Happy Thanks Giving!
I thank my God every time I remember you. Philippians 1:3
On this day of Thanksgiving, know that I thank God for you, our friendship, and the time you spend with me here.
Happy Thanksgiving!
The Gift of Subtraction
It’s not too late! Subtract ONE event or routine from the holiday calendar.
Is there an event or something you do every Christmas that you do for all the wrong reasons?
Today, allow intentionality to move forward and take its place in your schedule. Pray over the calendar asking God to release you from guilt or any other misplaced emotion and to make clear those places He would have you to be this December.
It may be in a place you least expect.
The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. Proverbs 13:4
Christmas Hospitality: Perfect is a Lie
If you Google “hospitality” Alberta Scott, my grandmother, is sure to pop up in the top five. MaMa sang in the church choir, taught Sunday School, baked a pound cake nearly every week for shut-ins, was a founding member of the Garden Club, i.e. lots of parties, and welcomed anyone who showed up on her doorstep. Not to mention how she loved on me and the entire family throughout her life.
I wish I could say I’m a mirror image of her, but I’m not. I’ve always struggled with drop-in company and the like. I know the importance of hospitality, but somewhere between my mind and the doorknob, truth can get diluted.
Enter a gift from the Lord, The Complete Guide to Imperfect Homemaking and specifically, Kelly’s recent series, 31 Days of Simple Hospitality, which immediately sparked the idea of my own 31 Day series! (Check out Kelly’s new blog !)
My favorite excerpt, Day 2: Perfect is a lie.
“Perfect is a lie. It is unattainable. And when we are talking about
things like the perfect house or the perfect family or the perfect meal,
it is so subjective that it doesn’t mean anything at all.
Perfect is a big fat lie.
We all have messes in our home and life and heart. Big, broken, somedays-almost-conquered-but-not-quite, beautiful messes. And we hide them away and miss out on the fellowship our soul craves.
The time will never be right. Your house will never be as clean as it
could be. Your to-do list isn’t going anywhere. Friend, please don’t
rob yourself of community waiting for something that doesn’t exist.”
So today, let’s consider how we can extend our beautiful messes to others during the holiday season.
For me, I’m currently planning to enjoy a cup of tea in my mess with a friend who works hard and spends many evenings alone. Next year, I hope to reestablish my annual Christmas Tea.
I’d love to hear how you hope to share your beautiful mess during this season!
Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:9
10 Ways to Build Gratitude Into Our Children’s Hearts
Family Life has been a blessing via radio for years. Imagine my delight when I saw 10 Ways to Build Gratitude Into Our Children’s Hearts by Darcy Kimmel posted on their Web site.
What I appreciate most about Darcy’s post? Not only is her insight spot-on, the ten ways are also pithy, practical and downright powerful.
One of the greatest gifts we can sow into the hearts of our children and grandchildren is gratitude and this article is a great place to start.
After reading the ten ways, #3 particularly spoke to me: Stop your grumbling. In recent weeks God has aimed a megawatt spotlight on my tendency to grumble. A little here, a little there. Sigh. I didn’t recognize it as such but nonetheless I finally called it by name. Grumbling. The opposite of praise.
Because I want to build gratitude into my life, and in that of my family, I plan to spend time today reading through and praying over Darcy’s list again.
Care to join me? I’d love to hear if there was a particular way that spoke to you.
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
5 Meaningful Things to Do In Preparation for Thanksgiving
Searching for ways to make Thanksgiving a little more meaningful?
1. Read the history of Thanksgiving. Here’s an option from The Christian Coalition.
2. Make a Thanksgiving Tree. This will be a must when the grandchildren get a wee bit older. One quick trip to Pinterest and we’ll have a plethora of ideas to choose from.
3. Include others in your celebration. Do you have a lonely neighbor, a recent widow, or a college student you could invite?
4. Put everyone’s name in a hat and share one reason you’re thankful for the person’s name that’s drawn.
5. Read One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. I remember reading this for the first time and being mesmerized by her lyrical form.
Enjoy!
Everything God created is good, and to be received with thanks. Nothing
is to be sneered at and thrown out. God’s Word and our prayers make
every item in creation holy. 1 Timothy 4:4-5
is to be sneered at and thrown out. God’s Word and our prayers make
every item in creation holy. 1 Timothy 4:4-5
Cathy Baker
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