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Thankful

11/18/2021

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Thankful. Thank-full. Full of Thanks.

I forget sometimes to be thankful. It’s easy to get caught up in looking at what I don’t have and forget to intentionally see what I do have. God sends reminders my way at times. Like when I see pictures of families in the Compassion International Magazine living in homes that aren’t as nice as my lawn mower shed. Or a picture of a mom with four children rummaging through the garbage dump looking for anything she can sell to feed her family. True stories of real people. 

Then I see my blessings more clearly, and how I often throw away things other people look for in the trash. I take for granted the clean water I pour from the tap, forgetting others carry heavy jugs for miles to bring water home to their families. The very smallest of my things are big things to them. 

We can be overwhelmed seeing the world’s needs, up close or far away. It’s more than we can fix. But we can do something, even if it seems small. It’s in remembering what we have that brings about the desire to share it with others. When we forget, when I forget, my focus is clouded by my own reflection as I see myself looking back in the mirror of self-centeredness. It’s when I look out, past myself, that I not only see the needs of others, but I see the blessings in my own life- I see abundance.

This past Sunday a group of people got together to pack shoeboxes with Christmas gifts for children in poverty. Many of the things packed were things we all have in our bathroom drawers or medicine cabinets- tooth brushes, combs, soap, washcloths. Pencil bags were also packed, filled with various school supplies. Things we and our own children often take for granted. If enough room was left in the boxes, they added a small toy, stuffed animal, or ball. Such simple gifts, yet treasured beyond what we can imagine, when received by a child who has nothing.

As Thanksgiving approaches, my mind is drawn to what it means to truly be thankful. Do I see my blessings? I want to be full of thanks. Thank-full. When we are full of thanks, it overflows to others. Maybe we can’t fix the world’s problem of poverty, but we can do something, even if it’s small, or fits in a shoebox.

What blessings do you see when you look at your life? Enough to be thank-full?
Let’s overflow with thanks, into a world in need- in Jesus’ name.

Thankful for you,
Charlotte

Heavenly Father, 
Thank you for the many blessings you pour out in our lives from your riches in glory, in Christ Jesus. Help us see, acknowledge, and share- with a thank-full heart. Amen.


“In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
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A Story, a scripture and a quote

11/4/2021

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​In this Thanksgiving month the 3 on Thursday team is fittingly writing about gratitude… 

A Story…
I recently started doing The Examen – a prayer by St. Ignatius Loyola.  It is a discipline to help me to recount my day, to give things over to God, and to pray for people and situations that I have encountered.  It is amazing how often I look back on my day and see so many little gifts that Father God has left for me…a kind word, an important conversation, courage to face something challenging, or a bright yellow tree set against a clear blue sky.  After the Examen review questions, there is a final question, that goes like this…” In light of my review, what is my response to the God of my life?”  Almost, without fail, it is a “thank you, Father!”

A Scripture of Praise…
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” – 1 Peter 2:9
​
A Quote…
One of my favorite first ladies was Eleanor Roosevelt.  Illinois governor, Adlai Stevenson, had this to say about her in his memorial address to the United National General Assembly on November 9th, 1962, the day after her passing:
“Yesterday, I said that I had lost more than a friend -- I had lost an inspiration: for she would rather light candles than curse the darkness and her glow had warmed the world.”
She would rather light candles than curse the darkness…  I imagine that she found the secret of gratitude. So, in this month of giving thanks, I pray that we would join with our brothers and sisters in Christ, declaring the praises of Him who called us out of darkness and find the little treasures every day that Our Heavenly Father leaves for us…who knows, maybe in doing so, we’ll shape history too! 😊
Challenge:  Pray.  Four time this week with someone else and every day for someone and then tell them about it! 

With Much Love & Gratitude,
Christina

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    freedom writings

    So glad you are here to connect with Cold Springs women as we encourage each other!

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