Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Psalm 107:43
Who so is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord.
Cold autumn wind blows in and strips the trees.
On Monday, a wind blew through our town. It knocked branches down and stripped trees of their brilliant leaves. Just before it hit, the phone rang and warned of the impending severe thunderstorm. No lighting or thunder occurred though just the howling wind and lashing cold rain.
Our central heating kept my home warm as temperatures plunged. On Tuesday, the temperatures inched into the upper 30s, and Wednesday and Thursday mornings the lows were in the teens. All I can think of is the cold. We have lights and water. What of the mismatched family I observed last week? Was the elderly woman able to pay her light bill and do they have heat? Who were the young adults in her life? Where they able to find work somehow and help her? I don’t even know if they were related or how they had all came to be together.
Now, it is Thurday and I reread my writing from Tuesday which I wrote for the Two Shoes Tuesday hop, but my writing stalled. This post has been in the making all week. I really did not know which direction to go until I read Leigh Anne Eck’s post at Holly Mueller’s Spiritual Journey Thursday. The post inspired me to comment:
Everyone’s days are numbered. We are not guaranteed tomorrow, but if we focus on each today and live thankfully, our lives will make a diffrence to all those around us.
Observing Gratitude Daily
I have explored several themes with my writing this month. The praise and worship in the beautifulness of the season; the wisdom of peace reflected in nature; and the importance of focusing on Jesus. Through it all a common thread emerges: gratitude.
Leigh Anne quoted this verse:
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” ~Colossians 3:17
The scriptures I found for this post today make me want to slow down and really observe gratitude. Gratitude that God is with me daily. Gratitude for home and family. Gratitude for community, local and virtual. Gratitude for each breath I take. Gratitude for my illness and disease because it allows me time others don’t have to write. Gratitude for even the medications that bring some relief, enough to function and live. Gratitude to doctors for their care. Gratitude to Jesus for my salvation and His sacrifice.
Gratitude can become a state of being. We observe gratitude through constantly praying in thankfulness to God. When we fill our hearts and minds every minute of the day with gratitude, it reflects in our attitudes towards everything. The little things become trivial. How can car problems, bills, and the daily mundane compare to the gratitude that sings in our hearts for all His wonderful provisions and love.
I am also joining these hops.
–
Beautiful post. It’s so important to have gratitude. Jesus himself taught us gratitude… thankful in all things.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on graitude (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop)!
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
xoxo
Hi, thanks for stopping by. I hope you have had a wonderful Thanksgiving as well.
This wonderful post is being featured on my blog today as part of Tuesdays with a Twist blog hop: http://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/2014/11/im-november-turn-it-up-tuesday-cohost_24.html
Thanks
Angie
Thanks so much Angie for featuring me. I really appreciate your support!
Such a nice reminder…to observe gratitude daily. Thank you for sharing from your heart.
I am so thrilled you enjoyed my post. Thanks for stopping by.
A timely post, Mary, and nicely done.
Daily gratitude really is the key!! Wishing you a gratitude filled week!
I liked your story very much, Mary. I am glad you are observant of the Lord’s loving doings, both towards His world and to us.
We are sooo happy this weekend for answered prayer, our son-in-law has a nice job starting in December. It has been a long time, we have prayed a lot and so has he and his family.
We will be having your storm, coming in this evening from California. It will be cool, rainy, possible hail and tornados and strong straight line winds. But then it will warm back up for Sunday, 80 for a high temp.
Coming in from California reminded me of one of my favorite songs sung by Judy Collins, “Some day soon.”
My parents can not stand him
Cause he rides the rodeo
My father says that
He will leave me crying
I would follow him right down
The toughest road I know
Someday soon, going with him
Someday soon
And when he comes to call
My pa ain’t got a good word to say
Guess it’s cause he’s just
As wild in the younger days
So blow, you old Blue Northern
Blow my love to me
He’s driving in tonight
From California
..
Hope you didn’t mind the song, Mary. There is more but you can Google by the song name and ‘Judy Collins’ to get the rest.
..
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. I love it. 😉
A beautiful post, Mary! I love the concept of “observing gratitude”, because we have to be consciously aware of all the amazing ways God provides for us and showers us with His love! To live a life of gratitude is to feel love and contentment with whatever life brings, because we know we are in His hands! Thank you for a wonderful reminder!
Josie, thanks so much for you kinds words and support. I am working on a special post for the New Year. I can’t wait to post it. It is going to be special. I will be in touch with more details. 🙂
Gratitude is much needed.
Powerful message in your post. I agree, Mary.
A thankful heart opens your life to many wonderful blessings.
It is good to voice our thanks to our Lord, “Thank you Jesus,” often comes from my lips. November is the season to remember to be grateful for what we do have and quit complaining about what we think we need or don’t have. An attitude of Gratitude pleases God. Thanks for sharing with us here at ‘Tell Me a Story.’
“Gratitude can become a state of being.” That is the goal, isn’t it?! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on gratitude!!