Choosing to be thankful...

Today I thought about wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving; put up a few appropriate pics and calling it "done". But each time I would do that God would nudge me in another direction. Not about the day of Thanksgiving on the calender, or being "Thankful" for things or even for those people in our lives that we love. I need to share the importance of having a "Thankful Heart". In more cliched terms, having "an attitude of gratitude". And it's something I need to be reminded of.

OK, you're still going to get the pics...

It's easy in blogging to go the way of the pretty pictures, short and sweet posts about pretty things... a wonderful recipe, a room reveal, a great DIY project. And Hey, I'm all for those things, I do them all the time. But we don't often let our real world into this place. I'm guilty too.

We rationalize...

"no one wants to hear about my real life...

what I feel or think."

But sometimes it's good to share our thoughts and ideas

 and feelings about life.

I know we all have down periods, times when the state of our health is not what we'd like it to be. Sometimes we have relationship problems with spouses, or family, or friends. Most of us live within a budget of sorts, and thank goodness we do, otherwise we'd be redecorating continuously, (te he) There are times when life isn't all it's cracked up to be, but we put on a good face and keep on keeping on.

The point of all this is, that it's often the little cares, on top of the "big things", that can cause us to be bitter or unforgiving, hard minded, petty, or unfair to others. Little by little those small cares mount up and we find ourself smack dab in an unhappy general attitude...and that can be a place where we forget to be thankful and grateful for what we do have. It's no secret my health isn't what I'd like it to be. I never thought I'd be where I am at my age. Sometimes it makes me unhappy (ok, even angry) and frustrated...and I really don't like or want that. I want to daily be in a place of gratitude and thankfulness; because a place of gratitude is where I will find God's will and plan for my life. I won't preach. I just want to share a couple of verses of scripture that have been on my mind this last day or two as I've thought about Thanksgiving...

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16. Be joyful in all things 17. pray continuously 18. and give thanks in all situations and circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

(It's not saying that all situations are God's will for us, but that we should look to Him for our help)

Philippians 4:4-7
4. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5. Let your forbearing [spirit] be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Thanks for letting me share what's on my mind and heart. I'm hoping you have a Blessed and special day, and make that choice to be thankful. We all need the Peace that only God can bring to us.

xoxo,