Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #38

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

Today I am grateful for the power of prayer. Whether or not you do it much, don’t do it at all, or don’t believe in it, I’m doubtful that you haven’t been the recipient of someone’s prayers that worked in your favor. And if you say, “I do it but I never get an answer,” you may want to reconsider whether or not that’s true. If your child or someone asks you for something and you told them no, they may have not liked the response but you surely didn’t ignore them. Often we just don’t like the “answer” to our prayers. At this point in my life I am grateful that I’ve gotten enough no’s from God that now I’m at another spot. I can more readily accept that He has good reason than I was able to accept in the past. Over time I’ve been able to look back in each situation where there was a “no” or “wait” and almost cringe; God saved me from some bad situations. So, learn to be thankful for the various answers that help you to see that there really is a “specific” plan for your life. One more thing I want to say, if you pray watch what or to whom you’re praying. All prayers are not equal; prayer is a very sacred and spiritual thing and it really does matter where our prayers are directed. I sincerely believe there is Someone Who sits high and looks low; He’s listening. For me…my life proves it. I don’t believe in luck and I’m no self-made woman.

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #37

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

I am grateful for the existence of “absolutes.” What do you mean Charlotte? I’m talking about the existence of truth, the existence of certainty, the existence of universal laws that stand true. Could you imagine what it would mean for our society if there was an adoption of the idea that no one can really determine what is really right or what is wrong? Oh my goodness, among so many other things, that would open the door to the acceptance of children being violated for the sake of personal pleasure. After all, who is to say what’s right and what’s wrong? I have to add one more. Take for example someone had no way to get to work. Due to a number of absences the person has a great fear of losing their job, it would be okay for them to just sneak up and steal your car off the grocery store parking lot, right? We all may find justification for some reason why a person might do something, but what about if we were the victim of such act? If you have been the type that somewhat skirted around the existence of absolutes, hopefully this helps you to reconsider what you believe. If you hold to absolutes, then be thankful that they exist. For me it is a very scary thought to live in a society without them.

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #36

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

I am so grateful that life never stays the same. I’m sure the majority of us can testify to going through somewhat awkward stages in childhood where we felt like we just couldn’t fit into the image of which we felt we really were but it just wasn’t taking effect. Do you know what I mean? It was that seemingly never-ending phase (or phases) where you felt you just couldn’t see your role in life—what set you apart from others or made you believe that you had something to contribute. Those periods can feel painful but the rewarding part is when you can look back and think, “Ah ha! So that’s what that was all about!” Those are just your periods of growth. Be thankful for them.

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #35

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

Today I want you to independently consider 1 thing that you haven’t thought about for which to be grateful in the past 34 days. These past 34 days have been to help invoke “purposefulness” in being thankful. So, what’s that 1 thing that pops into your mind? Still need some help? What about opportunities? What opportunities have come your way that you might have never imagined? As we continue to journey towards the official Thanksgiving Day, I hope you are learning how to pay attention to the smallest things in life that you may have taken lightly in the past. Does anyone have to tell you what to think about OR has this always been/ becoming more natural for you?

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #34

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

You leave the house one day and it’s TOO HOT. Leave the house another day…it’s TOO RAINY. But then you come to another day…AND IT’S JUST RIGHT! It almost sounds like a line from the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Ha Ha! Unfortunately, when it’s just right for some of us it’s all wrong for someone else. Some of us like that tropical feel in the air. But for those of us who live here in St. Louis, we have to admit we’ve been blessed with some AMAZING weather these past few days. It’s nice to be driving to work in the morning and find that I haven’t rolled my windows down because the temperatures have been just right. I’m one of those who don’t mind the tropical feel; it’s the fall and winter that I dread. But even in those seasons, I will be grateful. It gives things a chance to die that need to die (I’m sure there are a bunch of ‘amens’ to that from my fellow allergy suffers). My allergies are all year round so it doesn’t matter to me really. But seriously, whether  conditions are just as we want them to be with the temperatures or not, we have a reason to be thankful. It could be so unbearable right now!

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #33

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

This is the day that the Lord has made. So, I choose to exercise joy and find reasons to be glad on today. There is a saying that 'God don’t make no junk.' Yea, I know that’s poor English but that’s the phrase and I believe that about today. Things may have not gotten off to a great start…I take that back. If you and I woke up this morning able to move, THAT is a great start. We determine what will be the tone for the rest of the day. You and I may be faced with a number of issues but we have to mentally fight to not let circumstances make our minds like yo-yos. If everything is going our way, we’re in a good mood all day. If something or someone interrupts our flow, it just sets the tone for negative behavior and thoughts to flow from us the whole day. Sure, it can be challenging but we have to make it our purpose to not let anything or anyone have that much power over us. That’s just too much power to give anyone or anything! You may find yourself slipping into a negative mood but as soon as you notice what’s happening, switch gears. YOU DECIDE to do what you need to do to change what you’re thinking about and how you are behaving. If in the past you’ve failed in this area, well here’s your opportunity to have one of many reasons to be thankful for another day. This is the day that the Lord has made. So join me in CHOOSING to exercise joy and find reasons to be glad on today.

Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #32

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you don’t know what this is all about.

Confirmations. Have you ever believed that you were supposed to make a certain decision but you felt you just needed a little extra assurance that you would be making the right decision? Like me I’m sure you’ve had those times when you THOUGHT you were so right about your decision but in hindsight you found that it was the wrong path. After the fact you could even see clearly why it was the wrong path. They say hindsight is 20/20. If we follow wisdom, there comes a point in life where we build discernment skills. And for those of us who have learned (and maybe still learning) to follow God’s leading we really don’t have to depend on any externals for knowing what to do. But in reality sometimes we all miss it; we fail to get it right what to do. It is in times like these that I am so grateful for what I call God’s little hints or reassurances. Maybe you had this unexplainable feeling to call someone but you felt uncomfortable doing it because you hadn’t talked to them in awhile for whatever reason. Then along comes someone mentioning that very same person’s name. Or maybe you apply for 2 different jobs but you don’t know which one is the right one. One of them happens to fall through, but you get the one that seemed to have been created just for you. These are little gifts you can’t buy anywhere. And you can’t earn them. Nope…treasures for which to be thankful.