Feeling grattitude

I will be honest there are times that I am soooo buffered by my own reality (a warm home in the winter, a cool home in the summer, even if it is dirty it is mine, tv, computer, ipod, friends, family etc....) at times it is so easy to whine over something that in the Big Scheme of life is nothing. I have been trying to have a thankful heart and help my family not have such a case of the gimme' me's that I have been looking outward and praying "God show me where I can help others, remind my pampered self what I have to be soo very thankful for". Boy, has God thrown open the curtains of my house and showed me some stuff that breaks my heart, it stirs me to want to help! Thank you Lord Jesus for being so patient with my foolish, selfish heart!

Thank you Thank you Thank you!!! Has God every broken your heart over a situation, that did not involve you -not one ounce, and your prayer became all about that situation? Did God show you how he could use you to help in that situation?

The Invisible Woman -

This is just to remind every lady out there - that God sees you!! You count!! Is this not a great reminder I hope you enjoy it where ever you are as you are sipping your coffee, or tea this morning! Remember that you matter. Rejoice and give God praise- That is a reason to be thankful!

Keep on keeping on! Do not be discouraged, do not get overwhelmed by the upcoming holiday, or the never ending laundry, or the constant hollering of "mom!, or that nobody notices when you clean the toilet -God loves you!!! Amen!

Where has November gone to?

I look into the stores and all I see is Green and Red. I wonder down the candy aisle (yes, I know my hips wish I would not!) and I see the candy Christmas kisses and candy canes stocked on the the shelves. I watch the evening news and they tell me because of the economy is down, retailers are now stretching the Christmas season to begin the day after Halloween. Well let me tell you (yes, I feel a lot like Jimmy Stewart in "It's a Wonderful Life" when he is telling people that they needed to save the old building and loan.) Well girls we need November and Thanksgiving if for no other reason it allows us to prepare our hearts, our minds, and our homes for the Christmas season!!

The Christmas season is filled with the gimme Me's. Just look at how marketers encourage you to make a "Wish List". Don't believe me take a minute and think about the The Great Big Christmas Book, or Toy land Catalog marketed for our kids to make their "wish list" up or the Lexus commercials geared to us older kids. Marketers have made the Christmas season about "what do I want" to every individual out there. Well Let's start in November remembering what we have been blessed with.

Let's take the next 21 days and prepare our hearts,with an attitude of Thankfulness that helps prepare us for the Christmas season ."In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. "Thessalonians 5:18 Take a look at what you fill your mind, and your time with. Are you starting to be frazzled, looking at the calendar thinking about how the marketers are wanting you to feel about the holidays. Well just stop! This is the beauty of November take a deep breath make a game plan and prepare. Do not let anyone cheat you out of November!!

I always prepare my house for the holidays by first - CLEANING IT OUT!! How do you plan to put anything new into your homes, (AKA your kids bedrooms) without first cleaning out the junk, the things that are broken, things that are no longer used, things that have been out grown. Just making a pile of things to donate or have a garage sale helps make it abundantly clear how really blessed we are!!! I also do not want to struggle with dealing with C.H.A.O.S. (can't have anyone over syndrome -this is from the fly lady) during the holiday season. I want my house to be a warm inviting home, to my friends and family as well as my children's friends. The only way that will be possible is if I take the time to get things cleaned and organized now!!

So don't overlook November - we need November to help us enjoy the Christmas season and share the joy of Christ with others through out December. Remember you can not share what you do not have - so make sure that you will have joy in your heart during December by taking the steps necessary to enjoy December right now!! Prepare your heart and your families heart to make the trip to the manger this Christmas!

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer." Psalm 19:14

(p.s. for those following my blog I am thankful that I have a husband that works on project for me and I will post pictures of the completed projects when he has completed the kitchen, and yes, I will be thankful for that! and no I have not been holding out on you it is just taking longer than we anticipated!)

Thank you!!!

Thank you everyone who has left such sweet encouraging comments on my blog this last month!!!

I just wanted to let you know that each little uplifting thing you have wrote to me has touched my heart and left an impression on it. Thank you!!!!