Choosing Gratitude Day 12

Day 12

3 John 1–4

Numerous secular studies and research projects 

attest to the health benefits of the attitude of 

gratitude. From better sleep to fewer medical 

symptoms, gratitude just seems to satisfy.

The apostle John says to his beloved sons and 

brothers in Christ, “I pray that all may go well with 

you and that you may be in good health, as it goes 

well with your soul” (v. 2). He’s right—there’s 

something physically strengthening and sustaining 

about being joyful in the Lord and grateful for His 

blessings.

While living a godly life does not guarantee physical 

health, a healthy (spiritual) heart can do much to 

enhance our physical and emotional well-being. What 

are some reasons you think that might be the case?

We’ve been on this gratitude journey for more than 

ten days now. What differences have you noticed in 

your overall wellness and outlook?

I don’t know about you but I feel more relaxed, thankful, and joyful since starting this challenge. No I’m not perfect and I still struggle with self-pity and stress…but I am more aware of my blessings.

How abut you…if you are doing the challenge have you noticed any changes?

For His Glory,

Choosing Gratitude Day 11

Day 11

Romans 5:1–11

If you’re a Christian, the best thing that’s ever 

happened to you is being saved from sure destruction 

for your sins and ushered into the family of God, 

beginning now and continuing for all eternity. Sadly, 

time tends to dull our appreciation of the magnificent, 

sacrificial work of Christ on our behalf. Life gets so 

busy and complicated; we can go for weeks—or 

longer—without being swept away by the magnitude 

of our salvation.

One of my friends paraphrases Romans 5:8 this way: 

“God demonstrated His love toward us in this: while 

we were in open, hostile rebellion toward Him, having 

no interest in Him—not only that but actively 

despising Him and all that He stands for—Christ died 

for us.”

 How can we not be inexpressibly thankful? But, 

praise God, gratitude can reopen the wonder to us, 

throwing back the dingy curtains of complacency until 

the full light of His grace and glory come streaming 

through.

The salvation we have in Christ is a “many 

splendored thing,” a diamond with countless brilliant 

facets. What spiritual blessings in today’s Scripture 

reading need to be added to your list of “Gifts from 

God”?

If we think about it we sin EVERYDAY. Yet God is still merciful and forgiving. Day in and day out God still forgives my sins, hears and answers my prayers and even blesses us.

He loves us enough to chastise us when we sin. "For whom the Lord  loves He corrects, just as a father the son [in whom] he delights." Proverbs 3:12

For His Glory,

Choosing Gratitude Challenge Day 10

Day 10

1 Corinthians 2:6–11

There are blessings in your life and mine that “no eye 

has seen, nor ear heard” (v. 9)—blessings that only 

show themselves by not showing up. Today, try 

listing as many of these things to be grateful for as 

you can think of. For example, think of the miles 

you’ve driven without getting a flat tire. Think of the 

big tree out front that’s never dropped a damaging 

limb on your house. Think of a destructive sin or 

habit the Lord has kept you from being tempted by. 

Perhaps you’re hobbled by a medical problem or two, 

but think of a dozen you’ve never experienced.

Look at all the benefits on your growing list of 

gratitude inducers, and by backing them into reverse 

like this, you’ll find your blessings multiplying at an 

amazing rate.

Gratitude can (and should) lead us to intercession. A 

good prayer starter is to ask God to remind you of 

those who do suffer from some of the things He’s 

spared you from. Lift these people up to Him today.

Part of my morning devotions I list five things I’m thankful for. Many mornings being thankful that the van still runs makes it on the list. Something has been wrong with it for about a year now. The Lord has been gracious and kept our van running!

What are some things you are grateful for? How can I pray for you today?

For His Glory,

Choosing Gratitude Day 9

Day 9

2 Corinthians 9:6–15

Where gratitude grows, you’ll generally find 

generosity flourishing as well. Yet, generosity is a 

most unnatural quality. I mean, here we stand today, 

in an age as risky, volatile, and dangerous as any 

other in memory, where conventional wisdom 

declares this is no time to be loose with our money 

and other resources.

Yet Paul expressed a surprising lack of concern for 

economic indicators when he advised the Corinthian 

church to let generosity be among the most notable 

expressions of their gratitude. His trust in God’s 

supply was so strong, he treated as a “given” the fact 

that the church would “be enriched in every way to 

be generous in every way, which through us will 

produce thanksgiving to God” (v. 11). “God is able to 

make all grace abound to you, so that having all 

sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in 

every good work” (v. 8).

In all things. At all times. Even these times. Grateful 

people are generous people.

What act(s) of generosity might gratitude be 

motivating you toward today? Ask God for wisdom 

and faith, and then follow through on the promptings 

of His Spirit in relation to your giving.

I love being generous. Yet I find it hard to do lately. I find myself thinking I have to make $20 stretch for groceries…how can I afford to give that money to someone else?

Yet I have heard of people doing just that…giving what little money they had and God blessing and providing for them.

I pray God will give my husband and I courage and boldness to generously give to others in need!

What about you? Are you grateful and generous? How may I pray for you today? I have thoroughly enjoyed praying for y’all!

For His Glory,

Choosing Gratitude Day 8

Day 8

James 4:6–10

Gratitude is the overflow of a humble heart, just as 

surely as an ungrateful, complaining spirit flows out 

of a proud heart. Proud people are wrapped up in 

themselves. If people or circumstances don’t please 

or suit them, they are prone to whine or become 

resentful.

A humble person thinks much of God and others and 

little of himself. He recognizes that anything he has is 

better than he deserves. He doesn’t feel anyone owes 

him anything. He doesn’t feel entitled to have more, 

or for life to be easy, or for everyone to love him and 

treat him well. He’s grateful for the least little 

kindness that’s extended to him, knowing it’s more 

than he deserves.

Make a list of anything you can recall “whining” about 

recently. How does your complaining manifest a spirit 

of pride, entitlement, and expectations?

Then take time to sit quietly before the Lord. Confess 

any pride that has shown itself in complaining, 

irritability, anger, or resentment, rather than giving of 

thanks. Humbly tell Him that you don’t deserve any of 

His favor, and give Him thanks for any specific recent 

blessings He brings to mind.

Wow! I have to say this “hit home” and came at a perfect time! This morning during my “5 step plan” devotional (that’s my nickname and I’ll talk more about it at a later time), while writing my 5 confessions, I confessed that I had realized the day before I was struggling with self-pity. Woe is me. *wink* It most certainly is the wrong attitude to have!

Plus as you know to my shame I have been struggling with bitterness = anger/resentment. I find the stress brings out anger in my heart. It’s ugly! It’s not easy, but God is working on and sanctifying me.

I have never thought of it as being pride though. Honestly that’s hard to hear. But I’m glad to hear it!

Now I’m off to pray and ask God to reveal any more pride.

I don’t know about you, but this list might take me a few days to finish writing, as God works in my heart.

I would LOVE to pray for you! Do you have any prayer requests?

For His Glory,

Struggles

Are you weary? I am weary.

I know I have been MIA for a while. *smile* The past few months have been very hard. How could I write on a blog when I am struggling so much myself? So I haven't written anything.

After reading another bloggers confession of struggling in life and other women telling her it is OK. They would love for her to share and be honest with her struggles. It gave me the courage that  it's ok...my life doesn't have to be perfect to write. I can share some of my struggles. I don't want to gossip or slander, especially my marriage, which it can be a fine line between trying to share those struggles, but not give too much info (while trying to get across the hurt, etc) or vent. That would not be God honoring. I think it would be worse to make it sound like everything is great and I have it all together, then to be more open.

Because I'm NOT perfect. I'm a work in progress...striving to be more Christ like. My walk with the Lord is not perfect...I make mistakes all the time as a mom...and I find "this whole marriage thing" to be really, really hard! It's been almost a year since living together and as time goes on, that I constantly fall short as a wife.

Here is where I'm a:

A few days into September, I found out we had not paid rent and there was no more money. Long story short we moved in with my parents at the very last moment. We are living in the second story of my parents garage (it's finished), though the bathroom and kitchenette aren't finished, so we are also in their house.

My husband still doesn't have a job. Which brings on fear and stress itself. He went down to MS for 3 1/2 weeks during the month of Oct. to work for family. Which was a blessing! It allowed us to pay the monthly bills that month and it give us some needed time apart (at least I did).

I have been struggling with our situation and in my marriage. Things my husband thinks and has said, takes my breath away and hurts. Honestly I feel so lonely in my marriage!

I have also struggled with being depressed. That is SOOOO hard and scary to admit let alone write down. But it's true...it physically hurt to be around people, such as going to church. All I wanted to do was cry and sleep. I am questioning everything, yet I know God is in control and still trust Him, though I don't fully understand. I don't think I'm depressed anymore, I feel better, I am still so burnt out though.

Through it all, through all the pain...God is still in control! He has been gently reminding me to continue fighting for my marriage and to CONTINUALLY pray for it! Even if I feel like giving up, that I need to pray. So I have been trying to just do that.

I read this the other day and it's exactly how I feel and one reason I'm tempted not to share. I don't want to stay here, I don't want to seem faithless. We are to find joy in ALL our trials, so how can I admit, I'm struggling with that?:

Dear God, I am so sorry for being discouraged. I know it is just a process of grieving and working through pain in my life, but I don't want to get stuck here. I don't want to appear faithless to those around me. Please, help me to live victoriously through the power of Your Holy Spirit. Please, show me the way, and bring the word of Your unfailing love to me, that I may be comforted and that I may be a living testimony for You. Thank you, Lord, in Jesus' name. Amen.

I think it would be a good time to finish our 30 Days of Gratitude. *smile*

What has God been doing in your life lately?


For His Glory,

Wise Woman Christmas Shopping Guide

I just want to bring to everyone's attention that:

A Wise Woman Builds Her Home put together a Christmas Shopping Guide!

My Etsy shop: Natural Kiss is listed on the Christmas Shopping Guide! So Exciting! *smile*

If you "like" my Facebook Page or follow me on Etsy you'll get notified of of sales and new products being posted. Which I am working hard to get new goodies. up and posted. 

I love that she is promoting home businesses! What a great idea to help promote some of those businesses.There are some really nice shops...
So go on over and check out the Christmas Shopping Guide.

I also wanted to pass on the word that Lilla Rose is having a sale!! 


Which reminds me Lilla Rose would make a beautiful gift! If you are interested in purchasing a Lilla Rose product, would you please order through me?! Please! *smile* 

My website is: Lilla Rose and my facebook page.

Have you started your Christmas shopping? Family is already asking me so I have to think about it. ;)

For His Glory,