continuing Thanksgiving

The final leaves are falling and the temperature is dropping. The day marked Thanksgiving has come and gone - but I am lingering in its memories.

Too quickly the eloquent phrases of gratitude, reminiscing our blessings both big and small, are being replaced by Christmas wish lists, persistent holiday commercials and over-crowded stores. I feel surrounded by loud "hurried-ness".

I must admit, at first I was tempted to isolate myself and resist the advances of the holiday season (and risk being labeled a scrooge), but as I pulled out the advent devotional and unpacked our little manger scene, I began to realize that my soul's yearning aligns perfectly with Christmas. It is a day to give thanks and celebrate the biggest blessing of all.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

I want to celebrate hope. I want to celebrate truth. I want celebrate Jesus' birth.

I want to spend Christmas day giving thanks and eating birthday cake. :)

You can have all this world, just give me Jesus...

And so I will continue counting my blessings while joyfully celebrating the greatest gift of all... the Word made flesh.

"...let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire."

Hebrews 12:28-29

As you prepare for the Christmas holiday, may you remember to marvel God and His life-changing gift to us.

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Just a few blessings that fill my heart full of gratitude...

The Autum season. Colorful, fallen leaves. Playfulness.

Smiles.

Laughter. Swinging.

More smiles.

Long walks. Beautiful weather. Fresh air. Sunshine.

A joyful heart. More laughter.

Quiet. Slowing down. Peacefulness.

Beauty. Blue sky. Creation.

Brothers. Companionship.

Grandparents. Patience. Support.

Rest. Hugs. Unconditional love.

Books. Simple pleasures. Warm home. Blankets. Husband/Daddy. Family.

Cuddle time.

May your heart be full of gratitude as you continue to ponder your blessings and remember the reason for the season.

lift up your eyes

"I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. 
Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. 
The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. 
The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life.

The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore."
Psalm 121

beautiful ordinary

It has been a month full of ordinary.

Washing piles of laundry, organizing parts of the house, grocery shopping, meal-making, Bible study, occupational therapy, speech therapy, mounds of medical paperwork and play dates have consumed every spare moment of my time.

While I have ached to sit at the computer and write, my family has needed more of my attention. Mommy-duty filled with reading books, wiping noses, late-evening "flashlight" walks and backyard games of "fumble" always come first - and sometimes it requires every nook and cranny of my day.

So thank you for letting me slip away for a short spell. It has, for the most part, been good. My days have been full of beautiful ordinary.

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Even though the past few weeks have also been filled with colds and flu-like illnesses, we have found ways to weave in autumn pleasures. We have enjoyed long walks to breathe deeply the cool air, piling up leaves to jump into, apple pie, and a couple trips to a pumpkin patch at a local family farm.

where to find the Light

Thank you, Lord, for always lighting my path. Even as I am led, often one step at a time, down mysterious ways, I can trust that You are by my side as I lean on You for help, forgiveness, hope, truth and love.

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"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"
Psalm 27:1

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
Psalm 119:105

"And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them."

Isaiah 42:16

"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him."

Daniel 2:20-22

"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'"

John 8:12

stability {throughout all seasons of life}