My parents have a beautiful home. It's warm and cozy and the perfect spot for our family to hang out each week at family dinners. However, at Christmas, their house transforms from beautiful to magical. The entire downstairs is decorated with twinkling lights, Christmas tress, snowmen... every room has a special Christmas touch. And tonight... the final Christmas touches were completed because we decorated the Christmas tree together. It was so fun to watch the kiddos put ornaments on the tree. Their tree is a little bottom heavy, which isn't too surprising when you have two seven year olds and two three year olds on the job. I suspect some rearranging might take place now that the grandchildren are gone. And there were a few ornament causalities, but the end result was a beautiful tree filled with memories of Christmases past... even back to the 1980s! It's amazing how ornaments transform an ordinary tree into something extraordinary.
Have you ever had something ordinary turn into something extraordinary like the Christmas tree transformation? My friend experienced this today. An ordinary sickness, which typically brings a diagnosis followed by instructions on how to get better and maybe a prescription or two was transformed into extraordinary by receiving unsuspected news that was jaw dropping. The news was jaw dropping because she experienced God doing immeasurably more in her life right there on the spot. And she immediately started putting this week's memory verse into practice: Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:19-20
The immeasurably more of God can come in all different packages. Sometimes it's beautifully wrapped like a present under the Christmas tree... I experienced this on Day 17 when He provided a solution to my tough situation that was completely a surprise. Other times, His immeasurably more can come disguised as something ugly or unwanted... something you initially want to avoid at all costs. Yet by persevering, trusting and giving thanks for everything, over time, He can reveal the immeasurably more and it just blows your mind.
Open our eyes, Lord, to the immeasurably more that you are doing in each of our lives... and let it transform our vision from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Let us give thanks to you and tell of all Your wonderful acts. Psalm 105:1-2
Tonight I am thankful for...
1. God's miracles and truly doing immeasurably more
2. The power of praying scripture
3. A much needed afternoon out with a dear friend
4. Sunshine bursting through the clouds
5. Lights that allow us to see at night
6. Hearing my son sing to the radio in the car
7. Pizza, decorating the Christmas tree, and Arthur's Christmas at my parent's house
8. Encouraging words received in different forms... all in one day!
Here's to 10,000 reasons... Only 7,639 to go...
Today I am thankful for...
ReplyDelete1. A husband that helps me get kiddos ready in the morning so that I can take a shower!!
2. Hot morning showers
3. Oats and peaches and the joy on my daughter's face when she eats it.
4. Bananas
5. A hot up of coffee brought to me by my husband - UNSOLICITED!!!
6, The ability to run errands to get ready for a trip
7. Being able to pray for 2 families who were having stressful doctor visits
8. God's promises and how they are so clearly presented in scripture
9. The ability to pray scripture and experience the power in it
10. The peace that passes all understanding and actually experiencing this!
11. Yummy food at a new restaurant
12. Books and the excitement and joy that they bring to me and my daughter
13. A mom who read to me constantly as passes on her love of books
14. The ability to read to my daughter and son
15. A 2 year old that loves to sing Matt Redman's "10,000 Reasons" without knowing how cool that is!!!
16. A nap that turned adventurous
17. A husband that works from home and was available to come running when the nap turned adventurous
18. The ability to clean up vomit without getting sick myself
19. A car ride that turned comical
20. A 2 year old that rolls with the punches
21. A clean t-shirt and Popsicle given to my daughter at the pediatrician'a office
22. An opening in the schedule to see a pediatrician
23. The recommendation to go to the pediatrician
24. God doing immeasurably more for a 5 year old and her trip to the dentist
25. Getting answers for a 7 month old who is not gaining weight and a formula that she loves!!!
26. Being blown away by blood work results and knowing such was only because of God
27. The chance to praise His holy name
28. The overflowing joy experienced by sharing with others what God has done
29. Getting goosebumps and crying tears of joy because God is so good
30. Realizing that any amount of thankfulness I have ever experienced doesn't even come close to what I am experiencing today
(1) I am thankful for my house being decorated for Christmas.
ReplyDelete(2) I am thankful for getting my upstairs cleaned (one less thing to do for Thanksgiving.)
(3) I am thankful for family dinners and that everyone could be here.
(4) I am thankful for pizza,not having to cook, and not having to pay for the pizza.
(5) I am thankful for my family who helped decorate the tree.
(6) I am thankful that only three ornaments got broken, even though many more were dropped.
(7) I am thankful that during the movie, that the grandchildren made their round to sit by me.
(8) I am thankful for quiet time
Gina
1. I am thankful for the inspiration of Christians who live their faith.
ReplyDelete2. I am thankful for the truth that sets us free.
3. I am thankful for getting way more done yesterday than I had energy to do.
4. I am thankful for kind words.
5. I am thankful for the encouragement when God allows me to see Him working in our lives.
I am thankful for:
ReplyDelete1. having a Starbucks date with my dad this morning
2. helping decorate for Thanksgiving
3. having a friend stay with us for the weekend
4. having my whole family home
5. the birds chirping outside my window
Today I am thankful:
ReplyDelete1-That even though I am sad to not be with my by blood family for Thanksgiving that we get to spend it with out god made family
2-The Muppets and John Denver Christmas album
3-Excited for the first time in awhile to decorate for Christmas
4-Grateful that I can have a four day weekend with my family
5-The love and grace that God shows me
I am thankful for:
ReplyDelete1. Going to the movies with my family
2. God's creation of both creativity and order
3. A nap on a day off
4. Finding the time to ahead in my writing and weekend responsibilities
5. a new, comfy, jacket
6. the great warm day
7. the wonderful books that so many God-loving people have written than influence and teach me and those around me
8. a wonderful, encouraging message from a very dear friend
9. my sister picking up the kids
10. coffee
1. I am thankful for hand me downs clothes
ReplyDelete2. I am thankful for lazy days
3. I am thankful for beautiful days
4. I thankful for my sister in law and all she had taught me
5. I am thankful to be able to have a thanksgiving dinner
1. I am thankful for the village that helps me with my kids
ReplyDelete2. I am thankful for the wedding of my dreams
3. I am thankful for the warm fuzzies I get when I am around my kids
4. I am thankful for boxes that's keep my kids attention
5, I am thankf for apple cider
1. Hearing my daughter belt out worship songs at the top of her lungs from up in her bedroom.
ReplyDelete2. Belting out worship songs (& others) together in the car later.
3. My comfy slippers.
4. DVR so the hubby and I can watch our shows together.
5. The anticipation of a great day spent with family tomorrow.
6. That I only bring one dish to our family Thanksgiving allowing me to have a "low stress" holiday.
1. Puppy time
ReplyDelete2. Getting to know a great gentleman with a lot of potential
3. Talking with him for 2 hours on the phone
4. Not being late to work today
5. Grace!! :)