Monday, November 26, 2012

Day 26

Have I mentioned that I love my Jesus Calling devotion by Sarah Young?  God gave her such an amazing way to share His truth through this book.  And it should be no surprise that the devotions this week focus on thankfulness since we just celebrated Thanksgiving, so they are especially encouraging to me in my thankfulness journey.  This morning, I tweeted a quote from Jesus Calling (while I'm not doing much on Twitter yet, I am on there and you can follow me @HeatherSniderKY).  Here's my tweet:  When your mind is occupied with thanking Jesus, you have no time for worrying or complaining. B thankful

Pretty good stuff, right?  Well, God was giving me some good advice this morning... that I quickly forgot by the afternoon.  My day started out great with a super productive meeting regarding the mom's group at my church.  The ladies who lead it are both godly and wise and I'm so blessed to have them serving in this ministry.  I made a quick stop at the grocery, got my three year old down for his nap.  Got my quiet time with God and even had time leftover to get some work done on the computer.  And I got my black dress in the mail today, just in time for a date night with my hubby tomorrow. (Remember, the one I left in the hotel closet?  Check out the whole story on Day 18.)  But somewhere along the way, I turned into Oscar the Grouch.  Not for any particular reason that I could pinpoint... but it happened.  And I couldn't shake it.  My hubby even noticed and asked why I was grumpy.  I had to apologize to the boys for being harsh.  Yuck!  So much for keeping my mind occupied with thanking Jesus.  I didn't do so great today. 

So once again, I'm haunted by what the Bible says about being thankful.  1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  I'm supposed to give thanks all the time, regardless of my circumstances... regardless of whether I feel like it.  The benefits of giving thanks are spectacular... and I've experienced these benefits during the first 26 days of the experiment, yet I can quickly choose to wallow and complain and feel sorry for myself.  I didn't splash some thankfulness sunshine on my circumstances today (see Day 11) and the result was Oscar the Grouch. 

I'm so very thankful that God does not expect perfection from me.  I'm so glad that God extends His grace to me when I mess up.  So as I'm confessing my lack of thanksgiving today to you, I'm also confessing it to God and I know that He forgives me.  "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." Lamentations 3:22-23  I can have a fresh start right now, and for that, I am thankful.  Just like God doesn't expect perfection from me with this thankfulness stuff, He doesn't expect perfection from you either.  We're learning how "to give thanks in all circumstances" together.   Thank You, God, for giving us second, and third, and fourth, and infinite chances to grow and learn how to be thankful.  We truly are blessed by our Lord whose love never fails. 

Today, I am thankful for...

1.  God's amazing grace when I fail to choose thankfulness
2.  Hot tea warming my hands
3.  How orange peel in the garbage disposal creates instant air freshener
4.  Meeting with two amazing ladies to plan our mom's group for 2013
5. Getting my black dress in the mail
6.  Watching the boys delight as the North Pole Express train circled our Christmas tree

Here's to 10,000 reasons... Only 7,144 to go...

14 comments:

  1. (1) I am thankful for the many blessings God has given me.
    (2)I am thankful for shelter,food,and clothing. Things sometime I take for gtanted.
    (3) I am thankful for wrapped presents under the tree.
    (4) I am thankful for my grand daughter that I watch and how she makes me laugh.
    (5) I am thankful for my grandsons.
    (6) I am thankful for the Christmas seasons and the true meaning of Christmas.
    Gina

    ReplyDelete
  2. Today I am thankful for:
    1. Hot coffee in the morning
    2. The book of Proverbs
    3. technology
    4. getting to spend time with my girls on the way to school
    5. getting up early and having a productive morning
    6. leftover turkey last night for dinner
    7. funny conversations
    8. the heart of someone I talked to last night
    9. God being with us all of the time, even when we mess up
    10. sitting by the warm fire this morning in the quiet
    11. starting to get prepared for my heavy court day tomorrow (lots of cases)
    12. my wife's wonderful attitude this past week
    13. seeing the Christmas decorations in the neighborhood
    14. growing up with parents who cared about me
    15. the great history story being told in my new book that I'm reading, Team of Rivals
    16. The movie, Lincoln, which inspired me to start that book
    17. The Heart of Worship Night of Worship at Adventure coming up tomorrow and all of those who are excited about it

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am thankful for:
    1) a good friend who inspired me to get my Christmas calendars done last night :)
    2)getting to remember different activities from throughout the year while putting together those Christmas calendars
    3) being able to help others in need
    4) friends who care about each other's well being
    5) the bravery we can learn from children

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yea! I'm so glad that you finished your calendars too. It sure feels great to have that off my plate! :)

      Delete
  4. I am thankful for
    1. the internet. I couldn't help our daughter with homework without the information out there.
    2. my husband who works hard to provide for us.
    3. a quick walk before the bus arrived
    4. that I woke without a headache
    5. extra energy today.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Today, I'm thankful for:
    1. People who go out of their way to be helpful
    2. Finally completing a project I have been putting off for months
    3. The tears of thanksgiving that have come this week from reading my blog from May-June
    4. Hearing my Dads voice and laughter
    5. Safe travel for Paul and his co workers
    6. Teenagers who still talk to me when they need help/advice
    7. What a difference a little encouragement can make to a kid who's not your own..and to your own!
    8. Swim meets and personal best times being beaten...again!!
    9. good health
    10. 2 nieces who are ready to accept Christ into their hearts and lives
    11. a call from my brother in law today that made me cry tears of joy
    12. texts from friends that let you know they're thinking of you
    13. getting to be a stay at home Mom
    14. great christian music
    15. cold weather
    16. the joy Jonathan gets from 'seeing his breath' outside
    17. Christmas is only a month away
    18. the love of family
    19. it's not Monday
    20. warm pasta on a cold night!

    ReplyDelete
  6. 1. That God is full of grace and mercy and showing me that I need to be as well, especially with my children
    2. That God literally shut my mouth when I was about to say things I shouldn't
    3. For what may come of tomorrow
    4. For my pants being too big
    5. That God is my sustainer

    LisaD

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am thankful for:
    1. finishing a group project at school that has been stressful
    2. candy cane blizzards at Dairy Queen
    3. quiet time with God
    4. good friends who give me advice and ask me for advice
    5. pink nail polish

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am thankful for...
    1. Being able to do as much laundry as I need to in my house
    2. Two kiddos sleeping at the same time so that I could make dinner and dessert for my husband
    3. Celebrating my 7 year wedding anniversary with my incredible, godly husband over a yummy dinner
    4. Two kiddos reminding me how much God has changed me over the past 7 years
    5. An anniversary gift from my husband that wa the best....sleeping in while he got the kiddos up and ready for the morning!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Amanda.L.
    I'm thankful for the bright Sun.
    I'm thankful for the rainbow around the moon the other night.
    I'm thankful for the friendships at SOAR.
    I'm thankful for Rocky road icecream.
    I'm thankful for Jen spendlove .

    ReplyDelete
  10. 1) I am thankful for hot tea
    2) I am thankful for family dinners
    3) I am thankful for the Christmas season
    4) I am thankful for my sweet friends Susan and Bonnie
    5) I am thankful for my precious children and husband

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am thankful for
    Louisville Bible College
    Dr Chuck Lee
    Surviving another grueling test
    Christmas Break that is within reach - I didn't quit !
    My wonderful friend Ginny who accompanied me to school today it was " take a friend to class day"
    Getting to share the Job lecture with Ginny :-)
    Job math !
    Determination

    ReplyDelete
  12. 1. My grandparents and the Godly example they set.
    2. The surety of my seeing my daddy, grandparents, and other loved ones again one day.
    3. The fact that seeing my loved ones isn't even what I am looking forward to the most about heaven.
    4. My mother-in-law. She is the best.
    5. Funny video clips.

    ReplyDelete
  13. 1. Camp loucon
    2. Rain
    3. Jesus Calling devotional that my campers are enjoying
    4. Seeing Christ's work in action
    5. Clean and warm showers at camp

    ReplyDelete