by Cathy Baker | Ideas, Photography/Blogging |
We’re often encouraged to jot down in a journal the little things in life that we’re grateful for…and for good reason. Shifting our days into a lower gear allows us to notice the seemingly trivial details of life, giving us an opportunity to notice their value, and being grateful for them.
Taking photos is an excellent way to slow down and to focus on the details.
Recently I came across a Gratitude Photo Scavenger Hunt by Sarah Dawn Designs. (The only links I could find to her Web site were broken but I want to give her full credit for coming up with this creative and timely idea!)
Below is the “Something I’m Grateful For…” scavenger hunt list. Some photo ops include: Take a pic of something you’re grateful for in nature, in the city, in the workplace, etc. My favorite lands on November 30th: Take a photo of how you intend to spread the spirit of thankfulness.
This exercise in gratitude is not only fun and beneficial for us adults, but also for our children and grandchildren!
{double click to enlarge, save image to print}
Having trouble saving/printing this image? Go to
this Pinterest site {Sarah Dawn Designs, 2011} to download.
If you’re a novice photographer, such as myself, you too will love
Mary Denman’s site. She gives practical advice on taking the best pictures possible (even with our phones!)
So, which of these 30 ideas are you most looking forward to photographing in November?
by Cathy Baker | Ideas, Seasonal |
The spirit of gratefulness permeates the month of November like none other, and for good reason. Thanksgiving, filled community food pantries, families gathered, memories made, etc.
In celebration, every Monday and Wednesday during November, I’ll share specific and creative ways we can shift gratitude from a feeling to an action.
Today’s project will give us plenty of time to gather all our gratefulness into a glass jar before Thanksgiving. I touched on the subject back in 2013 and felt it was time to bring it up again because I know the impact it made on those who received my gratitude in a jar.
{Start A “Why I’m Grateful For You” Jar Today}
- Small Mason jar or any pint-sized jar (based on how many pieces of paper you use)
- Paper and Pen
- Ribbon, markers, or peel-off lettering to decorate jar
Cut paper into small tag-size pieces. On each piece of paper, write out one specific reason why you are grateful for that person. The more specific, the better.
It can be something small or seemingly insignificant. Share a memory or a specific way that person makes you feel. You can use a random number of tags to be opened at any time, or…
I made one of these jars for each of my grandmothers a few years before their passing. I gave it to them at Thanksgiving, filled with 31 tags, asking them to read one tag every day in December. They both shared how much it meant to them to read the specific ways they’d blessed my life. I didn’t want there to be any question in their minds as to how much they meant to me, how much I loved them.
Gratitude in action is a beautiful thing.
How can you put your gratitude in action through a “Grateful for You” jar this Thanksgiving?
Congratulations to Heather, the random winner of the tea mug filled with tea, and especially prayers. I just need your address! 🙂
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
The following was originally posted October 2012. With Halloween falling on the same day as our closing of the #write31days challenge, it seemed only fitting.
Thank you for joining me on this October journey, and especially tonight in prayer.
On this Halloween night, pray.
Seven years ago, I received a call from a woman in a class I was teaching at the time. She asked if she could stop by and talk for awhile. I didn’t know her, but the heaviness in her spirit was obvious.
We sat face to face, her tears falling hard, and words barely pouring forth for the heaving. Finally, she was able to share that as a young child, her
parents forced her to participate in Satanic rituals every Halloween
night. Babies and children were sacrificed in deep basements—here, in
our city.
The more
details she shared, the sicker I felt. An unspeakable oppression
hovered. We moved to our front porch. I had to catch clean air and fresh mercy.
We talked, prayed, and then she drove away.
Although
we’ve since lost touch, she wrote me several years ago sharing how
she’d become active in her church, praising God for removing her night
terrors, and replacing them with the reality of freedom, grace, and
mercy. Only God, only God.
Needless
to say, I will never view Halloween the same. I hope I’m not alone now that you’ve read this true story. You see, she was convinced that human sacrifices still take place every October
31st. We know the enemy’s forces have not diminished — so
now, I pray for the innocent on this night, and I ask you to join me.
“Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.”
1 John 4
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
Yes, there are Hallmark movies—some even containing the word Autumn—but there is only one timeless show that personifies this season and it comes on TONIGHT, ABC at 8:00 p.m.
Pop the corn, break out your family’s favorite beverages, and maybe a little candy corn on the side?
Turn out the lights and gather the family under a warm blanket. Enjoy!
This is no trick. This is a classic treat.
What’s your favorite scene in the show?
{Don’t miss the new Peanuts Movie (rated G) coming to a screen near you in November!}
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
Okay, I agree. Hot tea is a pleasure Spring, Summer, Winter or Fall — but there’s something about this season that sends me in search of new harvesty-laden flavors at the first whisper of Fall.
How about you?
Lucky for me, we have a quaint, but well-stocked tea shoppe a few blocks from the house, so I decided to swing by and pick up some of their latest finds…to share with you. 🙂
And then I also came across this…
Psalm 32:11 lovingly lines the inner rim of the cup.
“Be glad in the Lord and rejoice.” Psalm 32:11
On the outside of the mug:
“Simple, pleasant moments, joy the whole day through, rich abundant graces…
this is my prayer for you.”
Few things stir the heart towards this season like holding a steamy cup of tea, coffee, or cocoa. Savor these moments, allowing the Holy Spirit to stir His purposes and desires within you.
With this in mind, how can I pray for you today? After all, tea and mugs, while beautiful, are temporal. I’d like this post to be more than just giving away goodies. I care about you, your family, and God’s plans for your life. Praying for you is a true privilege. Truly.
Simply share your request(s) in the comment section. Unspoken requests are welcome. 🙂 Your name will go to a random drawing list but your requests will go in my prayer notebook.
Blessings!
