It’s something about the month of November that moves our hearts and minds to the thought of thanksgiving. However, Thanksgiving is not relegated to one specific time of the year rather thanks is an essential part of our day-to-day living. I Thessalonians 5:18 admonishes us to Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will] (AMP). With all of our material wealth (yes even the poorer among us is quite wealthy when compared to others around the world) and that ravishing desire for more, it is often what is missing that attempts to dominate our thoughts.
I love Ann Voskamp’s 1000 gifts of thanks movement of inviting others to see the ordinary gifts in our lives. All across the blogosphere, bloggers from different walks of life take part in a weekly meme that keeps their eyes glued on the goodness all around us. This November Shannon King of I Survived and Now I Run is also inviting bloggers to take part in counting your many blessings. You can either share what you’re thankful in your FB status or via your personal blog on a daily or weekly basis. See Count Your Many Blessings Facebook Book page for more details or via her blog.
Today as I reflect on the goodness of the Father, I am thankful for His faithfulness. 2 Timothy 2:13 stirs afresh in my heart and mind today.
if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself (NIV)
If we believe not, yet he stays faithful: he cannot deny himself. (AKJV)
If we are faithless [do not believe and are untrue to Him], He remains true (faithful to His Word and His righteous character), for He cannot deny Himself. (Amplified)
The character of who is changes not based upon the thoughts, actions, words or deeds of humanity.
Have you read Ann’s book One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are? I haven’t yet but I think I’m going to make it my January 2013 book to start my year. I want to work more on cultivating a heart of thanks living.
Reflection Questions
Does November bring more awareness of being thankful for you?
Are you hurrying through life so much or overwhelmed by unanswered requests that you fail to take notice and be grateful for small things?
Our Challenge Today
Keep your eyes peeled wide open for things you often overlook that you can be grateful.
Until next time…
What Others Are Sharing About Thanksgiving
- Giving Him Thanks (titus2atthewell.com)
- Thanksgiving in the Word: In Everything Give Thanks (donotdepart.com)
- Thanksgiving and Remembering by Mark D. Roberts (trinityspeaks.wordpress.com)
- Starting Thanksgiving Early: Nonstop Gratitude Starting Thanksgiving Early: Nonstop Gratitude (trinityspeaks.wordpress.com)
Wanda, I love these verses…We do have much to be thankful for..even when we are going thru difficulties…He is to be praised…Thanks for sharing my blog…your a doll! Blessings and hugs!
You’re welcome Shannon. I try to be supporter of other bloggers when I can.
Does November bring more awareness of being thankful for you?
You know, Wanda, I think November does bring to my mind the whole idea of thanksgiving. Honestly, gratitude is an attitude that I really need to cultivate more in my life. I all too easily fall into the habit of negativity – I’m quite a grumbler at times. 🙁
Are you hurrying through life so much or overwhelmed by unanswered requests that you fail to take notice and be grateful for small things?
This comes and goes with me. I am trying to concentrate more on the small things in life. One thing that I love about my new home in the mountains is the ability to look outside and see the wonders of God’s creation – the BIG things, like the granite mountain outside my living room window…and the SMALL things, like the adorable chipmunks at play.
God is good – I need to remind myself of that more, and thank Him for all the ways He loves me and takes care of me…all the time.
GOD BLESS!
Hi Sharon, you and I are alike in many ways my friend. Gratitude is definitely something I need to be more conscious of incorporating into my day.
I read Ann’s book and have been counting the 1000 gifts on my blog. Making thanksgiving a lifestyle has altered how I view the world. There is always something to be thankful for…I wholeheartedly believe that now!
I can see how it would truly be informative to live more fully with awareness of gratitude.
Happy Sunday Wanda, and everyone…I truly enjoyed this message…I love the picture too..It is so soothing to set here and relax just looking at it…Yes I am thankful for so much Jesus has done and still doing with me, and though. And what He is doing in other people lives as well, as I have been seeing the changes in thier lives, that only He can do. So I am so thankful that He has allowed me to be living to see them. When I tell Him how thankful I am, I am telling Him that I am Grateful that He is Who He Is. I have learn to thank Him even when I am going through life sitation here on planet earth. I learn to say Thank you for the good and the not so good…Thank you for sharing this with us…God bless you. Agape! 🙂
Thank you Ms Betty. I took that photo last year during the fall season. I just love the colors of fall. Gratitude is wonderful thing to cultivate in our lives. Hope you’ve enjoyed your weekend.