I have been asked to speak at our Women’s Ministry Testimonies and Tea next month. The topic is thanksgiving. Not the holiday, the act. Apparently some little birdie said I might have a few things to say on the topic. Indeed, I do. After reading Ann Voskamp’s book, One Thousand Gifts, I have been challenged to live a life of gratitude. That book is not something you can read and then not act on. If you do, it’s like you are boldly saying NO to God, and who wants to do that? So, I am saying YES! And this little tea is just the thing I needed to spark some action in my life on the topic of thanksgiving.
It’s November now, and what I want my boys to be focusing on is gratitude. I thought if I am about to set my eyes heavenward, why not invite them to join me? If my eyes had been fixed heavenward when I was a child, how much more lovely would my life be today? I am determined to help my children live an attitude of gratitude, and believe me, we are starting at ground zero!
Surprisingly, on November 1st when I asked my darling boys to name three things they are thankful for, there replies were:
God – because there would be no creation without God
Jesus – because he did for my sins
A family – to never be lonely
Seriously, you could have knocked me over with a feather. I thought for sure the first words from their tiny mouths would be, Legos, Trains and pizza. Guess what was first on my list of things I’m thankful for — boys with hearts for Jesus. Amen.
If you have not picked up the book One Thousand Gifts, please do, and be prepared for your life to change. I am taking the month of November to form a habit of gratitude for myself and my family.
I begin the month of November with these gifts:
1. Boys with hearts for Jesus
2. Time to spend living in the mess of homeschooling life
3. Giggles coming from the family room with Peter Pan playing
4. 6 year old singing to praise songs on the radio, because he wants to “get his day off to a good start”
5. Warm cider
6. Halloween fun in our new neighborhood
7. Plenty of shoes
8. Sale on a winter coat
9. a good friend who I can trust enough to be my whole honest self
10. opportunity to serve God through my church
Let the praises ring!
