REMEMBER THE NEED FOR THANKS

 My sweet little youngest grand is quite the character.  I love telling his Daddy he is paying for his childhood.  (What goes around comes around) He has an exuberance for life that makes us all smile, but with all that energy---comes a mind that is going 90 to nothing also.  You cannot take your eye off of him for a minute, and he knows NO fear!  He recently learned to pedal his bicycle and he is off to the races.  His Daddy is getting his exercise trying to keep up with him by jogging beside him.  Amazing how quickly they learn balance when you never use training wheels.  Those strider bikes were quite the innovation.

His parents limit the amount of sugar he ingests-for obvious reasons.  He quickly learned that Lulu always keeps snacks in her pantry and I am very indulgent with my grands when it comes to snacks.  When he comes to visit without his parents, it is a virtual parade back and forth to the pantry.  I have learned to give him a snack drawer and keep all the big containers up high--out of sight and reach.  He knows when he comes over I will have a variety of snacks in that drawer for him, but when the drawer is empty, snack time is over.  He has come to expect the snacks---takes them for granted---time to work on him being thankful.  He walks in the door expecting to visit the snack drawer and I had best have that drawer ready.  Single minded and focused on what he wants, he is not a happy camper when I fail to produce.

As I thought this over this morning, it occurred to me my prayers have become a long litany of what I want or think I need.  NOW--when I am praying for others, that is an act of unselfishness, but when I am focused on my own navel---my desires begin to cloud my relationship with God.  I become the expectant child who is not happy if my prayers are not answered in the manner I desire nor on my timetable.  My prayer time has become a dash to the drawer of supplication--for myself and others.  I need to back up---remember that acronym ACTS.  When I approach our Holy God, I should always begin with adoration and praise.  Then comes time to confess---my rebellion--my commissions and omissions. AND then---I should ALWAYS remember and be thankful for all God has done and will do---for His great love for me.  As I walk through the day, I often throw up thanks for something I am seeing or experiencing, but it is important in every prayer to be thankful.  Then and only then can I ask---and I should ask without expectation for how my supplication should be answered.  It is wonderful how God can use a 3 year old to show me my need for an attitude change.  We are never too old for God to teach us and I am so thankful He loves me enough to always desire the best for me.  

"Always be joyful and never stop praying.

Whatever happens,

keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ."

I Thessalonians 5:16-17

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

 MAY YOUR DAY

BE FILLED

WITH

LOVE AND JOY

HAPPY THANKSGIVING,

DEAR FRIENDS!

MY FRIDAY IS NOT BLACK

Today is the day--the media has named---BLACK FRIDAY.  Marked by those that love the thrill of shopping and seeking those impossible bargains.  They join the throngs of shoppers--pushing - shoving - hurrying - scurrying - standing in long lines - enjoying the thrill of the chase of the deal of the year.  Is this part of your holiday tradition?  Your holiday would be incomplete without this day of pandemonium?  ENJOY---have a great day!

My day will not be spent in the midst of crowds--never shopping--I had rather scrub commodes than join the throngs of shoppers.  NOT to worry--there will be no scrubbing on this day--I plan to enjoy the day and embrace the joy of this time of thanks. 

 I am thankful for the holiday fare of yesterday.  Today I am enjoying it again AND it is always better the second and third time around.  Why is it so much better as leftovers?  Perhaps the herbs and spices have had time to saturate and penetrate ---bringing out the full flavor of that which started as good and only got better with time.  A little like you and me---we get better with age---like a fine wine--time brings out the deep full flavor and bold bouquet.

I might take a ride--or perhaps even a walk--a slow nature savoring travel down the path.  Ambling along--enjoying the beauty of the day--the slow warming as the late fall sun rises in the sky--bathing in the fall colors as I trek down the path.

Enjoying a laugh---sharing a chat---spending time with those that I love and who love me.  Playing a game--watching football--being close and spending time with those who are special and I hold dear.  What better way to spend my day?

So enjoy your shopping on this Friday known for being black.  I prefer to pass on the shopping spree - not sure I understand the fun of that kind of day.  I much prefer to stop---slow down---relish the day.  My Friday will not be black--nor will it be blue---it instead will be a golden day.

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."

I Chronicles 16:34

THANKFUL FOR CORNERS TURNED

Today is Thanksgiving and I dare to say most are with family--friends--and kin.  I too am with family and friends---and Thanksgiving no longer looks like it did for most of my life.  I cherish the sweet memories of years that have gone by and am blessed to now smile when they bubble to the surface.

This year I am especially thankful to discover a corner that has been finally turned.  God has used the friends from my past and the new ones of today to finally convince me He has wonderful plans for today and tomorrow.  He finally is beginning to reveal why He had me move and reminds me of His careful care all along the way.  He never left me---He faithfully loved me--He tenderly provided for me and now He has helped me turn the corner to healing.

He has shown me all the gifts and talents He has richly blessed me with.  He has reminded me of friends from the past and friends being made today.  He has used so many others to remind me of what He thinks of me.  He has allowed me to leave behind the pain of rejection and reminded me of what He thinks.  He thinks I am His beautiful creation--filled with a loving spirit--loved by many and loving many--gifted with the desire to serve--over flowing with a passion for Him and blessed by His deep abiding love for me.

Friends from old and new friends too have all been used by Him to convey what He thinks.  I am strong, I am brave, I am courageous, and I am His beloved.  He has faithfully loved me and steadfastly walked by my side.  He has plans for me and for that I am thankful.  He knows I am special and He has used you to remind me---for that I am thankful.

A HAPPY AND BLESSED THANKSGIVING TO YOU ALL!

WITH GREAT LOVE AND FONDNESS,

Loralu---Lora---Lulu

"I thank my God every time I remember you.

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy."

Phillipians 1:3-4

GOOBLE - GOOBLE

We are all happy and filled with such glee

Good food and good fun will be had with all 

Thanksgiving day is coming soon you see

A Celebration day at the end of Fall.

~~~~~~~~~~

We are busy planning a really fun day

Filled with all of our favorite kin

Playing and running and games, you say

Stories and football for all in the den.

~~~~~~~~~~

But not everyone is excited as the days pass

leading up to the huge feast

Some are in dread that leads to bad gas

Creating a very unhappy beast.

~~~~~~~~~~

Tom the Turkey is fretting and dreading it too

Knowing the danger held by the menu

He wishes he could learn how to moo

Or at least ask for a change in his venue.

~~~~~~~~~~

The other turkeys have told Tom the tale

Of what is planned for the main course

If he had a boat, he would set sail

The rumor must be true it came from a good source.

~~~~~~~~~~

How could this be? Who has made this plan

Surely a cow would make a better dish

Eating a turkey someone should ban

Why not try a delicious grilled fish?

~~~~~~~~~~

Poor Tom is resigned to his sure fate

There is only one good thing of the upcoming dinner

After all he surely must rate

Being the main dish must make him the winner.