Thankful.....an attitude of life.

As we enter this time of year I think it's important to think about how much we're thankful for.

Many of us aware of our blessings at this time of year. But this year I've been reminding myself that gratitude should be a daily  attitude, not just something that's a once a year occurrence. "In everything give thanks" scripture tells us. But do I or most people really do this? No, we get frustrated with work, our families and church. Most of this anger, frustration, and discouragement comes from a lack of a thankful heart. We don't see Gods mighty hand working in the mundane. We miss that even bad days are working good in those who love God. And we allow a complaining, ungrateful and overwhelmed attitude to prevail, shutting Gods blessing out.

Next time you or I have a rough time look deeply. Are you thankful? Have you been displaying gratitude to God and those around? I've found most of my rough days are not a result of issues in my world, it has everything to do with my attitude and approach to them. I can respond in a grateful way or  I can fight, cry and moan about what just happens. If I asked those around us if we were grateful people what would they say? I'm guessing I would not be nearly as grateful as I want, and honestly I'm probably more critical than I ever would want to admit.
How will you exhibit and attitude of gratefulness this year long?

Loving = Food

So my husband told me years ago that I love people through food. As usual he was right. But I had never thought if it that way. Few things in the world touch us so deeply. Certain food smells bring back dear memories. Food nourishes. It sustains. It brings comfort. I guess that is why every Saturday you will find me cooking away....preparing food for our care groups. Today it is cookies and pigs n blankets.
A little bit of love for those in my church.

Looking Back

One of the best ways to be able to face the future is to look back. When I think back 3 years, 6 years, 10 years each of those times had serious trials in store for me. 

9 years ago we were newlyweds sitting in our first apartment out of cash and out of hope. After 9-11 the economy had collapsed and my sweet hubby had lost a job 5 times. We didn't have enough money to buy grocerys and both of our dads were out of work as well. So we gave blood, actually we gave plasma, they gave the blood back (how generous) I think we each made $28. And I cried. I didn't realize how hard it was to make ends meet. The last thing we wanted was to have to move back in with our parents. David was able to start his own company and I was able to get a good job and we survived. Major trial #1 survived.

7 years ago I got pregnant for the first time. I found out I was pregnant because I couldn't stop vomiting all the time. And I really mean all the time. Within the first few weeks I had lost 18 pounds and was deathly ill. We were in the middle of a crisis at the church we worked at and my husbands job was in jeopardy. I was sick and scared. My midwife told me it was in my head. I wish it had been. But it wasn't. After vomiting for 9 months straight and ending up skinnier than I was before pregnancy I gave birth to a healthy baby boy. What a gift. We weren't sure if I was going to survive. We had no family around, no money for the medical bills, and I could barely walk. But we survived. God sustained. We rejoiced. And yes we did it again 3 more times.

Last year, was the toughest yet. It was not a financial crisis, it was not a physical crisis, it was a spiritual war. Accusations were made, battle lines were drawn, votes were taken. I held crying teens who were worried we would have to leave our church. I whispered quietly with my husband about our future so my kids would not be concerned. I battled with anger over people's sinful attitudes and words toward my precious husband. I watched a church split and splinter as years of anger, bitterness and sinful behaviors came bubbling to the surface. I really didn't know if I could do it. Walking into church on Sunday was one of the hardest things I have ever faced. The place that had always been a refuge and growing place for me was now the place of my greatest testing.Then the miracles began. People prayed for us. They called. God gave grace and a miracle started to happen. I felt the bitterness and anger melt away. Compassion and sadness came instead. God granted me patience in the face of false accusations. He taught me that he would be my defense.  Over the past 8 months I have watched as God has restored unity and sense of purpose to our tiny band. We are small but we are strong. We are not afraid to stand for truth. We will defend God's word if it means we have to risk it all. Our job. Our home. Our lives. 

I look back and I am so grateful. I made it. I can look back on my trials with joy and see what great thing God has done. Its a wonderful feeling. Its a beautiful picture of how big my God is. We are still paying off medical bills and debt from those first few hard years. We are still working very hard at a very small church with few hands to carry a large load. But I am confident in this, my God is able. He is strong and He is faithful.

Meek and Quiet

I don't know about you but when I read those verses as a young woman about having a meek and quiet spirit, it didn't sound like much fun. I could picture in my mind one of those old puritan paintings with the gray haired woman, hair in a tight bun, with the smile distinctly absent from her face.

1 Peter 3
1In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives,
2as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.
3Your adornment must not be merely external--braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses;
4but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.
5For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands;

I by nature am a passionate, excitable person. Sometimes that is good, and sometimes it is not. I have been know to be loud, excitable and sometimes even boisterous. Over the years I've learned self control in these area and am able to be appropriate, but I still struggled with the concept of being "meek and quiet" or "gentle and quiet" as this version states.

Sometime in the past few years I came to a more clear understanding about what this actually means.

Gentle and quiet of spirit is the condition of the heart as it matures in the Lord. It is less about personality and more about trusting fully in the Lord for everything. It is about not being aggravated by situations and people. Responding gently when in crisis.

Let me give you an example:

If my husbands job is at risk because of the economy and I know that layoffs are eminent I can respond one of two ways. I can fret and worry, talk the issue to death, wonder about all the "what if's" and constantly watch the bills and the finances.

(or)

I can stop and pray that the Lord will meet our needs and provide for my family. Then I can go on through my day resting and trusting in the Lord to do what he has promised to do for those that follow him.

That is a meek and quiet spirit. It is a heart that rests on the Lord, come what may. It is a heart that isn't easily irritated with situations and people. It is a heart that sees that God has a plan greater than my own. I can keep my happy, joyful, outgoing personality and know that with self control I will be fine. I can still be bubbly and excitable. It is a heart condition of trust in God and a desire to reflect my trust in Him through every moment.

Trials

We face trials. All of us. Some of them are health related, or job related. Lots of them tend to be relational. It's so amazing to see God's sustaining grace through these trials of life. They will come. They will either push you to the word of God or away.

Which way do you run? I'm learning. For years, I would run to my mother, my friends and later my husband. They were wise and kind toward me. But I needed to run to the Savior. Again and again, he has reminded me to seek him first. Be in his word. I'm learning. Its so sufficient, God's word that is. I'm always amazed at how the things I know so well have such a fresh impact on my attitudes and actions.

Isaiah 26:3 tells us "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee." Yes, is the old flowery English, but its so beautiful. You want peace? Set your face toward God. Remember HE is absolutely in control. He is working. He is molding. He is faithful. Trust Him. With it all. You will never be disappointed.

What trials are you facing? Who have you talked to? Seek God first. It is so worth it. He is the only one with absolute wisdom and love.

Trust God, fix your eyes on him and bask in the peace that follows.