Monday Meditation | A Season of Gratitude

Hello, brand new week in a new month.  Come in and sit down, fresh November Monday.  Let's talk about all the opportunity you bring with you.

I feel like you are handing me a brand-spanking new notebook with scads of crisp pages.  I can let my thoughts roam anywhere about anything.  After blogging daily on one topic (31 Days to Be Still) in October, I am thrilling in this November no-agenda.

And, at the same time, I'm a little freaked out.  No agenda?  Anything goes?  However do I decide where to begin?

So after consulting with the Big Guy in the Sky, I'm starting this new chapter in regular-but-not-rigid writing with a general plan.  I welcome your prayers that it will be fruitful and I will be faithful.

Mondays you can swing by for a weekly warm up.  I'm calling it...

Part stillness (gotta keep that habit going!), part reflection, part intention-setting for the week ahead.

I'll also have a little something for our faith-filled conversations on Wednesday and Friday.  But I'm not leaking that yet.  You'll just have to stop back later in the week!

So, dear reader/cyber friend, this is what's on my mind this Monday...

Cruising through the aisles at Target last week, I balked at the "welcoming" display of — aaaack! — Christmas decor.  Hello?!  People!  I haven't even purchased my Halloween candy!  I still have a panda costume to create!  Stop rushing us with all this fast-forward consumerism.  Target, darling, you are freaking. me. out!

So I squeezed my eyes shut and blindly steered my cart to the slightly more sane section of the store, where Halloween was still the current calendar item.  (Yes, I go to Target often enough that I can navigate without my sense of sight.)  I aimed for the section where all the normal people were, grabbing their fun-sized sugary bribes to keep the local kiddos happy and stave off any tricks.

And in transit between fast-forward-future and eleventh-hour-present, I breathed a sigh of relief that between the sugar frenzy of Halloween and the present frenzy of commercial Christmas, we have the gratitude of Thanksgiving.  (Granted, it's another holiday of over-indulgence, but as long as pecan pie is involved, I don't really see a problem with that.)

iheartnaptime.net

Thanks-giving.  Giving thanks.  Now there is a delightfully sugar-free, finance-free, feel-good attitude.  And in the giving of gratitude we also receive a happy heart (yes, that's a direct reference to Madame Blueberry of Veggie Tales fame).  Which makes Thanksgiving a holiday worth starting a little early.

Now I'm not saying let's get our undies in a bundle planning for the big meal and decorating the house and polishing the silver.  I'm suggesting we pull on a layer of gratitude this lovely Monday.  We wrap ourselves in a coat of appreciation.  We look through our November days with an eye out for how we can be more thankful.

thegirlcreative.com

Because God gives us so much to be thankful for.  The fact that He is good and His love endures forever is just the beginning.  And when we are grateful to God, thankfulness leads us along the path to joy.

You know Ann Voskamp?  The lyrical, spiritual writer I mention about every sixth post?  One of the Christian Super Heroes (in my book, at least) whose capes are compassion and whose powers all hinge on prayer?  She has an amazing book about this gratitude/joy/faith connection: One Thousand Gifts.  If you haven't read it, I encourage you to rush right out to your local library or book store and grab a copy. Or, even faster, download it on your e-reader and start reading it.  Right now.  Yes... you'll have to leave my humble little page.  But she's miles more insightful than I am, and I love her work dearly, so I'm okay with that.

onethousandgifts.com

Oh, good.  You came back!

So Ann (yes, I'm still talking about Ann), challenges us to this fabulous thing called #joydare where we count up our God-given blessings and aim to reach #1000gifts. I've dabbled in this on and off and off and on over the past few years.  When I take the time to reflect on my day or week and document the richness of little details or the delight of big moments, I start to float.  My spirits lift.  My grin comes bigger and faster, my laugh erupts quicker and louder.  And I float over the little bits of bitterness that try to trip me up.  (It is a little bit like having a super power, endowed by the Holy Spirit).

allisonkimball.com

But I'm human.  I get distracted, and the habit falls to the wayside, lost in the daily detritus.  I get bored, and the notebook list gets abandoned for slips of colorful paper in a box which gets pushed aside for a digital document.  I get forgetful and can't remember if I'm on gift 42 or 37 or 61 and so I simply give up.  Just look at the gap in my 1000 gifts page.  Gifts 72 to 92?  They are scattered in a box and a book and a glitched, lost list on my phone.

Yet I'm capable of change.  By the grace of God I posted 31 Days to Be Still, so I know if I trust in him and pray to him and make the time and space...

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.  Philippians 4:13

With that in mind, I'm going to pray for God's help to put thankfulness in my heart and on my tongue every day this week.  Care to join me?

amywestermanphotography.com

Lord, 

You give me so much to be grateful for.  As we move into November and the weather turns a bit bleaker and darker, I ask that you make my heart brighter and lighter.  

Help me to see the little gifts in each day.  Gifts in relationships.  Gifts in work.  Gifts in nature.  Gifts in my church and in the universal church.  Gifts in my neighborhood and gifts across the globe.  Gifts that come in pretty packages and gifts that seem a bit dingy on the outside, but carry true love and caring nonetheless.

Like a little kid on the hunt for a dropped penny, keep my eyes open for bright bits of shininess.  Remind me to pick them up, to hold and observe them, and to praise you for them.  For in savoring the unexpected, I will find the good fortune of a more joyful heart, a more trusting faith, and a more generous outlook on life.  

simplyvintagegirl.com

Lord help me to be intentional and faithful in marking these moments of gratitude.  I want to make my praise public and glorify you.  I want this for myself, so when I doubt your deliverance, I have concrete evidence of all the good that you do.  I want this for my kids, so that they witness firsthand the blessings of gratitude.  I want this for my community, so that we can push back the carping and the criticisms in the media and crowd them out with positive attitudes and pleasant moments.  I want this for you, so that more and more your good news is known, in ways big and small, in the hearts of all humans.  

That last part freaks me out a bit, God.  The idea of being public in praising you stretches me past the edge of my comfort zone.  But I know that's where the greatest gifts happen — when you nudge me into a new and challenging place.  That's when you show me how you can fill in the the distance between my comfort and your better way.  That's where my faith grows and my heart fills and my soul sings.

So I'm not editing that soul stretching part out.  I'm sending this prayer up.  And I know you will provide.  Thank you for always providing.

Amen

16 | Be Grateful

Here's another confession:  When I type "Be Grateful," I hear my mother's voice in my head.  I'm immediately thrust back into my nine-year-old body (it's a tight, uncomfortable squeeze), awkward and shy and clumsy with the words, "Thank you." And as a mother now, I feel her discomfort as well as mine.  We often feel obligated to be grateful.  Urged to be grateful.  Expected to be grateful.

incourage.me

So if the title of this post sounds like an edict or a rebuke to you, too, let's drop that misconception right now.

Here's how I want you to read this.

BE.  Just be.  In this moment, in this space, comfortable in your skin and relaxed in your mind.  Breathe and be.

And as you soak in this unique and one-time moment, this time dedicated to being yourself before your God, notice what gifts God has given you today.  What sounds or silences bring you pleasure?  What smells tickle your nose?  What sights make you sigh with contentment?  Slow down and savor the simple luxury of this quiet time. As you notice the common things around you in a first-time kind of way, what fills you up with that spontaneous, spilling over contentment? What makes you GRATEFUL?

AimeeWeaver via Etsy.com

I'm hearing my son practicing the piano.  Diligently for once.  In the purposeful notes I'm hearing echoes of the orchestra concert we attended earlier today.  I remember the soaring music and three generations of family clothed in amazement.

I'm watching my daughter draw.  Deliberate and comical.  Cartoon elephants emerge; they have something to do with science.  Her least favorite subject has transformed into the most talked about class, thanks to the humor and approachability of her fabulous teacher.

In these observations I realize that in sensing the world around me in this moment, I'm able to see layers — thanks to the slow stillness.  I'm able to look past the nagging that led to the piano; I'm able to link to the broader orchestral and emotional inspirations.  I'm able to chart the growth from where we were, in scholastic dread, to where we are, surprised by joy.

connectthedotsons.blogspot.com

Our blessings aren't always delivered in bright packages with shiny bows. Sometimes they are tied up in barbed wire and soiled paper bearing yesterdays bad news.  But under those layers, God's gift resides, true and good.

Today let's take a slow look, a savoring observation, of God's good news in our unique corners of the world.  Let's fill up with gratitude for what we do have in this precious moment.  And because this might be a new and different and difficult way of searching our surroundings, let's ask God to be our guide.

breezybrookshire via Etsy.com

Lord,

As I sit here in my house, my favorite coffee shop, my seat on the bus, my lunchtime corner — as I sit here in this moment — help me to look at this place in time and space with fresh eyes, tuned to your gifts and goodness.  Slow me down to a lingering wonder and awe that recognizes the elements you have put here, elements that nurture my faith, help me grow, and fill me up with your love and joy.  

Help me to suspend my earthly way of seeing the world.  In its place give me the gift of your vision, your grace-filled perspective.  And as I recognize your gifts, help me to glorify you by naming you as the good and gracious giver.  Help me to name and claim where these gifts come from, so that I might share your love and generosity in my corner of the world.

www.jacobabshire.com

If it's a hard day for me, a day that looks devoid of gifts, help me to be patient. Persistent.  Expectant.  For I know that your gifts are always near, but not always clear to my human eyes or my human brain.  I know you will deliver them in your perfect timing, and I will see them when I am still and focused on you.  For your faithfulness, I am truly grateful.

Amen

Grace Horne via Pinterest

Inspired to keep going with gratitude?

Ann Voskamp's book, One Thousand Gifts, is a must read.  Or download her app for counting your daily gifts.

Or start a gratitude journal, with something like this...

iloveitall via Etsy.com

Frame & Focus

One of my "when I grow up" day dreams is to be a fabulously artsy photographer.  You know the kind: her every snapshot is elegantly composed, beautifully lit, suffused with story.  In this Instagram, camera-phone-at-the-ready, my delusions are all the more dangerous.
 
So here I am, with a kabillion (truly, I counted) lame pictures, cluttering up the digital cloud. 

But every once in a magic moment, I manage to frame the scene and focus on the subject and capture the moment's beauty.  I cannot credit skill or an artistic eye or educated experience... It is simply persistence that pays off.  How I love that digital photography makes persistence — snapping hundreds and kabillions of photos — possible.

What can I say?  I like to frame, to focus, to train my eye and brain to capture things as I hope to always see them.

Which is why I love January: a lovely month for framing our lives and focusing our minds' eyes on capturing our best selves.  

For me, January is not about resolutions (self control is the most elusive fruit of the Spirit for this gal); it is about focusing my sights, my soul, on one word.  Last year my anchor word, my guiding principal, was "light."  This year, after many prayers, I am framing my decisions and focusing my vision on the "present."

I want to live in the present moment, to be truly present and engaged with my Mister and my kids, my family and friends — conscientiously unplugging from life-sucking electronic, household, and ego-centric distractions and consciously plugging into life-giving relationships.

I want to be mindful of and grateful for God's presents: the gift of Jesus and his love, grace, and salvation; the gifts of the Spirit (may self-control be ever more prevalent); the gifts and talents has has bestowed on me (and may I employ them for his glory); the gifts he blesses me with every day (family, friends, home, church, chocolate and wine — okay, maybe not EVERY day).

I want to fill myself up with God's presence.  (Okay, I know what you're thinking: that's not technically the same word.  I'm exercising a poetic license loophole.)  More time in his word (see my anal 2013 Bible Reading Plan), more time in prayer, more time in devotional reading and writing.  More time to be still, to rest in the peace of knowing God. 

I want to pour out God's presence, to tune in to God and hear clearly how he wants to work through me in my little corner of the world.  How can I serve him and those in need?  How can I be God's hands and feet; how can I share his word?  How can I be the humble jar of clay pouring out his rejuvenating Spirit? 

This is how I hope to frame my days and my year.  This is how I want to focus my thoughts and decisions.  I know there will be days when I forget to be present, in his presence, enjoying his presents.  I will clutter the spiritual album of 2013 with lame attempts and imperfect images.  But I know that God will help me to persist.  When I forget and fall short, he will remind me with a word, he will focus my blurred vision and frame my perspective with his forgiveness and grace and love.  He will use this simple anchor word to help me be my best, to glorify the best in him.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33

I pray God helps you to find your focus to frame this bright-shiny-new year.  May it be so very full of his presence and his presents for you. 

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

31 | Journey On

Dearest Readers,

Thank you! (Read as "Big, fat, juicy, billboard-sized 'THANK YOU' from the bottom of my heart and the tips of my toes.  I am really, truly grateful!")  This 31 Day commitment started with me feeling like a small, thin voice with not much to share, just trusting God's nudges.  You have made these daily prayers a living, breathing conversation... with God, with you individually, with the bloggy community (blogmunity?).  Better yet, we have come together in Jesus' name, creating a slice of worship and reverence in days cluttered with secular scraps.  And so my days have become richer.  My faith has grown stronger.  Thank you for journeying with me through these prayers.  And now, for the finale...

Dear Lord,

I breathe a big, peace-filled sigh.  Gratitude fills my heart.  Trust fills my soul.  Wonder fills my mind as I reflect on how you've worked in me and through me this month.

Remember how I tried to shy away from your nudge to join the amazing collection of 31 Dayers?  Remember all the excuses I made to not post and pray daily?  Lord, I am so glad I listened to you and not my doubtful self.  Thank you for infusing me with your trust, for steeping me in your Spirit.

You have shown me that what first appeared to be a Challenge, a Potentially Onerous Task, is really a GIFT.  Praying publicly for 31 days has provided me with delicious moments (minutes, hours) of dwelling in you.  Prayers have morphed from "I need..." to "I see where you need me..."  Perspective has shifted from earthly to eternally.  Peace and serenity have chased away spiritual procrastination.  Thank you for the ways you have helped my soul to stretch and grow.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this time in prayer with you, not to mention connecting to brothers and sisters in Christ through these prayers.  Where the Internet is usually a frivolous time suck for me, you have shown me that it can be a space for worshiping you.  For this evangelically shy gal, you've created a place to testify quietly without drawing too much attention to myself.  You've created a venue for fellowship and prayer that might not otherwise exist, at least on a daily basis.  What's next?  A computerized Christian Campus a la Web-Kinz or Facebook?  (My internet idiocy is showing... clearly there is a more mature or sophisticated analogy that could be made.)  Whatever it your plan is, God, I'm on board.

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

Once again, you have shown me that I can do all things through you, who generously and unfailingly gives me strength.  For it was clearly you who poured these prayers into my mind and massaged and shaped them on the monitor.  When I lacked for a topic, you provided.  When I wanted for words, you chose wisely.  When I felt like I was talking into a void, you gave answers, you connected me with friends new and old.  What a blessed reminder this has been: when I doubt, I do best by stepping aside and inviting you in to help me.  I want to hold on to that approach of making space for you to do your glorious thing, for offering up my weakness and hesitation as a platform for your perfect power.

So, what is next?  Lord, help me to stay tuned to your whispers, your nudges.  I offer my eager-beaver worker-bee self in your service.  Show me your will, your way.  I am ready to follow.

Amen.

Bloggy friends, may you hear God's whispers and feel his nudges in your hearts today.  I pray that your prayer journeys — your spiritual journeys — continue to take root and grow and thrive in God's glorious love.  Keep me posted, and I'll keep posting (just not every day... phew!!).

Big hugs and all my best,
Liz

4 | Thanksgiving

This is the day the Lord has made.

I will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

Lord,

You led me to Ann Voskamp's book, One Thousand Gifts, and I am so grateful.  Thank you for using her poetic wisdom as a reminder to actively see all the goodness that you put in our lives.  It's been several months since I started listing Gifts from God.  I'm only at #69, but your gifts are infinite.  Thank you, God, for all your nudges and reminders to stay positive, to recognize gifts, to receive your grace.

And thank you, specifically for...

70.   The reverent humor of 7th graders as they transform their teachers into super heroes.

71.   Many, many devoted, diligent, and inspiring teachers in my kids' school and in our community.

72.   Funny, heartfelt emails from our Sunday School director, who effervesces with gratitude and joy.

73.   The sweet, velvety ears of our Husky (who is currently barking his head off at the mail carrier.  Hmm... not so grateful about that).  

74.   Oh, wait.  That's the neighbor's dog.  Thank you for our pooch's respectful silence, for once!

75.   The zen of painting... smooth silky paint oozing through the brush onto waiting wood.  Did I say smoooooth?  Can I say it again?  Smooooooooooooooooooooooooth.

76.   Rustling, crunchy, crispy leaves: a reminder to enjoy the stolen second wind of summer that is today before the weather cools.

77.   Love that carries us through sorrow; for my Mr. who reaches out when he hurts and wears his heart on his sleeve.

78.   Reading in a sunny spot with my boy, sharing the adventures of ninja and new words and imaginary worlds.

79.   Being a fly on a wall in the school hallway, watching my girl go forth with confidence and eagerness for a new day of learning.

80.   A slice of quiet, a corner of writing and reflection in my day, a moment to connect with you, my Rock and Redeemer.

81.   The joy of connecting to sisters and brothers in Christ through this 31 Day linky-party.  Your love oozes through the comments, encouragement, and support that fills me up fill me up.

Thank you, Lord, for filling my life with goodness.  For brightening my corner of the world with love and laughter.  For being present, so wondrously present, in my life.  

Amen.