Remembering to Be Thankful
Isn’t it so much easier to focus on what’s not going right and all the difficult times in life, rather than remembering to be thankful for all of our blessings? At least that’s true in my life. I seem to default to thinking of the negatives rather than the positives.
So, sometimes it’s helpful to come up with ideas and projects that remind me to be thankful. One idea I utilized this year was this table centerpiece. I saw this on another blog, and I loved the idea and decided to make one for myself.
I already had the candle tray and the candles, and I found the rocks for $1 at the dollar store. I made “stones of remembrance” with special blessings, miracles, and answers to prayer that we’ve experienced. Things like:
- My Testimony: The story of how I was lost and full of despair as a 16-year-old girl, trying to escape through drugs, alcohol, and partying. But my faithful mother prayed fervently for me, and a man she had never met before walked up to her at church and said, “God told me to tell you that your prayer has been answered.” And she knew it was her prayers for me that he was referring to. Shortly after that I became a Christian!
- Our Van: The transmission went out on our van, and we had no money to pay for a new one. So my husband’s parents bought us one! Completely paid for! And it’s been serving us well for about 8 years now.
- The time some very kind friends anonymously sent us $7,000 in the mail (in CASH!), during a very lean season.
- The $100 bill that someone from church slipped under the blanket in our first baby’s car seat (over 14 years ago). I found it a couple days later, and we never knew who gave it to us, but we needed the money right then, and God used their generosity to help and encourage us.
- The $2,000 my husband’s brother sent us as a “housewarming gift” when we moved into our new-to-us house three years ago. A very needed and much-appreciated gift!
- The $200 someone from church anonymously left in our van one Sunday morning a year or two ago when we were going through a really hard time financially. Sweet friends!
- Our love story, and how God miraculously brought my husband and me together.
- My husband. He’s a true gift and blessing.
- Each of our five children. Five beautiful blessings.
- The time we were considering giving up on tithing (because we didn’t seem to have the money to do it), and asking God to reveal His will in this, and we got an anonymous letter in the mail (along with some money) that said on the back of the envelope in bold letters, “KEEP ON TITHING, GOD IS GOOD TO THE RIGHTEOUS.”
- The time some other dear friends sent us hundreds of dollars to help pay some medical bills (last year). That’s true love. ♥
- The time my husband and I were praying about what it really means to walk in the Spirit, and a man called us out of nowhere and said his heart was to help Christians learn to walk by the Spirit.
- The precious gift a friend sent me after I gave birth to my 4th baby and was feeling a bit discouraged. The box was full of hand-sewn dresses for my girls, toys for my toddler son, and so much love. I’ll always be grateful to her for showing love to me in that tangible way.
Friends, God still hears and answers prayer. He still moves mountains and does miracles today. We only need to pray and ask…to expect Him to answer (according to His will), and then remember to thank Him for all that He has done and will continue to do.
Life is so much more beautiful when we’re thankful. And so ugly when we’re ungrateful or grumbling. I saw this clearly a few days ago. It was a wonderful day, and I should have been happy and thankful, but instead I was focused on some physical problems I was dealing with…and I almost missed the sweet blessings the Lord had planned for me. Being thankful didn’t take away the pain or discomfort, but it made life sweeter for me and my family.
Recently, I made some simple cards for each member of my family, listing things about them that I’m thankful for. I know that I often don’t remember to express gratitude to them for just being who they are! Sometimes a project like this can remind me (and them) of how precious and loved they truly are.
I’m thankful for this chick feeder/candy dispenser I won at a family reunion. This was on the drive home, and when I got it the whole thing was full. We somehow ate half of it in a very short time…one reason I don’t buy candy! I’m going to fill it with healthy snacks and treats (although I LOVE candy corn!).
I’m also full of thankfulness for my sweet husband, who planned a fun weekend away for just the two of us. We had such a lovely and refreshing time!
What are you thankful for today?
This is beautiful! Happy Thanksgiving!
Christina
This was so encouraging to me. I only wish that I'd read it earlier in the day so that I could find some stones. I'm going to do it for the Advent season instead. Did you use a paint pen or a permanent marker?
It's been a difficult month. My dear friend died and my mother-in-love died, both suddenly and unexpectedly. I need to focus on the positive so that my family can have the best Christmas season possible.
Thank you for helping me see this.
Laura
Harvest Lane Cottage
What a great idea to write down on 'remembrance stones' God's gifts!
I find it so important, as well, to remember to be thankful 🙂
I LOVED reading all the ways that God used other's to bless your family! He is so faithful to encourage us right when we need it! I have learned that it is impossible to be negative and thankful at the same time. The only way to get rid of negativity is to be thankful. Thanks once again for the great reminder! Maybe I should read this post every day. 🙂 I would love to be able to share our testimonies together one day! Ours sound very similar. Where would we all be without God's grace, love, and the intercessory prayers of faithful saints? Have a wonderful day!
I lOVED reading this! It is so easy to complain rather than praise! Our pastor spoke this Sunday about coming to God with a thankful heart before we ask him for help. We have so much to be thankful for. I love your blog! So inspiring.