 3:15-17, CEV)


"Give thanks no matter what happens.
God wants you to thank Him
because you believe in Christ Jesus."
(1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV)


"Everything God created is good,
and to be received with thanks.
Nothing is to be sneered at and thrown out.
God's Word and our prayers
make every item in creation holy."
(1 Timothy 4:4-5, MSG)



So, what are you doing to celebrate Thanksgiving, and where will you be when you sit down to dinner?



Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, PLAYDATES WITH GOD, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, GRATEFUL HEART MONDAY, REFLECT LINKUP, WORDS WITH WINTER, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, UNITE LINKUP, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, RA RA LINKUP, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, TELL HIS STORY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, WISE WOMAN, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY, JOYHOPELIVE LINKUP, THE (NOT JUST) HOMEMAKING PARTY, THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS, EVERYDAY JESUS, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FAITH 'N FRIENDS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, FAITH & FELLOWSHIP, GRACE & TRUTH, TGI SATURDAYS, DANCE WITH JESUS, ESSENTIAL FRIDAYS, WEEKEND WHISPERS, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAY, SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY, WORD OF GOD SPEAK, GIVE ME GRACE




BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

JUST STOP IT!

I have an alter ego.

Her name is Negative Nora.

Actually, I have two alter egos.  Nora has a twin called Nervous Nellie.  She can be quite annoying, but today we're talking about Nora.

Sometimes she takes up residence inside of me.

And sometimes I don't even know it until "The Hub" says, in the kindest way, "You know, I just can't listen any more right now.  I'm worn out."

It's true.

Negative thinking is burdensome...to the thinker and the listener.

I have to admit, sometimes when I feel compelled to air out my feelings, to share my heart, Nora has a tendency to take over the conversation.

And she has a bad habit of reciting a litany of negative things.

You know, stuff like this:

"It's a beautiful day, but I have a terrible headache."

"This is a pretty dress, but it'll probably make me look fat."

"Thanks for doing the laundry, honey, but you hung up my shirts backwards."

(Yes, I have said that to my husband.  My southpaw, left-handed husband.)


I think you get the gist of how Nora thinks.

She sometimes says good stuff, but always adds that negative spin at the end.  Yup, Nora's thoughts always have a *but* attached to them...


So, I was talking about this with a dear friend the other day (you know who you are out there!!), and we tried to figure out two things – 

1) How have we fallen into this pattern of thinking and speaking?
2) How do we get out of it?

One thing we agreed on was the idea that the whole attitude of joy has to be intentional.  

Some people are just happy-go-lucky by nature.  Not me.  I tend to be a grumpy-go-gloomy, glass-half-empty (there's a glass??) kind of girl.  So, joy is not something that bubbles up inside of me because of my innate sunny temperament.

And, we also agreed that gratitude has a lot to do with joy.

If Nora and Nellie, negativity and nervousness, are twins – then their counterparts have to be Joy and Gratitude.

I'm a bit dismayed that I'm going to have to work on being joy-full.  It seems counterintuitive, in a way – to work at something positive.  But, when Nora lives inside of you, sometimes it does require intentional work to silence her.

I know this is true because often when I've been told to "count my blessings," my first reaction is to grumble, "I don't want to count my blessings.  I want to be in a bad mood."

Oooo, Nora is a stubborn girl.


My friend and I also talked about what we think might be causing this current negative slant on life.  We thought of several commonalities in our lives.  Middle-age angst, family situations, stressful upheavals, aging parents, health challenges, etc – you know, the general *stuff* of life that plagues us all in one way or the other.

But we also acknowledged that negativity can become a habit, a comfortable way of thinking and speaking that can insidiously become 
second-nature if we're not careful.  

Like I said, Nora can become a very comfortable companion, very quickly.  


So, in an effort to try to change our way of thinking and speaking, we came up with four tangible things to ponder and work on:


1) Say Scripture out loud

My Bible Study group is currently doing Beth Moore's study, "Breaking Free." Every couple of weeks, we listen to a video of Beth's teaching.  Last week she said several things that really spoke to me.  But one that stood out was the fact that the enemy of our souls cannot read minds.

Therefore, it is crucial to say things out loud.

And, there is nothing more powerful to say than the words of God Himself.

Jesus used Scripture to fight the devil in the wilderness.  And if you notice, they had an out-loud conversation.

Jesus quoted Scripture with His voice.

There is something powerful that happens when the Word of God is spoken.

So, my friend and I agreed to start our days by saying something from the Bible – OUT LOUD – thereby letting the enemy know exactly where our focus is first thing in the morning – and also confirming that focus in our own hearts.

Try it, it's quite effective!

(Bonus: Nora doesn't like this.  It tends to keep her quiet…)


2) Make a take-along compilation of Bible verses

You could use post-it notes, or attach verses to a key ring, or get one of those little boxes that has pre-printed Bible verses on little cards.  I'm going to use one of those spiral-bound notebooks of index cards, and write a verse on each card.

I'm going to concentrate on verses that speak about fear.  

Because in my life, Nora and Nellie are constantly talking to each other.  And when I'm afraid, I'm more negative – and when I'm negative, I'm more afraid.

Then, I'm going to take that little notebook with me wherever I go.  It's going to be my not-so-concealed weapon as I battle the forces that strive to make me negatively ungrateful and fearfully un-joy-full.


3) Change the order of your sentences

I confess, this is not an original thought.

My dear blogging friend came up with this idea, and it's an amazingly effective tool.  (I couldn't remember her specific post, but here's her blog link).

This helpful hint encourages one to reverse the order of negative or fearful sentences.

Here's a couple of examples:

I know the Lord is with me, but what if that horrible thing happens?

New version:  That horrible thing could happen, but I know the Lord is with me.

It's a beautiful day, but I have a terrible headache.

New version:  I have a terrible headache, but it's a beautiful day.

I trust the Lord, but I'm so very scared.

New version:  I'm so very scared, but I trust the Lord.


There's a few reasons that I love this practice:

First, it acknowledges the negative thought – denial doesn't help when dealing with negative feelings.

However, it doesn't give the negative thought precedence – the positive thought takes center stage.

And finally, it subtly tweaks our thinking.  It steals the negative *but* and puts a positive spin on the ensuing *but* statement.


Old math: Positive thought – negative *but* = Negative outlook
New math: Negative thought + positive *but* = Optimistic outlook


Thoughts lead to feelings, and feelings lead to behavior.

But there are several psychological theories that posit that the opposite can also be true – that by teaching one to change their behavior, they can then influence their thoughts and feelings.

My paraphrase: "Fake it 'til you make it."

For instance, research performed over the past few decades suggests there could actually be a benefit to producing a fake smile.  According to many experts, smiling may not only be an outward manifestation of a happy feeling. It may actually be able to cause a happy feeling.

Try this sentence-tweaking with some of your negative thoughts and statements.  

See if it makes a difference…and plaster on a fake smile, too!

You just might find yourself feeling more joyful.


4) Stop at the comma

OK, so, sometimes it's really hard to stop a negative thought or feeling.  I totally get that.

But, we can stop short of expressing it.

You see, Nora loves inserting her negative *but* after the comma.

Example: It's a beautiful day, BUT…


Honestly, isn't it time to shut Nora up?

It's probably going to take some time and practice and discipline to change my negative approach to life, but in the meantime, I don't have to "share the wealth" of my negative thinking with everyone I know and love.

For instance, it would probably be just fine to stop that comment to "The Hub" at, "Thanks for doing the laundry, honey."

Ahem.

It's been years since I saw the movie, "The Lion King."  But I remember one scene when Rafiki, the wisest mandrill I've ever known, is leading Simba through the jungle.  At one point, he turns quickly to Simba and says,
"Stop!  Shhh…"

Growing up, my sons used to tease me in the middle of me ranting, or regaling them with my worries, or offering unwanted meddling, by looking at me and quoting Rafiki.

Honestly, isn't it time that I do the same to myself?

Isn't it time that I stop at the comma and make it a period instead?!

"Stop!  Shhh…"


I have a feeling that this *stop-the-negativity-and-refocus-on-joy* process is going to take some time.

I'm fighting my temperament, I'm battling my sinful nature and the enemy who loves to inflame it, and habits are hard to break.

Not to mention the fact that Negative Nora is a chatty sort of girl.

But, I want to change.

And perhaps that is the beginning of all good things…

 The cares of my heart
are many,
but
your consolations
cheer my soul.

(From Psalm 94:19)

Synonyms for *intentional*: deliberate, voluntary, willful, designed, done on purpose, intended, meant, planned, purposed, willing


"Stay alert!  Watch out for your great enemy, the devil.  He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.  Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith." (1 Peter 5:8-9, NLT)

"'The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10, NIV)

"For though we walk in the flesh [as mortal men], we are not carrying on our [spiritual] warfare according to the flesh and using the weapons of man.  The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood].  Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.  We are destroying...every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ..." (2 Corinthians 10:3-5, AMP)

"Let his faithful people rejoice...and sing for joy on their beds.  May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands..."
(Psalm 149:5-6, NIV)

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the...soul...and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)

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

"...be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father..." (Ephesians 5:18-20, NASB)

"We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed...we do not become discouraged [spiritless, disappointed, or afraid]. Though our outer self is [progressively] wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day by day.  For our momentary, light distress [this passing trouble] is producing for us an eternal weight of glory [a fullness] beyond all measure [surpassing all comparisons, a transcendent splendor and an endless blessedness]!" (2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 16-17, AMP) 

(Notice the *new math* – with the positive *but* statements!!) 

"Who shall ever separate us from the love of Christ?  Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?...[No]...in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us]." (Romans 8:35-37, AMP)

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing.  Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." 

(Philippians 4:8, NLT)

"Always be full of joy in the Lord.  I say it again – rejoice!" 

(Philippians 4:4, NLT)

Has Negative Nora moved into your neighborhood?

Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, PLAYDATES WITH GOD, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, GRATEFUL HEART MONDAY, REFLECT LINKUP, WORDS WITH WINTER, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, ENCOURAGE ME MONDAY, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, UNITE LINKUP, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, TUESDAY TALK, RA RA LINKUP, WOMEN HELPING WOMEN, INTENTIONAL TUESDAY, TELL HIS STORY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, WISE WOMAN, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY, JOYHOPELIVE LINKUP, THE (NOT JUST) HOMEMAKING PARTY, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, EVERYDAY JESUS, GRACE AT HOME, SHINE LINKUP, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, LOOKING UP LINKUP, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, EVERYDAY TESTIMONY, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FAITH 'N FRIENDS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, FAITH & FELLOWSHIP, GRACE & TRUTH, TGI SATURDAYS, DANCE WITH JESUS, STILL SATURDAY, LIVING PROVERBS, WEEKEND WHISPERS, SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY, WORD OF GOD SPEAK, GIVE ME GRACE, SOCIAL BUTTERFLY SUNDAY



BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"