Everything Under the Son

Over the last week, I have thought many times about the things I am thankful for. There are so many, many things, that to try and make a list seems impossible! I am truly blessed, and I hope that I never forget that ALL of the blessings, each and every one, are from my loving Heavenly Father.

I have been trying to figure out a way to change my heart; a way that I can leave behind the sinfulness of greed and 'always-wanting-more-itis', a condition I seem to suffer from frequently. I want to seek out a way to find thankfulness in all things...to be thankful for each and every moment, breath, good or bad. I thought about making a book or list of the things I am thankful for, but I have tried that once before and didn't stick with it. What about you...what do you do to remind yourself daily, maybe even moment by moment, that thankfulness is a state of being? Share your tips...I am earnestly seeking this mindset.

On a little different note, last night we celebrated Hope's 4th birthday...her fourth birthday in Heaven. We sang to her, and of course wrote our notes of love on pink balloons and sent them up to her. Natalie was just sure that God was going to reach His hand down and grab them up for Hope! As I thought about her comment, I thought about myself as a parent. How I always want to reach out and grab the best of life for my kids. Then I thought about God, and how He must feel the same way about me. He wants to reach out and give the best things to me, I just have to let Him! Lord, I want you to be my Father...giver of ALL good things!

I hope you had a special time giving thanks this week! I am looking towards Christmas and the celebration of Jesus' birth! What a wonderful season!

I do think God blessed me with a heart that is GENERALLY naturally grateful. I'm kind of a ridiculous optimist and seem to see 'the sunny side' (and things to be grateful for) fairly quickly. I know, though, that the more I put IN the things of this world: TV, even computer and blogs, newspaper sales papers, or even go shopping at the stores, I become more and more discontent with what I have. (You didn't sound like you were specifically talking about combating a materialistic nature, but that is where my ingratitude gets me). So, I guess for me a remedy is balance and spend at least as much time in His word, in prayer, in love with Him to be reminded of how much I have -- namely, salvation, and how much more do I NEED?

Oh, (this is getting long, sorry) I heard something recently that touched on this, too: after Jesus was baptized, God said (as He says for each of us) "This is my child, in whom I am well pleased." After that, Jesus went into the desert to be tempted where part of his temptations were "you DESERVE this -- you have the RIGHT for this" (wanting more) But if we can hear the Lord whispering in our ear: You are my child, I am PLEASED with you! I LOVE you!" How much more do we really need?

Hearing THAT really touched me and wanted to share here -- didn't mean to preach!