Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Day 35

Take a look at this picture and tell me what you see:


Let me guess your answer... a box, right?  That's what I see too.  Let me tell you about it.  When we got home from an afternoon bike ride today, my sons were so excited because there were two boxes on our front porch.  What could they be?  Once we got inside, we discovered that one of the boxes was actually for our neighbor, so my seven year old became the mailman and delivered that box.  The box addressed to us was my seven year old's brand new coat... remember, the one that I got for $30?  He was so excited to open the box and try it on.  He loves it... and it's big enough for him to wear two years.  Only $15 per year for a coat?  That's definitely a blessing from God.

The coat was promptly put away and the box lingered on the kitchen floor.  As I was cleaning up the dinner dishes, I heard my three year old playing behind the island.  He was being pretty quiet, which can mean there's suspicious behavior going on, so I decided to check on him.  To my delight and surprise, he had converted the box into a bed.  You got it, his entire body was snuggled in the box and his feet and waist were covered with the coat bag.  It was pretty cute!  But that's not all... later, his brother used the box as a seat.  And my three year old wasn't done with this ordinary box either, oh no... before his bath, he put the box upside down on the couch and explained "This is a campsite, mommy.  And this is a tent."  Too funny!  So what we saw as an ordinary box was actually a bed, a chair, a campsite and a tent to my two creative boys. 

Thanksgiving can be like the box.  Something we perceive as a normal circumstance can be transformed into something new and exciting through the lens of thankfulness.  The boys had a blast transforming the box into whatever their imaginations desired.  How much more fun could we have by looking through the lens of thankfulness and transforming normal into splashes of joy throughout our day?  May we all see the box a little differently... a little more creatively... because of our commitment to make thanksgiving a habit.

You are my God, and I will give You thanks; You are my God, and I will exalt You.  Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.  Psalm 118:28-29

Today, I am thankful for...

1.  Prayer with friends
2.  Forgiveness
3.  God expanding my time... a few more To Do list items checked off today!
4.  Creative problem solving with a friend and witnessing how God truly is in the details and provides solutions
5.  Phone calls
6.  Afternoon bike ride with the boys (I was walking, of course)
7.  Crisp, sunny afternoon
8.  My three year old's biking fashion... snow boots, shorts, and fingerless gloves
9.  The imagination of children
10.  My three year old complimenting me on dinner - love those encouraging words!
11.  Christmas plans on the calendar
12.  Christmas wrapping paper
13.  Soothing sound of Christmas music while working at the computer
14.  Boys in bed by 8:15 - Woo Hoo!
15.  God's faithfulness and how He reveals Himself to us in unique ways

Here's to 10,000 reasons... Only 6,232 to go...

12 comments:

  1. I am thankful for
    1. My morning devotions.
    2. The upstairs being clean.
    3. Finally getting the clothes to rhe cleaners.
    4. My granddaughter eating leftover pasta for
    lunch.
    5. Our son getting home safe from his travels.
    6. A yummy homecooked meal.
    7. Bluebell Pumpkin Spiced Pecan IceCream. YUM
    8. A restful evening.
    Gina

    ReplyDelete
  2. 1. Little baby Oranges
    2. My typing skills
    3. Twitter
    4. Coffee
    5. Co-Workers
    6. Co-Workers Birthdays
    7. Co-Workers Birthday Cake
    8. Christmas Decorations
    9. Bluetooth
    10.Lists

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am thankful for:

    1. Paul Nagy and the ACC finance team for doing such a great job planning
    2. the wisdom of the ACC elders
    3. patience in making decisions
    4. 1 Samuel 17 reminding me that God is bigger than giants
    5. egg nog
    6. answered prayers for a friend
    7. the caring heart of a friend who is praying for a young boy
    8. electricity
    9. a working automobile
    10. my wife smiling at me right this second!
    11. new friendships this past year

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am thankful for:
    1. a beautiful brunch this morning
    2. a Brave woman who shared in our small group Bible study - so proud of her!!
    3. a working projector
    4. the "Jesus Calling" book from a friend
    5. Peppermint Green Tea from a sweet friend
    6. the ugliest white elephant gift I have ever seen - and it's mine now!
    7. an opening at the dentist right when we needed it
    8. Reapers 2nd place finish in the knowledge bowl
    9. time and energy to clean the floors this afternoon
    10. my mom's willingness to make whatever her visitors most desire to eat

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am thankful ...
    1) for the great messages each day on the The Thankful Experiment blog. Lord I pray I develop a lifestyle of 'looking through the lens of thanksgiving'
    2) to hear from my daughter almost daily
    3) for the great praise and worship at the Iron Bell
    4) for the opportunity to be an at home mom
    5) that my husband is a hard worker and great provider

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am thankful for...
    1. Catching up with a girlfriend
    2. The beautiful Christmas decorations at the mall
    3. Good return policies
    4. Seeing an unexpected smiling, beautiful face at the mall
    5. Salted caramel hot chocolate
    6. Two patient kiddos at Kroger on the 1st Wednesday of the month!!!!!
    7. A potential roast recipe for Christmas dinner
    8. Chicken pot pie
    9. The middle section of the Christmas tree arriving in less than 7 business days!!!
    10. Ornaments in the tree
    11. All Christmas decorations finally being up
    12. My season of life
    13. Prayers from friends
    14. God's plan, whatever that may be
    15. A husband who encourages me and notices when I need encouraged
    16. A husband that prays for me without me asking
    17. Encouraging words from a friend
    18. Hope in tomorrow
    19. Joy coming in the morning
    20. God'a promises

    ReplyDelete
  7. Day 38 its hard to believe. Sorry haven't posted mine for awhile been working a double shift for several weeks now.

    Today I am thankful for my daughter and her friend being able to spend time with eachother.
    Being able to pray for others who are going through some trying times.
    A date made with my Emmaus reunion group friends next week. Can't wait to see them.
    Lifes simple pleasures like puppies and kitten so cute!
    Thankful mostly for Gods graciousness and love

    ReplyDelete
  8. Day 38 its hard to believe. Sorry haven't posted mine for awhile been working a double shift for several weeks now.

    Today I am thankful for my daughter and her friend being able to spend time with eachother.
    Being able to pray for others who are going through some trying times.
    A date made with my Emmaus reunion group friends next week. Can't wait to see them.
    Lifes simple pleasures like puppies and kitten so cute!
    Thankful mostly for Gods graciousness and love

    ReplyDelete
  9. Day 38 its hard to believe. Sorry haven't posted mine for awhile been working a double shift for several weeks now.

    Today I am thankful for my daughter and her friend being able to spend time with eachother.
    Being able to pray for others who are going through some trying times.
    A date made with my Emmaus reunion group friends next week. Can't wait to see them.
    Lifes simple pleasures like puppies and kitten so cute!
    Thankful mostly for Gods graciousness and love

    ReplyDelete
  10. Day 38 its hard to believe. Sorry haven't posted mine for awhile been working a double shift for several weeks now.

    Today I am thankful for my daughter and her friend being able to spend time with eachother.
    Being able to pray for others who are going through some trying times.
    A date made with my Emmaus reunion group friends next week. Can't wait to see them.
    Lifes simple pleasures like puppies and kitten so cute!
    Thankful mostly for Gods graciousness and love

    ReplyDelete
  11. Day 38 its hard to believe. Sorry haven't posted mine for awhile been working a double shift for several weeks now.

    Today I am thankful for my daughter and her friend being able to spend time with eachother.
    Being able to pray for others who are going through some trying times.
    A date made with my Emmaus reunion group friends next week. Can't wait to see them.
    Lifes simple pleasures like puppies and kitten so cute!
    Thankful mostly for Gods graciousness and love

    ReplyDelete
  12. 1. My trainer Greg
    2. Mini Marathon training programs
    3. Errands
    4. Good food
    5. Cookouts

    ReplyDelete