From the Father of Lights

Feeling the beginnings of discontent, it's time for another Thank-You list...

-Morning Thunder Tea and the running comic commentary that goes with it.
-The way the moonlight makes my room glow at nighttime.
-The fabulous White Zinfandel Jess discovered that is now a favorite in our house. :)
-SUNSHINE
-The way joy shows up on my face so that other people notice it.
-My co-workers...they make my job and I wouldn't make it without them.
-The compliment, "Your eyes smile!"
-Our white sheer curtains in our living room.
-Waking up to my Ipod
-My family's sweet dog, Pepper Porch! (And the way she wags her whole body instead of just her tail.)
-Finding something new in Scripture
-How KP ALSO wishes she could go to Hogwarts instead of a muggle school.
-Mental and emotional freedom
-A small group full of women that love God and each other.
-Alias!
-Zumba class even though I've only been once.
-Dreaming about having my own horse ranch for the weary and broken-hearted.
-My old car. It functions and I can't even tell if people ding it up.


Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights...
James 1:17

Thank You Therapy

My worries have been getting the better of me today. Jobless-running-out-of-money worries. So, it is time to make another list of thankfulness.
Here's to You, God.

-Watching Wildfire at Suzy's house and eating her Gardetto's
-Chris & Lori Luhrman :)
-Seeing Orion's Belt on clear nights
-Believing God more and more
-Romans 8:28
-Tuna salad in whole wheat pita pockets
-Writing to my soldier
-A chance of thunderstorms
-Momma's hugs
-Funny Youtube videos
-Sarah's random e-mails to me while she's at work
-Instrumental soundtracks
-Dad laughing
-Seeing little buds on the trees!
-Tylenol
-Laughing with my small group about our weird injuries and diseases
-Refrigerated green grapes


...Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thess. 5:18)

"Overflowing with thankfulness"

Paul encourages the Colossians to continue to live in Christ and to be "overflowing with thankfulness". (Col. 2:7) Taking even a few minutes to physically write down what I am thankful for enables my brain to stop concentrating on how frustrated I am with my circumstances and focus instead on what actually makes me happy from time to time. It's a really good tool for me to use to step outside the swirling mass of anger I walk around in day in and day out. So, here's a random taste of thankfulness.

I am thankful for...

• No more homework!!!
• My paycheck
• Home/Mom cooked meals almost every night
• SUZY!
• Dusk and my deck that is full of umbrellas
• Desert yogurt that is good for you
• My car and it's fabulous air conditioning
• People that love the Gospel
• Kara's temper tantrum's on my bed
• Multi-colored rose bouquets
• "Malcom in the Middle"
• Bible verses that translate directly into personal prayers
• Pearl necklaces
• Great Falls (It's my newest favorite place.)
• Ann Taylor LOFT discounts :)
• People from other cultures/countries

It's a short and rather strange list but it's a practice of putting God in the center of my thoughts and slowly moving out the mountain of garbage that normally resides there. And may this verse become my own during this season of bitter frustration:

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness!" Colossians 2:6-7

Amen and amen, my friends!