Family, Fun and Gratitude

The month of November is a perfect time to stop and reflect on our blessings. Every year, when November rolls around, I get geared up to make a 'thankful list', deliberately choose to count my blessings, make a gratitude journal etc.

Then....December comes and slowly the rush of Christmas preparations can push aside that attitude of gratitude. This year, my focus is not just to 'do gratitude', but to 'live out gratitude'.

Gratitude isn't simply being thankful, it goes beyond the blessings, to recognize the hope that we have in the Lord. It is what give us hope and help in the hard times. It is a steadfast heart that looks to God who alone brings all things together for our good.

One of many people's richest blessings is family. Once marriage occurs, we gain family, grow, stretch and learn to love differently. Family love stretches our hearts and lives. I've been blessed with an incredible and loving family and married into a larger but just as wonderful family. This weekend many of us ladies gathered together to celebrate an upcoming wedding. A house full of ladies with one purpose - to celebrate and fellowship made for a cherished memory. With one bride-to-be, there were many different sides of family represented, some local, from some from long distances, those we see often, those we haven't seen for years, some we've never met!! But what a great time it was and of course a photo opportunity that couldn't be ignored!!

This is my 'thankful post' this week...thankful for all family, but especially for this ladies day!!

Beautiful Ladies - aunts and nieces!

The girls selfie!!

The other side!!

Some of my nieces and I

Sisters in heart, bonded by family!!

Comments

Sometimes We Score, Sometimes We Block

Our family is in the midst of little league soccer season. My youngest son is playing and his enthusiasm is contagious. He is pretty good at the sport, but what makes it so great is that he loves it! He counts the days until the next game or practice. He loves his coach and teammates. He has moved up an age level this year and the players are working more like team, passing to each other and watching out for each other during play. During the last game, my son scored two goals, they were the only goals of the game. In today's game the team scored eight goals. My son came up afterwards to me and said, "I didn't score today, but I blocked". What a powerful truth those words can hold. In life, sometimes we score, sometimes we block. Sometimes we do great things, we excel, we achieve, we meet our goal - we score! There are also times we see the needs of others, sometimes they are sad or hurting, we block their hits. We look out for them so they can score. We...

Paths of Prayer

Today, I'm joining up with Five Minute Friday, a fun writing opportunity to connect and share a quick thought on this week's theme "Path". For many years, when coming across a Scripture about 'paths', it turned into a prayer and desire to be led down God's open paths. Through the years of life which included, marriage, keeping a home, job, raising children and as they began to explore their own paths, seeking God and His paths became a vital part of life and prayer. As God's Word reveals God's goodness and His ways, I want to be walking - living a lifestyle on the paths that He leads. Some of my favorite 'path' verses include: Proverbs 4:18 "But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day." Psalm 25:4, "Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths," Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding; in all your way...

Word-Filled Wednesday

I love participating in Word Filled Wednesday . This is hosted over at 160 acrewoods and is designed to share God's Word with verse and picture. Go over and take a peek - you will be blessed! The verse I chose for today is one of my favorite verses. A while back during an intense trial of watching a loved one struggle with addiction - ready to lose everything over the addiction, I read this verse and it spoke to my heart clearly. Without God - there is no hope, the things of this world will leave you empty and void. Chasing after the things of the world is like chasing the wind, you just can't grasp it. But in God there is hope. Even though the trial may be tough and challenging, God is hope and He will fill you with peace and joy as you believe in Him and you will abound in hope. May your day be blessed and filled with HOPE!

Joyfull Living

Search This Blog