Good Morning Beloved Ones!
I have this picture of Jana - because she so exemplifies a heart overflowing with thankfulness and joy- as she anticipates her wedding!
Jana and Adam got married 3 days ago. We had a lovely celebration with many close family members and friends. I am bursting with thankfulness and appreciation.
This quiet morning (after a very filled week of celebration and joy) I read several devotional selections on thankfulness from "Jesus Calling" - by Sara Young. She really hit the nail on the head about the value of having a thankful heart. She states that as you let thankfulness rule in your hearts an amazing thing happens! - you can see more and more of the amazing riches that God places in your lives. This happens even when times are difficult. "Thankfulness takes the sting out of adversity..... Thankfulness opens your heart to God's presence and your mind to God's thoughts. You may still be in the same place, with the same set of circumstances, but it is as if a light has been swithced on, enabling you to see from God's perspective. It is this Light of God's Presence that removes the sting from adversity." (Notice the "aura" of light surrounding the bride!)
So first to my beloved children - grow thankful hearts. I really mean this with all my heart - it takes time and effort to be sure that you look at life from a thankful stance. However, with that work comes amazing blessings through good times and tough times. And sweet Jana and Adam, there will be those tough times. Therefore, remind each other often of this "thankfulness" truth. It is another plumb line for your marriages and relationships. It is actually a great plumb line for life.
To my beloved readers - the heartfelt thought is the same - When our hearts and minds are focusing on thankfulness - then there is just not time for growing a complaining heart. The two just do not mix.
I am asking you all for a "favor"- I am allowing all my friends and family to hold me accountable to this stance as well. Life has a way of pushing us to that "complaining stance." Do not allow me to do that :)
I give you permission to remind me if and when I go to that complaining - worrying place.
As always - many blessings to all!
I am genuinely thankful for you!
Truly and with love,
Kathy
Couldn't agree with you more, Kathy!!!! Every day, especially while driving to and from work, I have a lot of time for reflection. My prayers always begin with thanking the Lord above for all the MANY blessings that I have in my life.....past and present. I even thank Him for any future blessings that HE may bestow upon me and my family. I am amazed at how many blessings I have in my life that, at times, I feel very overwhelmed by them all. In a very short time, you certainly have received a multitude of blessings as well and the joy of them all shines so brightly on your face! You have certainly been deserving and may the Lord continue to shower blessings upon you and your family!
ReplyDeleteThankfulness absolutely takes the sting out of adversity. What a great statement! Jana was a beautiful bride and you a lovely mother of the bride .... the joy you all had for the day was in every word and photo I had the opportunity to see. The blessing of being married near Thanksgiving is a wonderful reminder of the thankfulness we need to carry in our hearts and in our marriages. As always thanks for sharing your thoughts and wisdom.
ReplyDelete