"Let thankfulness temper all your thoughts. A thankful mind-set keeps you in touch with Me. I hate it when My children grumble, casually despising My sovereignty. Thankfulness is a safeguard against this deadly sin. Furthermore, a grateful attitude becomes a grid through which you perceive life. Gratitude enables you to see the Light of My Presence shining on all your circumstances. Cultivate a thankful heart, for this glorifies Me and fills you with Joy."
1 Corinthians 10:10; Hebrews 12:28-29
See - even God wants us to be thankful! With this being Holy Week, what a perfect subject for my Starfish - and the above came from my daily devotional. So it was just meant to be :)
As most of my readers know, my faith has grown deeper in the past couple years. It has been quite a journey, but with Alpha, teaching Sunday school classes, meeting some wonderful women, feeling welcome in a humongous church, prayer, awesome pastors and of course being able to drink coffee during the sermons has made my journey a bit smoother - and I am proud to report I am at a strong point of faith in my life and hope to continue growing! But I do know I need to thank God more often for all of the blessings he has given me and for the amazing people he has put in my life.
"A grateful attitude becomes a grid through which you perceive life." So if we truly count our blessings and thank God to be where we are and have what we have and shower those around us with gratitude and thankfulness and kindness, it just makes sense that we will see life in a different, more positive light...right? I think so!
So, the challenge this week - Be more aware of the blessings in your life. Thank God, or thank your lucky stars, or thank your parents or your friends or whoever helped you get where you are.
Today's Starfish
Today, I am writing a thank you note to the head pastor at Hope - Pastor Mike. His messages always make me think and he has such a powerful way of protraying God's love for us. I want to show him my appreciation for being welcomed into his church, making me feel comfortable enough to attend alone, and unknowingly helping me during some of the toughest times of my life.
Afterall, church is like... wait for it.... A PARTY! (You know who you are!)
"I
can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks."
William Shakespeare
Who is ready for SPRING?! Who was surprised to wake up this morning to a snow-covered ground? I thought I was done having to scrape snow off my car and shovel the sidewalks and wear my Uggs to keep my feet dry! And on top of the snow we woke to this morning, I heard on the radio that we may get some more on Friday! AHHHHHHH!!!!!!
Mother Nature - Don't you realize that the first day of Spring is in TWO days? Don't you know Selection Sunday was last night and March Madness has arrived? Can't you hear my flip flops screaming from the depths of my closet and the grass roots crying for sunshine!? Don't you see the sandals, tank tops, capris and shorts lining the shelves and clothing racks? Are you ignoring the shrieks from my tastebuds begging for summer cocktails and patio weather????
Mother Nature - DID YOU FORGET ABOUT US?????
It sure feels like it this winter, but before we know it - we will be complaining of the heat and the humidity and wishing for sweatshirt weather and changing leaves. So, enjoy this while (IF) you can, because soon enough we will be wishing for Fall.
Today's Starfish
As most of you probably know - I hate driving. Driving in general but even more hatred for driving in SNOW. I know I know, I need to learn and practice or I'm never going to know how to do it. Now that I have a vehicle that is all wheel drive, I will start driving more in the snow - next year. :)
Since we have had some questionable mornings these past few months with icy roads and wintry conditions, I have had the great PRIVILEGE of having one of my friends drive me to and from work.
Now that winter is *fingers crossed* over, this week's "Thank You" goes to Kim Praska. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for relieving my driving anxiety this winter.
“Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.”
-Brian Tracy
I've been reading a book that tells me to go back and re-read something that maybe I skipped over or something that maybe went over my head. So I am telling you - if you didn't read the above quote, go back and read it. And if you did read it, read it again. And again.
"Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation."
Print this and hang it in your cubicle. Pin it on Pinterest. Make a Facebook status with it. Add it to your journal. Set it as your desktop wallpaper. Remember this quote and visit it often. It is so powerful.
And how true it is! Appreciate everything that happens to you, good and bad, and know that every step you take, no matter what you are facing in life, is a step toward something bigger and better than where you are now.
So give thanks. Thank God that you were able to wake up this morning. Thank Him for having a job you can go to and family and friends who care about you. Thank the person in the Starbucks drive thru for making your coffee just the way you like it. Thank the person who held the door open for you on your way into the work building. Thank whoever made another pot of coffee when the last one ran out. Thank your coworker for doing something they didn't HAVE to do and thank a client for being a client and thank your family and thank your friends for being in your life. See where I am going here?
My challenge to you this week - spend a full day living by the words of today's quote. Thank everyone you can. See how different your day is and pay close attention to the reactions of others. And let me know how it turned out :)
Today's Starfish
Yesterday I went to Best Buy to get a new cell phone since I was ready for an update. Jon, the mobile manager and also a personal friend, made the whole process as easy as possible for me. Luckily, he saw me waiting in line and took me back to a different area so he could a train a new employee on the whole cell phone process. He made the switch very easy and he even was able to change the phone plan to save a little money each month!
I am sending Best Buy C/O Jon a thank you note. I want to share my "attitude of gratitude" and make sure Jon knows how much I appreciate his help!
"A grateful attitude becomes a grid through which you perceive life." So if we truly count our blessings and thank God to be where we are and have what we have and shower those around us with gratitude and thankfulness and kindness, it just makes sense that we will see life in a different, more positive light...right? I think so!
