Thursday, March 29, 2012

Day 155: Thankful Today for the Rain On Me Devotional


A couple years ago a friend gave me a devotional that had been written by a mutual friend. The gift was to help me through a certain ordeal. It was a gift that was actually for a later time. I skimmed the pages, encouraged by the bit I read, but it ended up joining the other unread books that occupied my bookshelves. Until now…

And now, the beginning of each morning I am guided into encouragement and faith through the words of the devotional. I am given hope that the rains in my life will pass. But until then I do not walk them alone.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Day 154: Thankful Today for A Co-Worker I will Miss


I haven't posted in awhile because it's been a challenging week. My company's layoffs continued and I lost two people I cared about. There is one I want to mention today. I am thankful for the friendship we built. Her sense of humor relieved the tension that often filled the office. We inspired each other with conversations full of depth of thought. And at times she was a surprise. The cross pictured was one of those.

I found it on my desk upon my return from a Christmas vacation. What was special about it was that she made it herself. She was expert in making jewelry in silver and other precious metals. But what really touched my heart was that though we did not share the same faith, she recognized how important my faith was to me. And she chose to make a symbol of that which I hold dear. I am thankful for my co-worker, my friend, and I will miss her.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Day 153: Thankful Today for Time with Him


I sat parked, looking down at the magnificent view in the distance and in awe of the wonder of God's creation. Amazed, that someone so great would want to spend time with me. It was a quiet time. No earth shattering revelations or momentous answers to prayer. But instead a quiet obedience that would set the stage for a new pattern. I sought him yesterday and will continue to meet him. Looking not for a big event, but instead being thankful that He, my Savior, desires time with Me.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Day 152: Thankful Today for My Jeremiah 3 Bible Study


Bible Study today was Jeremiah 3:6 - 4:4. As usual the timing of this section and subject matter of the study was perfect. The study showed God's patience and love as he called the nation of Israel back to him. As we studied the passage we realized how much God loves us, and desires to spend more time with us. I recognized how much my time with Him had lessened lately. My focus was off.

I have blocked out time for so many other activities. But the one activity that is most important had fallen off my schedule. It was time to make a date with God, an uninterrupted time totally devoted to him. I am thankful that he is so patient and so loving to wait until our eyes and hearts open. And during the wait continually call us in so many ways. The most special way being through his Word.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Day 151: Thankful Today for the Completion of My First Group Project


We have two major projects in this class and both are group projects. This comes with a unique set of benefits and challenges. We do learn quite a bit from each other. We each bring varied backgrounds and skills to the process. But along with that comes varied personalities we will have to learn to collaborate with. It has been a journey to get to this point, sometimes frustrating, sometimes fun. It can take longer to create something when you have more opinions involved. But I have to say it has been a process worth going through. I have increased my knowledge base, grown my collaboration skills and practiced patience.

We just completed our first group project and a week early. Now, on to the next one.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Day 150: Thankful Today for the Spring Ahead in Time


Tonight we set our clocks ahead because of Daylight Savings Time. Even though I am not crazy about losing an hour of sleep, I am thankful for the additional hour of sunlight at the end of the day. I look forward to the springtime evening walks in the park. The sunshine and fresh air is a natural stress relief. It helps me to collect my thoughts, calm any anxieties and plan my evening or even future. It's also a time when great ideas can enter a quiet mind.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Day 149: Thankful Today the Raindrop Sketch is Started


This first art project in a couple years is going a lot slower than expected. School takes priority, so finding the time for additional projects is difficult at best. I am thankful that I have squeezed in the time needed to start the sketch for one of the trading cards. The project is on its way.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Day 148: Thankful Today for The Opportunities That Lie Ahead


I was thinking of them this morning. So many potential doors, but none have opened. However, they all have benefited me in other ways. They have pushed me to begin to prepare, provided direction and encouragement for the journey ahead and given me hope.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Day 147: Thankful Today for my Great Great Aunts

The message at church today reminded me of two of my Great Great Aunts. They both died some time ago. The most recent was about 4 1/2 years ago. They were two sisters who did exactly what the pastor at church talked about today. They had a multi-generational impact.

They passed on their faith to generations after them, who would then pass it on to generations after them. One had children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The other never physically had children but was a mother to many. I see the children they both influenced carrying their children to church and teaching them the truths of the scripture.

Together these women touched over four generations with their faith and love of God. They practiced Psalm 78:1-7.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Day 146: Thankful Today for H&R Block


Tax time can be stressful. But I am thankful for H&R Block because they make the process so much easier. Every year I am sent that big green envelope with a checklist on the back. It is my guide throughout the year. As each piece of needed information arrives it is filed away in it.

On tax preparation day I grab my envelope, and can go to my appointment with the assurance that I am prepared.