More Thanksgiving Lists

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

Another Thanksgiving has arrived which encourages us to remember what God has done for us. For many, the past year brought pain and suffering. But even in our hard times, we can find much in which to be thankful. 

            I challenge you again to join me in writing an alphabet of blessings. I could make a list of people but decided to not add names this time. 

            For my initial list, I wrote the first thing that came to mind which is why some seem rather strange. For the second list, I thought longer and added multiple words for each letter. 

A-apples,  B-bike,  C-chocolate,  D-daisies,  E-eggs,  F-fruit,  G-garage,  H-home,  I-ice,  

J-jacket,  K-kitchen,  L-laundry, M-money,  N-night,  O-orange,  P-peas  Q-quiet,  R-rest, 

S-steam,  T-turkey,  U-underwear,  V-violin,  W-washing machine  X-x-ray,  Y-yellow,  Z-zoo

More thoughtful list. 

A-ambulances, airplanes, B-Bible, birds, butterflies, books, C-church, cars, chairs,  

D-doctors, dentists,  E-envelopes, earrings,  F-flowers, fish,  G-grandparents, glasses, gasoline

H-heaven, hope,  I-ice cream, I-pad,  J-joy, jobs  K-kindergartens, keyboard, L-learning, 

M-medications, music, maps  N-nurses, neighbors,  O-oceans, octogenarians, (some of my friends and me before long),  P-pastors, peace, pens  Q-quiet, quilts,  R-radios, rain, roads,  

S-ships, schools,  T-trees, tea,  U-United States, umbrellas, V-Vee Gees (the singing group I am part of), vacations, W-water, weddings,  X-x-ray, xylophone,  Y-yarn, youth, Z- zinc, Zoom

            As I wrote down the words, thankfulness overflowed. I realized I can never list all of the things God has done for me. Make your own lists and share with me. 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving in whatever way you celebrate this year.  

Loving Father, thank you for all that You have done for us. Help us to appreciate what we have and how you are molding us to be more like You.

Amen

A Birthday Gift

My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.

Psalm 71:8 (NIV)

As darkness faded away, an explosion of red lit up the sky. Vibrant scarlet painted the background of the forest and even the lake. 

            I hurried outside with my phone to capture the magnificent spectacle. However, the camera couldn’t fully express the breathtaking phenomenon before me. 

            From my patio chair, I stared at the transformation of the sky as it moved like the turning of a dial. Red became bright orange across the lake while the rest of the sky evolved to pink. In a very short time, pale orange replaced brightness and then a huge yellow ball peeked through the trees. The pink faded to reveal blue sky with a border of gray clouds. 

            Within a few minutes, I experienced a kaleidoscope of design and color as God presented me with an extraordinary birthday present. 

            While I marveled at the gift, a curtain of clouds closed to end the production. Although I longed for a longer display, I was thankful for what I received. 

            Memories filled my mind. Over the years, I have experienced happy periods but also seasons of heartache and grief. God has been with me comforting and guiding.  

            In the last several years, each birthday has brought more and more family members and friends departing this earth. 

My time here grows shorter too so I want to make the most of each day. Age makes me look at life a little differently. People are more important than things. Helping others know Jesus is crucial. Take time each day to be with Jesus. Overlook insignificant problems. Lend a hand to those who need encouragement. Comfort those who are grieving. Enjoy the beauty around me. 

My latest birthday gift from God reminded me of His presence, love and compassion. The stupendous sunrise was a tiny glimpse of heaven.

Loving Father, thank you for being with us and giving us special gifts. Help us each day notice Your presence in creation and in those around me.

Amen

Scary Steps

In his heart, a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.

Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)

Because of the intense summer heat, I parked far from the store’s entrance in a patch of shade. 

            With a shopping cart of purchases, I left the store and began the long trek to my car. In a flurry of activity, shoppers entered the store and moved about the parking lot to and from their cars. But as I pushed my shopping cart farther and farther toward the back of the gigantic lot, I was alone. 

            Step by step took me away from the bustle of other shoppers. Then I heard footsteps behind me. When I sped up, they did too. As I slowed, they slowed. I was afraid to look behind me and confront the possible attacker.  

            No matter what I did, the feet behind me mirrored my cadence. Finally, I stopped completely. Total silence. Surely, no one would harm a grandmother in broad daylight. 

            No one could hear me or maybe even see what was going on at such a distance.  Were there cameras? 

            Determined to act normally, I opened my trunk and began putting groceries in my car. Still no sound from the potential assaulter. 

            My eyes fell to my shoes. Laughter replaced fear. Only then did I notice the backless, rarely worn sandals. The flopping of the shoes produced puzzling sounds so my mind formed a frightening story which seemed real. Instead of discovering a scary intruder, I found that I had caused my own fears. In my laughter, a lesson was learned.

How many times do we create unnecessary worries and anxiety instead of taking our concerns to Jesus?  

Loving Father, when I am frightened and anxious, help me trust you as you guide my steps.

Amen