Christmas

This Christmas we did all the things we traditionally do as a family,

and yet,

somehow,

this Christmas felt just

a little bit more

than typical.

we felt

a little bit more delight...

we had

a little bit more laughter...

we noticed

a little bit more excitement...

we enjoyed

a little bit more fun...

we moved

a little bit more s-l-o-w...

we were

a little bit more restful...

we became

a little bit more peaceful...

overall, just

a little bit more full.

Even when i woke up boxing day morning with that now familiar pressure feeling in my chest, the Lord provided a wonderful morning of rest with the kids and a fun afternoon and evening skating at my folks place with friends and family. 

 (and the feeling left and hasn't yet returned!)

God is good ALL the time, 

but I continue to count my gifts

~not the ones from under the tree~

and praise Him that the list seems never ending.

O my soul, bless God.

    From head to toe, I’ll bless his holy name!

O my soul, bless God,

    don’t forget a single blessing! 

psalm 103:1-2 (msg)

remembering

The other day I was driving across the bridge on my way to the church when an unexpected rise of emotion came over me.  The trees were covered in hoarfrost and the river almost frozen.  Christmas music played softly on the radio as I mentally ran through what I needed to accomplish at the coming rehearsal.

I hummed along to the current song and suddenly my eyes filled with tears.  The song caused a wave of memories from Christmas 2010.

That was the last Christmas my Grandpa was alive.

here's the lego version of our Christmas Eve tradition
that my kids created last year!

At our annual Christmas Eve celebration, my mom's side of the family gathers for food, prezzies and carol singing.  We even have a special visit from Santa himself, but before that happens, the Christmas story is read.  As long as I can remember, my Grandpa, our patriarch, read the story.  Several years ago, he passed the honour to my uncle - almost as a way of preparing us for when he would no longer read to us.

Part of the reading and singing time always includes some concert recitations from the kids and a song sung by yours truly.  I tend to feel a little embarrassed doing it, but I've committed to the Lord to always be prepared to use the gifts He's given if called upon.  And my dad will always ask me for my song! :)

Two Christmases ago, I sang the song I heard the other day on the radio: "In the Bleak Midwinter."  It was soft and simple, but it meant something to me that year.  After I finished, my Grandpa asked me to sing it again.  He moved to a seat right beside the piano and I sang just for him.

In the bleak midwinter, icy wind did moan.

The earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone.

Snow had softly fallen, Snow on snow, on snow.

In the bleak midwinter, so long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor the earth sustain.

Heaven and earth shall fade away when He comes to reign.

In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed.

The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

What then can I give Him, poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb.

If I were a wise man, I would do my part.

Yet, what can I give Him? I must give my heart.

I've often wondered why he asked me to sing it again.

Was it because he couldn't hear me?

Did he simply like the way it sounded?

Did he somehow know that it would be the last Christmas song he would hear me sing?

Or was it because the words spoke truth to him?  I like that answer the best. My Grandpa often said he wasn't the smartest man, he certainly wasn't the richest and he wasn't without faults.  But he loved Jesus.  And so I like to think that the truth of the last line of the song was why he asked me to sing it again.  That it was a recommitment to once again offer the Lord his whole heart.

It's the example I hope to remember this Christmas, every Christmas, and all year long.

tradition

 Into the middle of December, and all the Hall family traditions are well underway.

We've packed shoe boxes (just in the nick of time - as usual!).

We've enjoyed school Christmas programs.

We've decked the halls (and made the traditional remarks about how that carol is offensive to our family - haha).

We've baked up a storm, and have watched the supply dwindle as we've enjoyed family and friends.

We've also done the traditional "relaxed" approach to gift shopping (as in, I'm nowhere near done), and the equally unfocused tradition of the Christmas card photo....(or maybe New Year's card?).

Our family traditions seem to mean more to our kids every year.  This is an amazing gift I did not expect.  But I have found that the same traditions that we look forward to and intentionally make part of our family Advent season can be the very things that distract me from taking the time to really listen to what the Lord wants me to learn this Christmastime.

And so, as the opportunities come in bits and pieces through the weeks, I must steal away - maybe light a little candle - and be still.  I must make the time to focus my heart and mind on the coming of Christ.  Not only the first coming as a baby, but His promised second coming.

Trust in the Lord and do good;

    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Take delight in the Lord,

    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord;

    trust in him and he will do this:

 

He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,

    your vindication like the noonday sun.

Be still before the Lord

    and wait patiently for him;

psalm 37:3-7

May my days never be too busy to look to Him 

and may my heart never be too distracted to see.

What are you doing to stay focused on Jesus this Christmas?

let every heart prepare

December 1st was our church's annual Women's Christmas Potluck Brunch.  I was asked to provide a musical program, that traditionally has some spoken words throughout.  After searching and searching online for someone else's words that would communicate the things I had been thinking about, I felt the Lord calling me to write my own words.  I sang a song to get us started and my dear friend read the words while I played softly.  Together the group sang familiar words of Christmas carols.  We had a blessed time of worship.  Someone told me afterward that I should put these words "on the internet" for others to use.  
So here they are.


song: Once More (from Travis Cottrell's Christmas album, Ring the Bells)

In the beginning, God.
Before there was time and space and people, God had a plan.
He created the earth, sky and sea, animals of all kinds and then He breathed.
He breathed life into the first person.

From that point on, God watched His people try to be good enough - try to do right and live right.  He watched them fumble through on their own.
They thought they were so smart, some of them.
Others felt so lonely and insignificant.
God loved them all the same.
God so loved His world.

In His perfect timing, God laid out His plan and in His perfect way, God chose a small and seemingly insignificant town to be the landmark that would change eternity.

song: O Little Town of Bethlehem

O come to us.
Abide in us.
Lord, You are God with us - Emmanuel.

God, do You see me?
God, do You hear me?
God, they say You love me.  How can I know?

It's Christmas - a time thick with memories and traditions.
A time to remember You, Jesus.
You came to be with us, to be one of us. To show Your love for us.
There was so much confusion surrounding Your birth and Your life.
Should I shy away from confusion in my own life?

Christmas.  Noel.
Jesus You came.

song: The First Noel

God's Word says:
"See I care about you, and I will pay attention to you."

God's Word says:
"I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you.  I will take out your stoney, stubborn heart and give you a tender and responsive heart."

God's Word says:
"The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still."

The Lord comes in a whisper.
Will I quiet myself to hear it?

song: Silent Night (Emmanuel) ~ Matt Maher

We are here today: we face the dawn of Redeeming grace.
The sun rises and the sun sets - You, O Lord inspire our praise.
The gift of Jesus, the Love poured down: fill our hearts once again.
Refresh our imaginations.
Renew our commitment to live, walk and love through Your grace.

You alone are worthy.
Jesus, precious gift of life for now and eternity.
We bow our hearts, we bow our lives before You.
Only You.

song:  O Come Let Us Adore Him

I'm linking up with Sunday Setlists - even though this was a Saturday - to share this reading and offer it for your use.  Please let me know if you plan on using it!

yes

So I've been reading Ann Voskamp's book 1000 Gifts.  This book is unlike anything I've ever read before!  It is challenging, but not threatening; encouraging but not patronizing.  It is one woman's journey and yet it could be every person's journey if they so chose.

Our Bible study group is supposed to be reading chapter 10 this week, but I've been having a hard time letting go of chapter 8.  (By that I mean I've only read half of chapter 9 and even what I've read I've barely retained because I keep thinking about her words on the previous pages.)

I thought maybe if I shared what the Lord has been whispering to me with YOU, I might be able to move on - and get the rest of my reading done by Wednesday morning!

I'm not going to give any context here - if you want it, go get the book (or put it on your Christmas list, you won't regret it!).  Here is the quote that begins with a verse:

"For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ"
 (2 Corinthians 1:20)
   Yes in Christ!
   To the Enfleshed Yes [Jesus] who said yes to this moment and yes to last year's illness and yes to the cracks of my childhood and yes to the nail and yes to my name in the Book of Life, hear me say YES!  Not "I'm worried." Not "I'm stressed out."  Not "I'm anxious."  Not "I'm too afraid."  Hear me say thank you.  Hear me say YES!  Watch me live a life of yes.  To all that was and is and is to come.  The power of sin and death and fear-sent-from-the-Enemy are forever ended because we can trust in the bridge even if it's caving, in God even when it's black, in manna-nourishment even when we don't know what it is.  The God whom we thank for fulfilling the promises of the past will fulfill His promises again.  In Christ, the answer to the questions of every moment is always Yes.
  The answer is always YES!

It reminded me of a time when God called our little family to say Yes to the unknown future.  When He asked if we would be obedient to Him even if we didn't know where we would go, what we would do, how we would survive.  It reminded me of the song He used to bring us to our knees in submission to His will for our life.

The song is Yes.

And today I look back and I see that the answers to His promises then were indeed yes - for our good, for His glory.

And today I hear Him ask me again - will you say YES?

Will you let go of yourself and your plans and your idea of what is good and appropriate and deserved and simply say yes to what I have in store for you?  Will you give Me the opportunity to show you all the yes-es to My promises?   I will never leave you.  I will never forsake you.  Do not be afraid.  Just say...YES.

How are you saying YES to God?

it's just me

every once in a while a strange thing happens to me.  i forget who i am.

my husband brought home this beautiful box of mandarine oranges,

and as i opened the box and saw all those perfect pieces of red tissue paper, i thought, i should craft something out of those papers!

and then i saw the solid cardboard base of the box and thought, i should mod-podge that and use it for...something.

and then i remembered - that's not something i would ever do.  that is simply not who i am!

as i laughed and laughed (to myself, at myself) i thought about how bizarre it is that i would even think about doing those things...

i thought about how i guess i'm not always who i thought i'd be "when i grew up."

i considered how i'm still surprised at how uncomfortable i am in social settings - i really thought i'd grow out that!

i wondered about how i became the kind of mom that (sometimes) bakes bread and (mostly) cooks from scratch, considering i wasn't really in to those things growing up.

i marveled again at the gift of my role in our church, the fun and challenge of serving, the joy of doing pre-marriage counseling (when our early years of marriage at times felt like an absolute disaster!).

God had a plan for me, a design for who i could become under His hand, and as long as i don't bother myself with comparison, i can like who i am.  imperfect, with lots of room to grow but uniquely me.  so what if i do things a little differently than others, or don't do really cool things that other really cool friends can do?  my only desire is to hear the voice of the Lord and do what He calls me to do.

it's just me.  some people will like me, some will not.  but my sense of approval and self-worth must come from Him alone.

Can we just embrace who God is creating us to be today?

The Lord will work out his plans for my life—

    for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. 

   Don’t abandon me, for you made me.

psalm 138:8 nlt

back at it

i'm so on-again, off-again with this blog that i probably shouldn't even talk about the fact that i'm so on-again, off-again.....boring.

instead i feel compelled to share something that happened a couple of weeks ago.  truth be told, it was more than something that "happened."  this thing rocked. my. world.

it's a bit of long (and again, boring) story, but the seating situation in our living room has recently changed.  after acquiring a piano (yay!), we had to take out a large arm chair and were left with our sectional.  in our small cozy space, the sectional works well and seats at least 5, so it's generally not a big deal.  until that is, it comes time for g and i to meet at the end of the day to relax and watch a bit of the ol' telly.  you see, he has always planted himself in the arm chair while i've sprawled on the sectional.

(heidi - do you see the plastic strawberry?
looks like i don't have wait until we move to get it! ha!)

again, not a big deal, but he is now joining me on the couch, where there really is a primary position and a less desirable secondary position.

if you know my husband, you know he self-sacrifices and gives me the better spot. (love.)

are you asking yourself if this all is enough to rock my world?

wait for it....

so a couple of weeks ago, i'm all snuggled up with my favorite blanket in the best seat in the house, and my darling husband is stretched out on the "other" side.  he looks less comfortable than i feel, so i suggest that he switches positions and puts his feet up on the coffee table - wouldn't that be more comfortable (and aren't i sooo helpful)?

he replies - wait for it....

i don't like feet on the coffee table.

i. don't. like. feet. on. the. coffee. table.

my brain slowly processes these words and my mind's memory reel flashes with a montage of my feet - in slippers, in flip-flops, in socks, bare, painting my toenails-forgoodnesssake!- on that coffee table.

what?  what? i question. you have a problem with feet on the coffee table? i ALWAYS put my feet on the coffee table!

for the next 24 hours - i am not kidding - i question him about this coffee table thing.  but the thing that i just can't get over is that he has never told me before.

do you know how many things i dislike that i've never told him?

exactly none.

any little dissatisfaction, distaste or dislike that crosses my pretty little mind - i mention.  out loud.  to him.

not just things about him, but about life, people, stuff and the world in general.  every little thing.

and here we've been married for 15 years (of propped-on-the-coffee-table-feet) and he never uttered a word about it.

he is not a saint (sorry sweetie!) and he is not a passive person.  he chose to let it go.  he doesn't like it, but it wasn't important enough to worked up about.  he literally works to live the words of Paul:

Instead, be kind to each other, 

tenderhearted, 

forgiving one another, 

just as God through Christ 

has forgiven you. 

eph 4:32 nlt

kind and tender-hearted.

is it possible that i could keep some of my opinions to myself and just let them go?  that i could chose kindness and tender-heartedness over brutal openness?

with God's help, i believe yes.  and with God's help, i'm working on it.

what's been rocking your world these days?

this day

today has been a tough day.

a tough day after a series of tough ~ full, busy, exhausting ~ days.

today we moved my mother-in-law into an assisted living home. after 40+ years in the family home, 6 years after my father-in-law passed away, she moved.  unwillingly.  unhappily.

her decline has been heartbreaking to watch and as much as we would have liked (in some ways) to pretend like everything was fine, and she was fine, she was not.  everything was not fine.  whether she knows it or not, we see it and can't ignore her needs...even when she doesn't acknowledge them.

the day was spent as family and dear friends from church (who are very much family also) helped move and set up her new place to be as comfortable as possible for her.  as a dear friend enjoyed her company for the afternoon, the rest of us lovingly arranged furniture, hung clothes, made up her bed and hung all her favorite artwork.  we prayed over her new little home and asked that God would give her peace. and would give us peace.

she will spend her first night there tonight, her daughter nearby, and our prayers go out all the more fervently - Lord, grant her Your peace.

as i surfed pinterest just to distract myself from the headache brewing behind my eyes, i thought of the little book i've been writing in while my Bible study group reads 1000 gifts.  it's my own gifts list.

be thankful, i heard the Spirit say. what will you add to the list today?

i am thankful for:
~an uplifting church service this morning that reminded me that i have 10000 reasons to bless the Lord, that my God saves and brings hope in His name
~friends that care for my mother-in-law even when she doesn't understand their actions as care
~family that was able to come together and work together for her
~friends that can arrange furniture and hang pictures, who care enough to get it right
~my parents who spent the day with my kids to keep them busy and happy
~so many loving prayers that went out from people who weren't able to carry boxes
~the kind tenants of her new place that gave cheery hellos, for the lady who gushed about how much she loves living there
~my mother-in-law who, though she couldn't say she was happy to be there, was able to acknowledge how much work we had done for her
~my great God who loves us and cares about what we care about, who loves our loved ones more than we can even begin to imagine

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our troubles, 

so that we can comfort those in any trouble 

with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.... 

On him we have set our hope that 

he will continue to deliver us,

as you help us by your prayers.

Then many will give thanks on our behalf 

for the gracious favor granted us 

in answer to the prayers of many.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4, 10-11

white flag

so guess what i'm not very good at?

blogging every day, that's what!

oh my goodness, i really thought it would be possible...turns out, it's completely not.  i'm thinking that the people who do this 31 days thing have a plan going in.  i'm guessing they don't decide the day of that they'll dive in.  i think they probably have a list of topics, and probably an alarm clock that they answer early in the morning.  sorry friends, but i can't be bothered with that!  this blog is my hobby and as i often find, as soon as you make something a "have to," it becomes a lot less fun.

so today, 11 days and 6 posts into the project, i wave the white flag.  i admit i'm not going to finish and i'm ok with that.

i'm still thinking about contentment and thanksgiving.  i'm still reading One Thousand Gifts with my Bible Study group.  i even started my own list just yesterday.  i'll still write about what the Lord is teaching me - you know that well will never run dry!

i'm just not going to worry about trying to find time/energy/ideas for a blog post every, every day.

okie dokie?

in other white flag news,  the passion 2012 album by the same title is most definitely my favorite album of the year!  it probably has something to do with being present at the conference and part of the live recording...  nevertheless, i LOVE it!  so here's one of my absolute faves - 10 000 Reasons by Matt Redman.

at Bible study yesterday, one friend said she had started her 1000 gifts list but wasn't numbering them. we all agreed that was a cool idea, because who knows how many she would end up writing down!

maybe even ten thousand.

7 & 8

i'm at a bit of a loss of what to write.

i feel thankful for all i have,

for the many ways the Lord has blessed my life.

but you reach a certain age, or maturity perhaps,

and realize that being happy in yourself 

isn't always enough.

i feel burdened for a loved one who is struggling.

i feel sad for the loss they are facing,

for the inability to face the truth of their circumstances.

i want to help.

i want to make it better somehow.

i want the days to move faster so the anticipation 

becomes the reality.

but it is not my journey to walk.

there is nothing i can do to make it easier.

i can't help her remember.

all i can do is love.

'perfect love casts out fear.'

i can get my hands dirty when the time comes

and speak Truth with an extra measure of Grace.

and i can pray.

Lord,

"Though the mountains be shaken
    and the hills be removed..."

please show her that

 "[Your] unfailing love for [her] will not be shaken
    nor [Your] covenant of peace be removed,”
and give her a deep sense of your compassion.

 (isaiah 59:10)

may she find thanksgiving in time for next Thanksgiving.

amen.

day 5 & 6

...this blogging every day.... pretty impossible for me, it seems!  it's been a fairly busy couple of days, but i have continued to try and think of things for which to be thankful!

friday
~grocery shopping:
Thank You Lord for enough money to feed my family a healthy balanced diet that includes treats too!

~oops, there goes that 'weird thing' the van was doing!
Thank You Lord that the mechanic was able to take a look at and fix our van right away so we wouldn't have to worry about it while driving around this long weekend.

~lunch with my husband:
These days are so much busier than before - thank You Lord that we still are able to connect by grabbing at these moments.

~difficult talk with failing relative:
Lord thank you for this woman who has meant so much to so many people, especially our family.  Thank you for Your grace and wisdom.

~staff meeting:
Thank You Lord for these friends I get to call co-workers and for a job that suits me perfectly and is one of the most satisfying things I've ever done.

~pick up kids from school:
Thanks Lord for the schools our kids attend.  For the loving atmosphere, for their teachers and friendships.  Thank you that they continue to grow and learn, that they are healthy.

~pick up the van:
Perfect timing, Lord - thanks! :)

~off to serve at Finding Freedom:
Thank You Lord for the work of this ministry to people with addictions.  Thank You for the things You have taught me and for allowing me to serve a small role on some Friday evenings.

~kids at kids club and youth group:
Thank You Lord for kids who enjoy being around other christian kids, who love to learn about You and sing to You.

~home again, bed time routine, couch-time with husband:
Thank You Lord for bringing us home safely together.  Thank You that we are all happy to be here and that we have these special moments at the end of the week.

saturday
~sleep in:
oooh, that felt great, Thanks Lord!

~tart making for family dinner:
Lord You have made such a wonderful variety of food for us to enjoy! Thank you for pumpkin, lemon and butter tarts!

~brownie baking with youngest:
Thank you Lord for patience and a soft voice, for being able to really enjoy working with my daughter this way.

~break-time! watched 'say yes to the dress' with girls:
Thank you Lord for the fun of dreaming of dresses and husbands and weddings.  Grant me your strength and grace in those days ahead.  Thank you for daughters who are close as sisters and imagine being each others maids of honour.

~shower time for everyone!
Thank You for hot water and nice smelling soap.  Thank You for fluffy towels and clean clothes.

~family Thanksgiving dinner (Nicolas side):
Thank You Lord for a family that enjoys being together, that can laugh at silly things again and again. Thank You for my Granny, even though she can't be as central to the conversation as she once was, she is such a blessing to be near.  She has always meant so much to me.

~home again, bed time routine, sunday prep:
Lord You have brought us home together again - thank you.  Thank You for sweet times of prayer at bedsides.  Thank You for calm moments and plenty of rest.  Thank You that we get to go to Your house tomorrow.

A busy couple of days, but endless reasons to praise!  A good reminder for myself to keep looking up!

day 4

Today was cleaning day.

There's nothing overly remarkable about that since I do it pretty much every week.  I'm not trying to say having a clean home is good or bad, necessary or a waste of time.  You probably already have your own opinion about that!

I do want to tell you why I clean my home every week because it relates to this 31 day topic of contentment & thanksgiving.

For me, taking care of the things God has given our family is a way of showing how thankful I am.  Regularly vacuuming and washing the floors remind me of the blessings He has poured out.  How He has given us more than I had ever hoped to imagine.

As I clean and polish, dust and organize, I know where everything is.  This helps me to be a good steward by not having to re-buy things I already own but can't locate.

Regular fluffing shows me again how pretty my home is (to me), that I have a lot to be thankful for, that there's nothing to add to what I have.  I truly feel more content with my home when I see it in it's best state.

**If regular house cleaning is not something that you value, please understand that I don't make any judgements on you even though my home is pretty tidy.  I just like my house clean better than not.  When I go to your house I'm there to see you, not to examine your living space! :)

31 days

of Thanksgiving

day 3

(do you like the clever titles for these daily posts?  i figure if i can actually write the post, i don't need to worry about thinking up a title... that's my story and i'm stickin' to it!)

El Roi - the God who sees me

When Hagar ran away from her home it was because she had been mistreated, disrespected and misunderstood.  She hadn't asked to conceive Abram's child.  She wasn't looking for a way to come between husband and wife.  The very woman who put her into this situation is the one that drove her away.

Sitting next to a little spring in the desert, the angel came and ministered to her.  She proclaimed God as the One who sees her when she felt so invisible.  Even though not all the news the angel shared was good, all that really seemed to matter was that she was seen.  That she was heard by someone.

contentment Truth:

God sees you. (Gen 16:13)

God cares about you and pays attention to you. (Ezekiel 36:9)

God loves you forever and ever no matter what. (Jeremiah 31:3)

Take a moment to imagine the reality of the Creator of the universe intimately aware and concerned about YOU.....you.

What else do we need?

I've been listening to this song on repeat for days.  I hope it speaks to you the way it does to me!

Blessings to you this day ~ Be Thankful

31 days

of Thanksgiving

day 2

it might not be "officially" in any medical books, but blogger's remorse is a real thing.  (if you blog, you know.)

all day yesterday after i posted, i regretted it.  not the posting, but admitting my current struggle in such a public way.  what will people think?

i live a very satisfying life, anyone can see that!  what will they think of me when they hear that i struggle to keep content with all i have?

i have a husband who is kind, faithful, smart and fun.

i have three healthy, vibrant, relatively obedient children, who never ever have to go without milk to drink.

i have a very cute and cozy home home full of things that are special to me.

i have a job that i feel is a direct gift from the Lord's hand.

i am healthy and strong in my body and mind (most days).

i have a rich heritage of faith and a cloud of witnesses in my daily life to help me.

not content?  that's just gross!

but here's what the Lord whispered to me:

don't worry about what you think people see - the externals don't matter.  the enemy can always find a way to dig into our deepest fears and desires, twisting them to dissatisfaction.  if you don't protect yourself by surrounding yourself with the Truth, you will fall into the temptation that nothing is enough.  that you are not enough.

Thanks Lord!

contentment Truth:

"Humble yourself, therefore, under God's mighty hand,

that He may lift you up in due time.

Cast all your anxiety on Him because

He cares for you.

Be alert and of sober mind.

Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion,

looking for someone to devour.

Resist him, standing firm in the faith...."

1 Peter 5:6-9

"Taste and see that the Lord is good;

blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.

Fear the Lord, you his saints,

for those who fear Him lack nothing.

The lions may grow weak and hungry,

but those who seek the Lord lack 

no good thing.

Psalm 34:8-10

God is Faithful.

the devil is a liar.

The Lord has things to teach me and I will not let my pride get in the way. If He told me to do this here, maybe someone out there needs to hear the same things.  

Humble yourselves, friends, and watch that lion starve!

31 days

of Thanksgiving

all month long

So there's a linky party around blog-land that happens once a year over at Nesting Place.  It comes around each October and it's called "31 days."  The point is to blog about one topic every day of this month, as a challenge for yourself and for the enjoyment of your readers.

I've never blogged even half the days of one month, and I could never really see myself doing so, so I didn't even consider joining in.

But something happened:

at the same time I was planning to attend a family Thanksgiving dinner....

at the same time I was sitting down to arrange a Thanksgiving church service...

at the same time I was thinking about my Thanksgiving table-scape for the dinner I'm hosting...

I noticed a discomfort in myself.  Not happy...but without any specific reason.  Easily frustrated...without a legitimate cause.  Overly sensitive...without hormonal influence!

I've been feeling fine lately, I thought to myself, what is this?

I passed by my Bible study reading - why am I avoiding this? 

And then it hit me.

Really, Lord?  How many times do I have to beat down this monster?

discontent.

I picked up my Bible study book, I should at least read the chapter.

One Thousand Gifts.

A book I've heard about a lot, but had never read.  I knew the basic premise - be thankful, list all the good God has brought into your life.  I figured that would be easy enough, and Ann Voskamp would probably have some interesting insights about it all.  I joined the Women's group reading the book together on Wednesday mornings and figured I was doing my part.  I was not dismayed when our leader said this book would challenge us in ways we've never know.  I was not turned off by Lysa Terkeurst's (love her!) quote on the back of the book that said this book would "mess" with me.  I'm thankful, I've got this.

As I stumbled through the words of chapter two my heart and stomach churned.  I learned that I haven't even begun to learn about being thankful.  Deep gratitude.  Overflowing joy.  Salvation.

Then the whisper came.

Next week is Thanksgiving for us here in the northern part of North America.  Why not spend the whole month looking to understand what it means to be thankful?  Why not challenge myself to see the gifts for each day and share them here?

I won't worry about linking up with the group.  I didn't count the list, but I'm pretty sure there are a jillion people joining in.  I'm not worried about being heard here.  I just know what the Lord is calling me to do, and I want to be the kind of follower who obeys.

Join me if you can, I'd love to share this journey with you!
 

31 days

of Thanksgiving