Gratitude Attitude

How is it that we are sitting on the midway mark of November?  It has been a busy month so far.  (Aren't they all?)  The first week of this month (and much of the previous month) always finds me in apoplectic production of all things faithfully crafty for our church's holiday bazaar.  The second week usually finds me in a less frenetic but still fruitful flurry of fulfilling special orders from said bazaar.  This year it also found me fulfilling jury duty.  And delving into the beautiful, inspiring world of Pinterest in my spare (ha ha!) time.  And prepping for our monthly Bible study.  And raiding my kids candy bags from Halloween.  And missing 31 Days of Prayer, the joy of immersing myself in conversation with God.

All good things.  I am grateful for each.  And as I make "Give Thanks" banners I am praying thanks for God's gifts.  And I am praying to focus less on feeling busy and more on feeling full.  Of the good stuff.  Of God's love and peace and grace.  Of the Holy Spirit.  Of life on Earth and the promise of eternal life in Heaven.

Dear Lord,

You are the God of all goodness, Giver of glorious gifts.

I am so humbly grateful...

1. for my relationship with you which sustains and saves me every day
2. for my husband, darling and funny, loveable 99% of the time (especially when he calls just to say I looked cute this morning)
3. for my daughter, grinning and giggly, so in love with her world of music and friends and cartwheels and books and math; oh do I love how she loves the challenge of math!
4. for my son, snuggly and warm, comfortable in his own skin whether he's quietly reading, rambunctiously supplying sound effects in some warrior pretending, playing with the dog, bubbling over with pinewood derby eagerness
5. for our home, complete with crafty messes, dirty baseboards, things to do, laundry to wash, dishwasher to empty; the walls are solid, the rooms are warm, and the mood embraces our family and friends and our Lord
6. for my friends who laugh with me, craft with me, pray with me, play with me, sip coffee and commiserate and listen and encourage and brighten my days with their thoughtful caring
7. for my parents and in-laws, for everything, but most of all for generous love and solid foundation
8. for our church that gives much and asks much, providing meaningful opportunities to help others and enrich worship and be God's hands and heart in this world
9. for our neighborhood and community, for the ways we are knit together and the ways we reach out to those who are less fortunate
10. for the sweet delight of a Reese's peanut butter cup, and for the rare and precious occasion when I am content to eat just one!

Thank you for being such an awesome God — omnipotent and omniscient, yet tender and loving, too.  All goodness comes from you.

Amen

Start your list today.  Find ten gifts from God that make your heart sing, your eyes delight, your day bright.  Warning: you may not be able to stop at ten... and that's okay!

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

1 Chronicles 16:34

19 | Love is Not Pretending

Whoa. 

Sometimes a verse hits you right between the eyes.  With a big old resounding "THUNK."  Even a verse you've seen a dozen or a hundred times before.  Especially if it's in a less common translation.  That's why I love Bible verse websites with multiple translation options.

Anyhoo, this one grabbed me and won't let me go...

"Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality."

Romans 12:9-13 (NLTB)

Can we pray about it together?

Dear Lord,

I didn't think I was doing it, but then I read your Living Word and you opened my eyes.  Sometimes I pretend to love, even with those most precious to me.  Sometimes I go through the motions.  Sometimes I hold back some of myself.  Sometimes I'm just too tired to dig deeper.  And oh, today I do feel too tired.

Forgive me.  Give me your pardon.  And please, pretty please, give me more of your love: the unending, unconditional, unlimited variety.  Because I want my Mr. and my kiddos to know that they are some of the most fantabulistic (yeah, made up word, but it's true!) people ever created, and I love the fuzz off of them.  Because I want my sister and parents and steps and in-laws to know that I am grateful for how each one of them has had an important hand in shaping who I am, for how each one of them fits into the fabric of my life.  Because I want my friends to know how they lift me up and extend me and fill me with their laughter, their stories, their caring, their truth.

Lord, keep on busting my chops when I go through the motions.  When I brush a hurried kiss across my husband's cheek.  When I shoo the kids onto the bus, distracted with to-do lists.  When I listen, but do not hear.  When I think of, but do not call.  When I care, but do not serve.  I want to be stone cold busted on these behaviors because that is not what these people, my people, deserve.  

You have placed these amazing individuals in my midst so that my life may be full.  Help me to hold them tightly and return the fullness of joy that they share with me.  Make me the queen of simple, non-stressed hospitality, inviting my loved ones in to share a slice of laughter, a cup of enthusiasm, a plate full of good.  Make me the unexpected and delightful surprise caller, who reaches out just to share a good mood.  Make me the eager servant, genuinely joyful to do a kind deed for another in need.  Help me to honor the good in others, to stop and say a heartfelt thanks, to give a hearty hug, to listen deeply to the "How are you?" answer.

To do this best, I know I need to slow down, not rush.  I need to live peace, not stress.  I need to see hope, not limitations.  I need to breathe joy, not despair.  I need to embrace goodness, not temptation.  I need to practice patience, not frustration.  I need so much, but all I need is in you.

You first loved us.  And now, good and giving Lord, help me abide in your love.  Let it be in each breathe I take.  Let it exist in each exhalation I make.  In all that comes into my being and all that goes out, may your love exist and extend.

Amen.

May you feel my love for you, dear reader and friend.  Thank you for tuning in, for praying, for living your faith out loud.