Because God Is

The discipline of thanking God for His blessings ignites joy!

-Didi Bacon

I like the meme going around social media that

talks about instead of dreading chores be thankful:

I have to clean-that means I have a home

I have dishes to do-that means I have food

I have work to do-that means I have a job.

You get the picture.

It's all a matter of an attitude of gratitude

that creates a joy filled heart.

Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice!

Philippians 4:4

 

Practice Joy While You Wait

Psalm 27:13-14

I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve gotten better at waiting—sort of.

As a child, my mom signed me up for the Dr. Suess book club. I remember being so happy when the wait ended each month, and I had a shiny new book in my hands. I’m sure I wondered every day if a book would come in the mail. When my little package would finally arrive, I’d read the books over and over until the mail carrier delivered the next batch. 

As a momma-to-be, I waited for Sara to arrive. The closer to the due date the more anxious I was to meet my baby. I was the same with Maggie and Hannah, the waiting was the worst.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to take a book to the doctor’s office, people watch in line at the store, and order with Amazon Prime (so I don’t have to wait.) But when I’m working on a project—a book or devotion that’s sent out to be considered for publication, the waiting can be excruciating.

But I’ve chosen to apply a nugget of wisdom I learned from Michelle Medlock Adams at a recent virtual conference. She said we can have joy as we wait, and the joy in waiting stems from knowing God is sovereign, he’s at work even as I wait. Whatever results from my efforts, God has my best interest in mind.

To practice joy as I wait isn’t easy. My anxiety peaks and the what-ifs dance in my mind. But when I focus on God and the joy of being his child, instead of myself, the waiting is easier.

David, who wrote this psalm, waited. And he reminds me to take heart and be strong—to find the joy. Gratitude produces joy as I anticipate an outcome. I’m thankful for the opportunity, grateful for the possibility, and joy filled because I know God has this.

Find a reason to have joy as you wait.

Jesus Delivers and Forgives

Jesus forgives.

Jesus loves.

Jesus restores life.

I live a life of gratitude and praise because of Jesus' grace.

Had I not experienced sin on this earth, I wouldn't understand the love Jesus offers.

He comforts me and guides me. 

Jesus grace has saved my soul.

 

Anxiety is a Beast

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

“Life is better when you cry a little, laugh a lot, and are thankful for everything you’ve got.”

As one who lives with anxiety, I cling to Philippians 4:6.

When I look back over my life, anxiety raised its hand way too often. In school, I was the kid who wanted to hide when we read aloud in class. I’d just as soon fade into the brick wall as wait to be called on for the kickball team. I wasn’t just shy (although I was shy) I was terrified of attention.

That was my anxiety. The beast has a unique way of manifesting itself in all of us. Most of us feel anxious in certain situations due to stress. Some anxiety is normal.

As an adult, my anxiety reared its head as panic attacks. In my forties, I returned to college to finish my Bachelor’s degree, but I absorbed more information, at one time, than my brain could handle. To get technical—the serotonin didn’t hang out long enough for the process. The doctor figured out the problem and recommended medication. To me the meds are no different than if I was diabetic and had to take insulin. I need them.

But along with the medication, I have another healer in my pocket. Prayer. When I seek God’s attention and pour out all that I’m thankful for—the anxiety dissipates. Yes, I cry and laugh. Laughter is wonderful, tears sometimes help, but the best antidote for anxiety is gratitude. I can sit and talk to my heavenly Father about all the wonders of spring. As I observe my flowers, I say thank you. When I think of my loved ones, I pray thanks. When I consider Jesus’ sacrifice for me, I bow in appreciation.

God created the science behind the meds which help my anxiety, and he’s given me joy and peace in place of fear.

Replace anxiety with gratitude.

Click to tweet: Anxiety is a Beast

Sit Quietly and Be Thankful

As I sit in my chair—

I'm thankful for God, who loves me no matter what,

for Jesus, who covers me with grace,

for the new life of spring,

and for you.

May God bless your day with peace.

 

Winter Season or Season of Winter

2 Corinthians 12:8-10
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I love winter, but not so much the winter seasons of life.

About a year ago, not knowing a pandemic was hurdling toward us, my siblings and I fretted over where our mom would live. After hospital stays and time spent in a nursing home, we pondered whether she should remain in the nursing facility, return to her current apartment, or live in an apartment next to our brother. The ultimate decision was up to Mom.

On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, my siblings and several of our children and grandchildren gathered at the apartment she lived in before the hospitalization. As we prayed for guidance, we packed all her earthly possessions and moved them to my brother’s home, still not knowing her final decision.

Thankfully, Mom moved to the apartment beside my brother just before the pandemic locked down the nursing home. God led us through this difficult winter season just as the door closed on any other possibilities.

In 2 Corinthians, Paul wrote about the thorn in his flesh. In his winter season of life, something difficult plagued him. We aren’t told what the thorn was, only that he had something he referred to as a weakness and hardship. For Paul this must have weighed on him because he wanted nothing more than to serve Jesus. But even in his despair, he thanked God for his trials and claimed delight in his difficult times.

We all go though winter seasons in life. Being with mom through those difficult times of illness and decisions left us all worn and concerned. But Mom pulled through and celebrated her 94th birthday in January, in her new apartment.

The pandemic has been one long winter season for many of us. Prompted by Ann Voscamp’s book, I’ve been writing a list of 1,000 blessings. It’s a bit harder right now, but the list keeps me focused on my journey of gratitude for 2021.

Won’t you join me and seek the blessings, even in the seasons of winter.

What More?

Whatever my lot, I strive to be grateful.

At home in the gray of January, I choose to embrace the beauty of God's creation.

The gold finches' feathers have dulled, 

yet they bring joy with their clacky songs.

Cardinals flit from one evergreen to another.

Flashing the colors of winter.

And I am home. A blessing, indeed.

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, find one thing to brighten your day.

Reach out to a friend-

Look out the window-

Smile-

Read something funny or uplifting.

Gratitude brings joy.

 

Gratitude Opens the Heart to Joy

Luke 17:15-19
One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

The beautiful thing about gratitude—it leads to joy.

As a writer, I embrace words. I have favorites and some I'd rather not hear or read. In the novel I'm writing, I search for the perfect words to express the characters actions and emotions. When I edit, I remove unnecessary words and rewrite the scene.

As many writers do, I've asked God to give me a word for the year.

In 2020, God gifted me with "Be Brave." He basically told me not to fear. In 2020, fear tossed me on my head at times. Yet, I clung to Him and the words he gave me. When anxiety reared its ugly head (which happened more often than I care to share) I called on the Lord for courage.

Now we are waltzing into 2021, praying for a better year. As I asked God for my word, the one I'd focus on for 365 days, He whispered "Gratitude." The Oxford Dictionary defines gratitude as "the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness." I love that returning kindness is part of gratitude.

In Luke 17, Jesus healed ten lepers. He sent them to see the priest and as soon as they stepped away from Jesus, the leprosy left them. As it turns out, only one returned to thank him. And he was a Samaritan, a group of people regarded as lowly and unworthy. That man's heart overflowed with appreciation toward the one who healed him. He could finally live without ridicule and shunning. The Samaritan, low man in society, poured a grateful kindness over the one who gave him his life back. He showed gratitude to Jesus with joy in his heart.

When I imagine being sick for years and despised by most people, and through love and compassion Jesus released me and restored my life; I wonder, would I be like the nine ungrateful men or the one who poured joy over Jesus.

As the New Year rings in, embrace gratitude, show appreciation and return kindness.

I Want to See More Beauty

Gratitude truly colors the way I view my days.

Without it, I tend to forget my blessings, give up on a dream or idea, 

or let my life slip into a fog.

With it I see wonder in every day things, enjoy the people who fill my life, 

and appreciate God's amazing creation.

This year--I choose gratitude.

 

Enough

I am blessed beyond measure.

Am I rich? No.

Am I poor? No.

Do I have what I need? Yes.

Who provides? God

Years ago, when I was a single parent, we didn't have much money or material things. 

But we had enough.

I prayed, and God provided. 

He met every need, and he still does.

For that I am grateful.

 

Gratitude

Having an attitude of gratitude can change a dreary day into a day filled with joy. 

Let God, family, friends, acquaintances know you appreciate them.

Gratitude Brings Joy!

Colossians 3:15-17

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Christmas decorations have hit the stores before November 1. Hallmark launched their holiday movies, October 25. Radio stations are already blasting Christmas cheer.

I admit, I'm watching the Christmas movies and listening to the music. I'm making gifts and have a running holiday list.

In the midst of this holiday flurry, my husband asked, "What happened to Thanksgiving?"

I've pondered Tim's question for a few days now. What did happen to Thanksgiving? Not just the holiday, but the earnest, sincere act of thankfulness. When I volunteer at school, it does my heart good when I hear a child say thank you. Let's model this simple act of appreciation for children so they might pass it on. 

The apostle Paul penned a letter to the people of Colossians. He urged them to give thanks to God in everything. How much better would the day be if we lived with a grateful heart? As we prepare for the holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas, let's stop and praise God. A grateful heart spills joy and hope onto others.

Let's thank God for his love and grace and revive the practice of saying thank you to the people around us.

Gratitude

Enter His Gates with Thanksgiving

Psalm 100
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Some of my friends have taken the November challenge. They're writing a thankful post each day and sharing on Facebook. This is a great practice and I find it uplifting considering the negative and controversial posts I've seen. As I follow along and read all the wonderful things people appreciate, I can't help but consider my own blessings and trials. Yes, I said trials.

Jesus' brother James penned these words in James 1:2-4, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” As I am thankful for the good God pours in my life, I'm appreciative of the trials that make me stronger. Without them I wouldn't be as satisfied with life or able to struggle through day-to-day challenges. Because God strengthens me, I want to enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Praise God for the opportunity to show gratitude and grow in him!

What are you thankful for?