A Little Random Thankfulness

Honestly, it's been one of those weeks where I've struggled just to get up and get moving each day. I'm tired and nothing seems to be slowing down to give me a chance to catch up. Not meaning to complain, more to explain why this may seem a little choppy and I'm sticking to simple bullet points tonight. :)

So, here we go...

I am thankful....

• that God will see me thru this week and every week that follows.  He will see that I am caught up on my rest and provide my tired mind the opportunity to slow down.
• for my family that keeps me going and never ceases to bring a smile to my face.
• for the Bible Study I've been participating in.. if you get the chance, check out "One In a Million" by Priscilla Shirer.  It's a great study about how God is with us, sees us thru, and teaches us as we journey through the wildernesses in our lives.
• for a church that is committed to our children and teaching them of God's love.  There is always something going on for them, providing them with great fun, wonderful ways to learn of God and about His Word, and a safe place for them to be as they grow up.
• for my warm and cozy bed where I can lay my head down tonight and ssssllllleeeepppppp. :)
• for the opportunity to share with each of you every week the many blessings the Lord has given me.

Happy Thankful Thursday!


What are you thankful for today? Join us in sharing our thanksgivings this week by visiting Lynn at "Spiritually Unequal Marriage".

Love the Rain

Leviticus 26:34 "I shall give you rains in their season, so that the land will yield its produce and the trees of the field will bear their fruit."


Today I am thankful for the rain! We don't see alot of that in Texas this time of year. It tends to be more hot and dry in July around here. However, the last couple of weeks we have seen quite a bit of rain. We even experienced a slight drop in temperatures and humidity for a few days. What a treat!

Our yard is green without any assistance from the sprinklers, too. We have a few more weeds since the rain seems to have encouraged them to grow, but I'm just going to be thankful for them anyway because they are green, green, green. Instead of dry and brown. Woo-hoo!

As I am out in the yard this weekend pulling up all those GREEN weeds, I'm going to be thankful for the rain, rain, rain!! :)

Happy Thankful Thursday!


What are you thankful for today? Join us in sharing our thanksgivings this week by visiting Lynn at "Spiritually Unequal Marriage".

So Thankful

I love this time of the week when I can sit down and express in words how thankful I am for the many, many blessings God has given to me. My mind is full of many things this week, so I thought I'd just list them out (I promise I won't list them all... it could get lengthy! After all, God is so very good!)

• Safe travels - I have traveled much, much more than usual this year with my job.  God has kept me safe each and every time.  Additionally, as I've watched many of my co-workers experience all sorts of travel delays, I have only had one and I believe it was only about a 45 minute delay.  Woo-hoo!  This one is particularly great when it's time to catch that plane home each week... the quicker the airline gets me home, the better! :)
• Great neighbors - tonight while I am again out of town, my husband had a work emergency that needed to handled outside of normal business hours.  One of our terrific neighbors watched both kids while he was gone, took them to their swimming lessons, and then on to McDonald's for dinner.
• Bible Studies with friends - this same neighbor invited me several weeks ago to join her and two other neighbors in a Bible Study that is led and hosted by a friend. It is a group of women (I think total is around 25) from around our community that last year started a summertime Bible Study.  I was unable to join the first couple of weeks as I was out of town one week and helping with VBS at our church last week.  I'll be able to join this next week and I am really looking forward to participating.
• Long weekends - I am so looking forward to the upcoming holiday weekend.  A great time to relax and enjoy family and friends as we celebrate the freedoms we have in our country.

Last, but most certainly not the least (this clearly should be before my list instead of after!), I am so thankful for my God.  He strengthens me, protects me, comforts me, and always loves me regardless of the day, the situation, or the struggles.


What are you thankful for today? Join us in sharing our thanksgivings this week by visiting Lynn at "Spiritually Unequal Marriage".

Friendships from God

Living in Kansas City as a college student and young adult, God gave me the best group of friends. We all met at church and we hung out together, graduated together (well, not literally, as we went to different colleges), experienced our first "real" jobs together, grew in our Christian walk together, some of us got married, some even had children during that time. And some of us, including myself, moved to other parts of the country.  As we moved, we did so knowing we had the best group of friends that thought of us, prayed for us and supported us in our new journeys.

Over the years, we've not kept in touch well. Which, in my case, is almost shameful as one of these great friends lives only an hour or so away from me. We both admit to being quite poor at keeping in touch. :)

As I've grown older and experienced many life changes -- dating, marriage, children, jobs, etc -- I've learned that friendships sometimes are harder to make as we grow older. And, many times, are different.  In many cases, friends you have as a couple are different than friends when you are single and so on.  And, quite honestly, I've mourned that fact over the last couple of years. I have many friends, but none like those dear friends from my young adulthood.

A month or so ago, I was bemoaning this fact to my husband. He gently reminded me of all the friends I do have and how special each one is, but I wanted that "special" friendship.  In that moment, I wanted what I wanted and nothing he could say made me feel any better.

The next weekend I dug my cell phone out from where it is usually buried deep in my purse and found a message left by the friend I mentioned earlier that only lives about an hour away. Carla had left a message to let me know that another friend from this same group was coming to town in a few weeks and would I be around to be spend some time together? Would I be around??!! You bet... no matter what!

As they pulled into our driveway last Saturday, it was like there had been no time since we had last seen each other. I hadn't seen Carla in almost two years and Betty I hadn't seen in 12 years. It was if those years didn't exist.

As the three of us, along with my husband and children and Betty's newly adopted son, sat around and talked and laughed and shared and laughed some more, God gently reminded that I DID have special, dear friends. I already had the friendships that I had been asking God for over the last few years.  

What I needed to do was to BE a friend and keep in touch.  I live in a large metropolitan area where a one hour drive is nothing.  Why am I not spending more time with Carla that lives that distance from me?  Betty lives in another state, but in this age of technology how hard is it to pick up a phone, type an email, or send a text message?

So, this week, I am thankful for wonderful and dear friends that are with me where ever I go. They may not be physically nearby or a part of my daily life, but they are there and I need to protect those friendships, nurture them and not let them slip away.

I'm also thankful for such a sweet reminder from God that He has already answered my prayer and did so many years ago when I was first setting out on my own. He gave me a very, very special gift in this group of friends.  Friends that I found I am as close to today as we were when we first met over 20 years ago.



What are you thankful for today? Join us in sharing our thanksgivings this week by visiting Iris at "Grace Alone.... ".

Thankful

"How marvelous it is that God became a man and walked among us. Had He not chosen to do so, we might feel removed from a distant Creator. But ours is not a distant God. Ours is a God who understands -- far better than we ever could -- the essence of what it means to be human.

God understands our hopes, our fears, and our temptations. He understands what it means to be angry and what it costs to forgive. He knows the heart, the conscience, and the soul of every person who has ever lived, including you. And God has a plan of salvation that is intended for you. Accept it. Accept God's gift through the person of His Son Christ Jesus, and then rest assured: God walked among us that you might have eternal life; amazing though it may seem, He did it for you".


These are the words that greeted me a few mornings ago as I sat down for my morning devotional. The thought is one that I have had often over the last year or so... how blessed we are to have a God that doesn't just know how we feel, but has experienced and understands those same feelings.
It is so comforting to know that my God that I turn to in times of fear, in times of sorrow, and in times of happiness has experienced those same feelings. For that, I am thankful!!


What are you thankful for today? Join us in sharing our thanksgivings this week by visiting Iris at "Grace Alone.... ".

A Plan and a Promise

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.   Jeremiah 29:11


It's so easy to get caught up in the things we don't like about our lives, isn't it? It's so easy to ask God why --

• Why must we struggle financially?
• Why can't my job be less stressful?
• Why can't life be less "busy"?
• Why must I struggle with this illness?  disease?  loss of a loved one?

The questions can go on and on.

What we fail to see, though, is that while today, tomorrow, next month, or next year may be less than ideal.... there is a purpose for it all.  We get so wrapped up in the day-to-day, that we fail to realize there is a bigger picture.  A bigger picture that may never be fully defined for us, but a bigger picture nonetheless.  A bigger picture that God sees and that God leads us toward each and everyday if we will only follow.

It is that picture for which I am thankful this week.  I might not always like where God has me at any given moment -- it may be hard and it may not be fun -- but I know that His plans have a purpose that promises me hope and prosperity.  I may never know the full "big picture", but I can rest assured that God knows and that I can trust Him regardless of where I may be in the "day-to-day".


What are you thankful for today? Join us in sharing our thanksgivings this week by visiting Laurie at "Women Taking a Stand".

East or West, Home is Best

Last week I spent 4 days in Georgia and this week I'm in California for 4 days. Next week, I'll be back east in Massachusetts for 4 days, I'll then in Missouri for two days (actually, not even quite that long) and then I'll be back in California for 2 days.

In between each trip, I'll be home in Texas for a day or two, maybe three depending on the week. Each place is great as each state is beautiful, the people I encounter are kind and so easy to work with... or, in the case of the trip to Missouri I get to spend time with family that I don't see nearly as often as I would prefer.

However, what has stood out to me the most is that, whether I am east or I am west or I am right in the middle of the country, Home is Best. And, I don't mean the state of Texas when I say that. Oh, yes... there are many things about Texas that I love. But, when I say "HOME" I mean the home I have with my husband and children.

God has truly blessed me with the family he has given to me. I couldn't ask for more. I have always felt so blessed to have the parents, sisters, extended family that God gave me. Since I got married almost 14 years ago (our anniversay is next week!) God has shown me even more in the way of family blessings.

He has given me a husband that is so kind and loving. Regardless of what I might say or do... his love is unconditional. He supports me in all that I do and follows that with helping me in any way that he can. He loves our children dearly and is involved in every aspect of their lives. I don't travel for work too often, but when I do as I have lately, he takes care of everything back home without a worry or a complaint. I certainly miss them all when I'm gone, but I don't have to worry. I know he's got it all under control.

God has given two of the most absolutely adorable, fun-filled, sweet kids ever (I know, I know.. all Moms say that, but I REALLY mean it!.. smile).

Josh is my almost always positive child, who is easily excitable with the type of excitement that is just impossible to keep inside and hide from anyone. Such a joy... it is hard to be down when this kid is up!

Abby, my sweet and giving and easy to laugh little girl. She tells us she loves us at least a half a dozen times everyday... without fail. She shares her little heart openly and expresses such sweet concern for others... her teachers, schoolmates, friends... really anyone that she encounters.

As I sit in sunny California on this evening, I'm saying a special prayer of Thanksgiving for the "HOME" God has given me. I love you, my sweet family, and can't wait until I see you on Friday!



What are you thankful for today? Join us in sharing our thanksgivings this week by visiting Laurie at "Women Taking a Stand".

Thankful as They Grow

As a parent, I enjoy watching my kids do just about anything.... play, sing, read, interact with others, etc. However, I think one of my very favorite things is to watch them and interact with them when they are learning about the Lord.


Over the weekend we had a chance to see "Big Daddy Weave" in concert (by the way, if you get the chance to see them you must go.. great Christian group!). My daughter is 5 yrs old and had a hard time seeing the band over the tops of everyone's heads. So, my husband stepped out into the aisle a bit and put her up on his shoulders so she could see. Oh, what a grand time she had!

One of the songs they sang was one entitled "Just the Way I Am". The chorus is this: "You love me, You love me You love me just the way I am." As I looked up at her high on Daddy's shoulders those were the words she was singing. None of the other words, just those. And, sing them she did at the top of her lungs over and over again. If she can even begin to hold on to those words now and carry them with her thru life -- always knowing that God loves her just as she is -- what a wonderful truth she will have to cling to thru many tough situations in life (oh, my... especially thru those tough teen years!)

My son is working on his God and Country badge for Cub Scouts. This is something that he and my husband are working on together as a father and son activity.  Over the weekend, they sat down at the kitchen table to do their assignments for the week. This week they were looking at John 3:16 and one of the tasks they had to do was re-state the verse in their own words. As I sat in the other room and listened, I can't even begin to explain what a privilege it was to listen to them talk about what that verse meant... what is eternal life, how great a gift is it that God gave us in his son? Truly a special moment for me.

So, this week, I am thankful for the many opportunities my children have to learn about the Lord. Opportunities at church, thru their extra-curricular activities, in daily conversation we have at home, and so many others. Thank you, Lord!


What are you thankful for today? Join us in sharing our thanksgivings this week by visiting Laurie at "Women Taking a Stand".

Time to Relax

Wow! Life has been busy the last couple of weeks. It's included travel, school activities, church activities, work, a little stress, not as much sleep as I normally am able to get, and little time to be still and rest.

It has made me so thankful for the time that I am able to be still. Time to relax. Time to enjoy. Time to laugh and play with my family.

And, wouldn't you know... just when I am ready for it the most... here comes Spring Break! Which for us means a break from school for the kids and some vacation time for Mom and Dad. I think that it couldn't come at a better time for everyone of us.

So, this week I am ever so thankful for the week ahead of us to just enjoy and catch up on everything from time together to some much needed sleep!

What are you thankful for today? Join us in sharing our thanksgivings this week by visiting Laurie at "Women Taking a Stand".

Thankful for New Days

"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

This time last week I was at the end of a long day full of many frustrations. I allowed myself to get so caught up in those frustrations that I focused on the frustrations and not the many good things of the day. I was doing everything except rejoice in the day the Lord had given to me.

As I crawled in bed that night, I had that moment of revelation. You know the one... where you suddenly realize that you've allowed your focus to shift away from God. It's that moment where you realize if you would have turned it over to God from the very beginning that it would have all turned out so differently. For me, it's that moment where I just want to knock myself upside the head because I've been there so many times that you would think I would know what needs to be done by now.

I fell asleep that night praying. Asking God to forgive me for moving so far away during the day and completely turning over to Him the frustrations of the day.

I woke up the next morning feeling better than I had all week. I had slept better than I had in several nights. Gone were the feelings of frustration and in its place was a peace and calmness. As I backed out of my driveway the song, "New Day" by Avalon came on the radio. I don't doubt for even one minute that God fully intended for me to hear that song at that exact moment.  Here are the lyrics to the first verse...

Lookin' back on yesterday
There are things that I regret
But I put the past behind me
And I never will forget
You have covered my mistakes
And my broken dreams
Now over the horizon
I see the dawn is drawing near
And I realize the sun did rise
Tomorrow's finally here

Isn't God good? When we do turn it all over, He takes it and carries it for us. He replaces our discouragement, our frustrations, our disappointments, with peace and comfort and a love that is unending and neverfailing.

Since that day last week, God has shown me in many ways the gift He has given us with each new day. A new day to start over, a new day to be with family and friends, a new day to love and serve Him, and new day to reach out to this hurting world in which we live.

I am thankful for new days. I am thankful for God's love, for God's peace, for God's comfort.

What are you thankful for today? You can join us in sharing our thanksgivings this week by visiting Iris at "Grace Alone...".

Thankful thru Scripture

This week....

I am thankful for strength that comes from God.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phillippians 4:13

I am thankful that I can give all my worries to God. I am thankful that He cares for me.
"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you..." Psalm 55:22

I am thankful for God's gift of peace.
"I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn't fragile like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid." John 14:27

I am thankful that God listens and hears us when we turn to Him.
"I waited patiently for God to help me; then He listened and heard my cry." " Psalms 40:1

I am thankful that God is always with me.
"Be strong! Be courageous! Do not be afraid of them! For the Lord your God will be with you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6


Those are just a few of the things I am thanful for this week.  What about you?  What are you thankful for?


To join us in sharing our thanksgivings this week, visit Iris at "Grace Alone...".

Thankful for Encouragement

A couple of years ago, I started talking with my husband about starting my own business. At that point it was more about "doing my own thing" instead of being employed by another large company. I had always wanted to start a business, but had never done it. Additionally, I was beginning to grow weary of the workload, stress and expectations of the job I had been in for a number of years.

It was time for a change. And, from that, we started Beads-N-Style. Our goal is that once business is stronger (both for this business and my husband's company) I will quit my "day job" and do this full time. Hopefully, with a little more control over how much business, etc, it will provide more flexible work hours and more time for family. Yes, we do know that running your own businesses can be stressful, too... nothing is perfect. But, we see many positives in this for us as a family.

As these types of things usually go, it has been a slow change and one that is still in progress. We have tried to seek the Lord's will every step of the way. While this is something that I really want to do, I also know that it will never be right unless it is the Lord's will.

The business is growing slowly, but it is growing. Over the last 6 months, we have seen a small increase in sales each month. And, just 2 weeks ago, we began working with our first reseller which has already brought in almost as much sales over the last two weeks as we normally see in a month.

So, this week, I am thankful for God's encouragements. I have seen many in this area over the last few months. It seems this is God's will. And, until He shows us differently, we will continue to proceed in this direction. Watching and waiting for each of His signs of encouragement.. whatever direction He may be leading.


To join us in sharing our thanksgivings this week, visit Iris at "Grace Alone...".

Rest and Relaxation

Rest and Relaxation.

This is what I am thankful for this week.

Life gets so busy. Even though the many things to do are still there, I have had extra time in the evenings and the last couple of weekends to get a little extra rest, enjoy some quiet time, and just enjoy the moment.

Time to enjoy a good book.

Time to sleep a little later on a Saturday morning.

Time to sit quietly with my husband and simply enjoy being together.

Time to color with my daughter.

Time to sit with my son as he describes his latest "invention" that he has imagined and drawn.


I always make sure there is time to be with my husband and hang out with the kids, but it just seems that it has been easier lately. Not so many other things fighting for the time, not as many tasks waiting to be completed after the kids have gone to bed... simply more time to rest and relax and enjoy.

Thank you, Lord!! Just what this wife and mommy needed!


To join us in sharing our thanksgivings this week, visit Lynn at "Spiritually Unequal Marriage".

Thankful for "the basics"

This week as I have watched the coverage from Haiti my thanksgivings have focused alot on what we consider "basics". Unfortunately, for those in Haiti, many of them didn't even have many of these things prior to the earthquake. Oh, how my heart aches for them! And, how much I realize how very blessed we are to live in this country and to know the Lord!

I am thankful for....

• a roof over my head when I go to sleep at night
• my health and the health of my family members
• the ability we have to provide food, clothing, and shelter for our children
• clothes to wear and the ability to clothe my children
• a car to carry me to church, to work, to take the kids to school, etc
• "modern conveniences", such as, our washer and dryer, dishwasher, refrigerator
• clean water to drink and to user for bathing

I could continue on and on this evening, but I'm sure you can see where my thoughts are tonight.  We are so blessed in this country.  God has given us so very much.  I fear that so much of it we tend to take for granted.

As I am so thankful for all of this and much more, I pray that I would never take it for granted.....  that I would always be aware of how much I have in comparison to so many others in this world.  I pray that I would have a heart that is aware of and willing to share these many gifts with others that are hurting and in need.


To join us in sharing our thanksgivings this week, visit Lynn at "Spiritually Unequal Marriage".

Thankful

I've missed the last couple of "Thankful Thursdays", but I am glad to be back with it this week.  I think I might finally be getting back into a more normal routine after the holidays.

This week I am thankful for so many things. But, my biggest thanksgiving is my dear husband. He is kind, loving, and works hard to provide for his family. He's a good husband and father. He loves to spend time with each of us and does so many things, both big and small, for us. He sees that we are involved in church and works so well with me to raise our children to love the Lord.

While I am thankful for all those qualities each and every day, this week I am particularly thankful for his willingness to jump in and take care of everything at home. I have had to be out of town for work and he is home with the kids "holding down the fort". No complaints, no grumbling.... he just says "OK" and takes care of it all.

He is great, too, about taking the time to make sure I get updates of all that is going on at home. Throughout each day I get text messages with updates of the happenings at home. "I love you" messages from him and the kids, notes on homework status, and fun things they are doing together. My favorite message yesterday was that the dog had found a missing piece to a Christmas gift.... I almost laughed out loud in the middle of a meeting as I read the text message! :) Who would've thought the dog would find that little USB drive that came with one of my son's Christmas gifts?!

I miss them all so much, but I can assured that Jeff has it all under control while I am gone! Such a good feeling!!


To join us in sharing our thanksgivings this week, visit Lynn at "Spiritually Unequal Marriage".

Thankful for the Season

It's getting late... past my bedtime (which seems to get earlier and earlier the older I get... what is up with that???), but I couldn't "call it a night" without sharing a few things for which I'm thankful this week.

* I'm so thankful for the people in our church that are so committed to teaching our children about the Lord! My kids have had such great teachers in Sunday School, Pioneer Club, and other church activities. I can't put into words how much that means to this 'ole Mom!!

* I'm thankful for the ways the Lord is helping me to let go of the stress of the holiday season. I've been able to let go and just let Him take the worry and IT FEELS SO GOOD! I can enjoy the season more, focus more on the true meaning, and so on. A real blessing!

* I am thankful for this special time of year when we can celebrate in a big way the gift God gave us in His son. I believe we should always remember throughout the year, but I love that we have a time where we can focus in on the birth of Jesus.


I won't be around much over the next few weeks... going to take a brief break from blogging until after the first of the year. I pray you all have a blessed Christmas with much special time spent with family, with friends, and most of all, near to the Lord... listening for what His message is to you during the Christmas season.


To join us in sharing our thanksgivings this week, visit Laurie at "Women Taking A Stand".

So Many Blessings

I am struggling a bit tonight to write this post. Usually when this happens, it's because I can't get past certain negatives in my day enough and focus on the blessings. However, tonight it is the exact obvious.

Tonight I am seeing so many things for which to be thankful that I'm not sure where to start or how to write it all down. I am finding that the more I focus on the many blessings -- as opposed to the stuff in life that I don't like -- that I come to the point where I am just overwhelmed with all I have received from the Lord. The list becomes endless... from the large to the small, almost mundane... it is all good and all worthy of praise!

So, for tonight I think I will simply state my thankfulness like this.....


"Thank you, Lord, for showing me the many things in my life that are so very good and have been given to me by You. Thank you for showing me how much better life can be when I focus on You and on the many blessings you have bestowed on me rather than focusing on the things I encounter that I do not like. Thank you for all you to do for me and my family and all that you will continue to do in the future. Amen."


To join us in sharing our thanksgivings this week, visit Laurie at "Women Taking A Stand".

The Gift of Prayer

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20"

As I sit here tonight, my heart is so heavy for a number of my friends. So many are hurting --family problems, illnesses, out of work and on and on. My prayer list seems to grow daily as I learn of more and more needs.

Prayer is such a precious gift from God. Because of prayer we can take our cares and concerns straight to Him. We know He will listen. We know He will answer.

Even more powerful? When many of us come together in prayer. Whether we pray together in the same room or just bring the same concerns before him from wherever we are, there is power in those prayers.

I am thankful tonight for prayer. I am thankful to be a part of a community of believers that all feel prayer is real and that it is mighty. I am so thankful to be one of many to know and act on the fact that so much is found when we collectively take it ALL to the Lord in prayer.

Can I pray for you today? If so, please leave me a message in the comments or send me an email. I would be honored to pray and take your cares and concerns to the Lord today.


To join us in sharing our thanksgivings this week, visit Iris at "Grace Alone...".

You Can't Take Away My God!

I am so thankful that nothing can take away MY GOD! No matter what is happening around me -- changes, adjustments, hectic schedules, stress -- none of it can take my God away! The song says it perfectly, "My beating heart, My very soul, Is held by one who won't let go".

I hope you enjoy the song as much as I do! Happy Thankful Thursday!




All around
All of us
Fear has come and so we must
Ask ourselves
In who we trust
What we have here
Is not enough
So let it ring
In freedom sing

You can take away
Everything that I've been holding
You can take away the sun
You can take away the very air that I've been breathing
But you can't take away my God
Oh, my God, my God

Waves will come
And winds will blow
But it's not here I've found my hope
My beating heart
My very soul
Is held by one who won't let go
And so I'll cling
To You my King

You can take away
Everything that I've been holding
You can take away the sun
You can take away the very air that I've been breathing
But you can't take away my God
Oh, my God, my God

A hope that can't be lost
A love that can't be bought
You can't take away my God
Nothing high or low
Nothing you can control
You can't take away my God

You can take away
Everything that I've been holding
You can take away the Sun
You can take away the very air that I've been breathing
But you can't take away my God

No you can't
No you can't
Take away my God
No you can't
No you can't
No you can't
Take away my God, Oh My God, My God.




To join us in sharing our thanksgivings this week, visit Iris at "Grace Alone...".

How He Loves Us

This week I am thankful for all the reminders God gives us each and everyday that He loves us and cares for us. The people He places in our lives, the world He has given us, the "little things" that let us know He is very real and loves us so much.

Here's are just a few of things that come to mind:


* the 2nd and 3rd and 4th hug from my daughter before we part each morning

* the contagious laughter of my son

* the unexpected phone call from my husband in the middle of the day... calling just to say "I'm thinking of you"

* a sunny day

* the bird chirping outdoors when I wake in the morning

* the warm hug from a friend when you need it the most

* spring flowers blooming in the middle of fall (yes, we've gotten so much rain here the last few weeks that, along with warmer temps, a couple of bushes in my yard have started to bloom!)

* a quiet evening at home


I could go on and on... If we will only take the time to slow down and pay attention God shows us His love and His goodness each and everyday. It doesn't have to be something "big" or "deeply meaningful". It's there in the little and sometimes unexpected events of each and everyday.

How has God shown you recently that He loves you?


To join us in sharing our thanksgivings this week, visit Iris at "Grace Alone...".