Thanks

It has been a wonderful week of thanks and my heart is overflowing with gratitude for so many things. If I were to list my blessings I think I would be embarrassed at the abundance of them, especially when there is so much pain and want in the world. But I know I am blessed.

Lord, in this busy holiday season help me to remember those less fortunate than I. Help me to think about the child that has nothing when I am wrapping gifts for my grandchildren. Help me to remember the thousands that go to bed hungry when I am socializing with friends around tables of abundance. And help me to remember those who are serving in our military when I am enjoying my family all around me. Lord, please make me always mindful of those who are not as fortunate as I.

And thank you Lord for the things I have. I know I am not worthy.

Season of thanks

Dear Lord in this season of thanks please help me remember that I have things to be thankful for all year. Let me always have a grateful heart for my many blessings. Don't allow me to be distracted by the little things that tend to get me down but help me to always stay focused on the larger picture: my family, my friends, my community.

Thank you for the roof over my head, despite the leaky moments! Thank you for a wonderful family regardless of the trials that go along with that blessing! Thank you for a church that embraces me and teaches me and guides me, even when it also frustrates me. And thank you for your constant presence in my life. May I never fail to recognize it, even when so many other things are clamoring for my attention.

Thank you this time which reminds us to remember to give thanks...

Feeling low

Dear God please give me the energy I need to get through yet another day when I feel so lousy! It's that in-between kind of sick that is so hard to deal with: well enough to get out of bed and function but not well enough to enjoy doing it.

Mostly Lord, remind me that there are millions of people in the world who get up every day feeling lousy. There are people who will never feel good, who may have chronic pain, who are suffering physically as well as mentally for so many different reasons. Help me to remember those people, to pray for those people, and to be loving and kind to those people when I have contact with them, which I often do. Don't let me look past them and ignore their suffering, but rather offer a kind word or a helping hand.

And most of all, may I never take my own good health for granted. My feeling "not-so-great" reminds me how wonderful it is to feel really good the rest of the time.

Cold weather

I always think about our military when the temperature drops at this time of the year. I imagine that's because my father served during WWII and talked about how cold it was in the winter of '43 during the Battle of the Bulge. So I guess our young men and women could also be suffering from the effects of the extreme weather and I worry about them.

Lord, in this week of remembering our military men and woman, please bring to them the peace of knowing that you are with them, that you care about them, and that we are thinking about them too. May they feel your presence in a real and tangible way. And may we never forget how they are serving us in a fragmented and dangerous world. Thank you for them. Thank you that they are willing to serve. And thank you for the freedoms we have because of them.

Oh and Lord-please keep them warm.

Too busy

I'm feeling overwhelmed God. Please help me prioritize my life! I have this way of getting in over my head, doing multiple projects at one time and not pacing myself well, and then when I'm in the middle of it all, the stress can be brutal. I need wisdom and I need to learn how to say "no". How can I find that ability God?

As my busy life begins to unravel, help me to sit down, put things in proper perspective, and rest in you.

Season of thanks

Now that we are into November it puts me in the mindset of giving thanks. Of course I am always grateful for my many blessings, but this month we all spend time really concentrating on the things we thank God for, so here I go:

God - thank you for:
A world that is more amazing and fascinating every day.
A home that I can retreat to when that world seems daunting.
A family that I love and that I know loves me back.
A group of friends that are there for me when I need them, just as I am there
for them when they need me.
A purpose and a mission: to love you and glorify you forever.
A healthy mind and body.
A church family that I count on for support and guidance.
A husband whom I still love and want to be with every day.
Food on my table and clothes on my back.
Beauty all around me.
The confidence that comes with seeking your will.
Skills I can use for your glory.
Hope for the future when things look so hopeless.
An eye toward tomorrow when others are focused on today.

Make me ever mindful of these and my other blessings Lord, too many to list. And may I never forget them, despite the difficult days, the hard times, the worries over money and health and life.
Most of all help me to keep my perspective on what the important things in life really are.