If you are reading this , I wish you a VERY blessed Happy Thanksgiving Day. (you need not be Canadian)
I hope, like me, you can say that your cup overflows with thanksgiving.
I used to think being thankful depended on life being perfect, but of course that rarely comes to any of us.
Some of the most thankful people are the ones who seem to have the least reason to be thankful, and those least thankful with the most reason to be thankful !
So thankfulness is a condition of the heart -- a choosing to see one's glass half full instead of half empty.
Walking along the trails near where I live, I was surprised this week how many wild flowers are still blooming . I expect them in spring and summer but they are a pleasant surprise and special joy late in fall when I am not expecting them.
When we are asked to make a list of things we are thankful for , it is not hard to do and for most of us the list is long - a list of things we have received or enjoy.
"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
I hope, like me, you can say that your cup overflows with thanksgiving.
I used to think being thankful depended on life being perfect, but of course that rarely comes to any of us.
Some of the most thankful people are the ones who seem to have the least reason to be thankful, and those least thankful with the most reason to be thankful !
So thankfulness is a condition of the heart -- a choosing to see one's glass half full instead of half empty.
Walking along the trails near where I live, I was surprised this week how many wild flowers are still blooming . I expect them in spring and summer but they are a pleasant surprise and special joy late in fall when I am not expecting them.
When we are asked to make a list of things we are thankful for , it is not hard to do and for most of us the list is long - a list of things we have received or enjoy. While we are quickly thankful for the things we have received and for the blessings that are ours, do we think to be as thankful for the things we 'give' ?
Is the joy we experience when we give not like the joy of unexpected flowers?
In Acts 20:35 the disciples reminisce saying....
"And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "
"And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "
I would like to challenge you this Thanksgiving to be thankful for the things that you ae able to give -- be it practical giving to those in need , or comfort, or a timely word of encouragement or a loving hug.
"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1Th 5:18
"Dear Father, all good gifts come from you, for which we are so thankful today. May we also experience the joy of giving and being thankful that we can bless others out of what we ourselves have received. Amen"
Thank you Julie .. .it is so true, everything good comes from the Father. .so that includes the things we can give. I am thankful for that.
ReplyDeleteIt is so true. Through my illness I have become thankful in ways I never imagined. I feel love towards people I have never met and I realise that it has brought me so much closer to God. Not everything about being ill is bad.
ReplyDeleteAlice
Thank you for your lovely words. I pray for all people everywhere every evening, sometimes I may call attention to a specific person who has touched my heart. I try to be as generous as I am able in these rough economic times, and most of all be thankful for what I have. Sometimes I think about that saying "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade," I try to look on the good and bright side of everything.
ReplyDeleteJulie,
ReplyDeleteThank you for blessing us with special thoughts, pictures, and scripture. The days are especially hard hard right now. I'm not sure why other than a lot coming from all directions. I want to be more thankful, worry less, rest more and teach my daughter to do the same. Rita
Beautiful Julie! I love the cup running over :0)
ReplyDeleteI like that idea, Julie...being thankful for those things we can share.
ReplyDeleteMy cup runneth over with thankfulness today!
my cup runneth over on this Lord's Day,having read from someone I don't know such Christ-inspired gratitude acknowledging His Hand in the autumn beauty of those wild flowers and the joy of giving...Happy Thanksgiving from Northern California!
ReplyDeleteOur homily at Church was about this very subject. Our Priest related a story of an immigrant who came to him and asked for help. He was an excellent chef, but couldn't afford to pay for the class to get accredited to open a restaurant. Our St. Vincent De Paul Society gave him the money and yesterday Father went to this very tiny restaurant and the man recognized him...he came out and said, "Do you remember me? I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your Church and the Lord are responsible for this humble business." I thought this a very touching story.
ReplyDeleteBalisha
Thank you for this thanks giving post. I will choose to give thanks....I have so much to be thankful for. Kathy (MGCC)
ReplyDeleteI like this... to be thankful for what we can give... so often we think to be thankful for what we have received.. we may think it will bring about pride if we thank for what we can give... but in reality.. it is a grateful heart that remembers to be thankful for being able to give. And even when one had nothing to give ...a smile is always worth something ...
ReplyDeleteThank you, Julie, for turning our thoughts in this direction this morning.
Beautiful post. It can sometimes be easy to forget why we are thankful. Your words and photos are lovely.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving!
Kim
I have been enjoying your blog for awhile. The recipes are what I like and I would like to say thank-you. I am very Thankful.
ReplyDeleteI had to think about this for a moment. My lists usually are composed of the intangibles. I am not a very organized religious person but I am very spiritual and rarely take my gifts for granted. But you have given my thoughts another direction today. I am a giving person both emotionally and materialistically. I don't think I ever thought to be grateful for what I give. Thank you. And Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteCarol
thank you for the kind holiday wishes. happy thanksgiving and fall to you :)
ReplyDeleteABSOLUTELY love your blog.
-m
http://clutzycooking.blogspot.com/
Happy Thanksgiving to you too! We have been so blessed and are very thankful for all the He has given us! We are truly rich in all the important the important things in life!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your cookbook!
I like your blog!
What a great perspective and so true! Thank you for this reminder of the Father's love and intention for us.
ReplyDeleteI think you had me in mind didn't you Julie??? Well you stirred my heart just like last time...I love it and thank you for always enabling us to think out of the box...
ReplyDeleteNow, you've guessed this...our table talk discussion will be....
What can we give to others??
We take so much for granted! Thank you for your words reminding us of what rich blessings we have.
ReplyDelete