Lori at All You Have to Give made the above graphic. The quotes on it remind me how easily I forget how important simply giving thanks is!
"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was thank you that would
suffice." -Meisier Eckhart
"The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans
have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of
thanksgiving." -H.U. Wesiermeyer
"A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all
other virtues." - Cicero
"On Thanksgiving Day we acknowledge our dependence." -William Bryan
I have so much to be thankful for, and yet as each year passes from the big turning point in my life where I could see the obvious provision and rescue that made my heart cry "Thank YOU!", I find a tendency to slip into questioning and doubting, complaining and criticalness. But the detour away from these pitfalls is simply looking up and giving thanks!
I was just thinking yesterday that my prayers are increasingly becoming, "Thank you Lord!" for everything! Literally!
"Thank you Lord for my van." Spoken right after my husband informs me that he's just put the new starter in and it hasn't made any difference... the thing still won't start. "Thank you Lord for my kids." Spoken right after a face off with my 5 year
old."Thank you Lord for this piece of chocolate." Spoken at the height of my PMS with much conviction that chocolate is God's prescription for comfort during the monthly pains of womanhood. "Thank you Lord for my dog, this carpet, and this steam cleaner." Spoken right after cleaning up the dog vomit I almost stepped in while putting away the steam cleaner I just finished cleaning the carpets with. "Thank you Lord for my husband." Spoken as I walk out of the pre-op room
leaving my hospital gown-clad man behind.
I have sooooo much to be thankful for. And the more I put my trust in the sovereignty and goodness of God, and acknowledge my utter dependence upon Him, the more I stop trying to figure out what's going on or why and just simply look up and say, "Thank you Lord!"
How the Homemaker and Her Family are Spending Thanksgiving
Today will be a gathering of four- me, my husband and our two sons. I'm up early, spending some time really reflecting on what God has done in my life and praying, because He's not done with me yet.
The day is planned on being a fairly "normal" day- except the huge feast midday and the limping, one week post-op husband, and the deluge of fall rain we're getting in the Arizona dessert. Although, according to conversations with my husband last night, Thanksgiving this year is shaping up to be sorta anticlimactic, I think today is going to be very special.
There's a work of "leaving and cleaving" which began 3 years ago this Thanksgiving when my tender, reunited marriage moved away from family and friends to the desert that continues to this day. Today as my husband continues the rehab work on his leg I'll be remembering that God is doing a reconciling work in our marriage for His glory, and I'll be thanking Him for it.
There are two very sentimental sons who have been anticipating when we get to have our "big feast" (as they put it) for weeks. And today while I'm working in the kitchen, loving on my family through the making of a "feast", I'll be praying for the words and the work of the Spirit as I use every opportunity to teach my sons about our great Redeemer and God, and how important it is that we take the time to remember we are utterly dependent upon His mercy and grace and therefore must give Him thanks!
We'll be enjoying the rain today, rehabbing a knee, wrestling with the boys, reaching for the sweet potatoes, relishing the cherry pie with ice cream, rejoicing in our Redeemer, reminiscing on the phone with family far away and resting with full bellies too.
Today I'm not going to ask why, or try to figure out what's next, I'm just going to draw near and give thanks to the God who wants me to know Him. Mr. Oswald Chambers' questions and answers hang in my kitchen. And today, while I'm cooking, I'll be surrendering myself to my miracle-working God and resting in knowing Him more.
"Have you been asking God what He is going to do? He will never tell you. God does not tell you what He is going to do- He reveals to you who He is. Do you believe in a miracle-working God, and will you "go out" in complete surrender to Him until you are not surprised one iota by anything He does?" - Oswald Chambers
I pray you and yours have a surrendered and thankful thanksgiving!
a great reminder indeed!
ReplyDeleteGod Bless, and happy thanksgiving!
Dear Sheila,
ReplyDelete“And the more I put my trust in the sovereignty and goodness of God, and acknowledge my utter dependence upon Him, the more I stop trying to figure out what's going on or why and just simply look up and say, "Thank you Lord!"”
This is my experience this year, too. I am thankful to have found this Biblical Submission study and all the wonderful women participating in it. I have found so much encouragement, on which I was desperately in need.
Your posts are edifying. Thank you.
Love, Ernestine :)