Season of Gratitude For whining children, bless the Lord. For unpaid bills, bless the Lord. For a home in need of repairs, bless the Lord. For an ego, bruised and needing comfort, bless the Lord. For aching bones and a tired body, bless the Lord. For the opportunity to live life fully, with all its […]
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Season of Gratitude Some people fear the dark. Not me. In darkness, while tossing and turning, I solve all the problems of the world. In the dark I see clearly exactly what to do to right the wrongs in my life. Everything seems so clear. Everything seems so simple. Everything falls into place–until I confront […]
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Season of Gratitude Night draws near, and with it the end of a life lived well through good times and bad, through sorrows and joy, through pain and loss, through gain and growth. Family and friends gather to say good-bye. John died as he had lived: praising God and giving thanks for God’s marvelous deeds. […]
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Season of Gratitude The children are upstairs, laughing and talking as my spouse tries to quiet them with a bedtime story. I sit outside enjoying the setting sun, an unopened book resting on my lap, a cup of coffee growing cold on the table nearby. A sense of accomplishment from a day’s work well done […]
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Season of Gratitude Flowers struggle to bloom for a few days of glory. Mosquitos live but a single day. Trees exist for hundreds of years. Is life less precious for being short? Is life more special for being long? Each person lives for the time allotted to each, whether a single day or a century. […]
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Season of Gratitude For tiredness and sleepless nights, I thank you, Lord. For the people and the cause I care about that keep me awake, I thank you. For work that both excites and drains me, thank you, Lord. For the ways you creep into my nights and wake me to let me know that […]
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Season of Gratitude “All I want is a little appreciation for what I do around here. A ‘thank you’ now and then.” “Why should I thank you for helping around the house? It’s your responsibility just as much as it’s mine. You’re not helping me out; you’re just doing your share.” The argument continues; we […]
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Season of Gratitude Oh, for this to be over and finished! So much effort, so much work, so little recognition, so little visible progress. And even recognition is so fleeting. Here today, gone tomorrow. I am so discouraged! But I have a reason to get up every morning. I have work to do that gives […]
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Season of Gratitude For days she doctored and nursed her sick kids, cleaning up vomit, washing sheets, spooning out chicken noodle soup, and finally they’re well. They’ve returned to school! The phone rings. The school nurse reports that the “bug” has bitten her son again and that he needs to come home. She feels miserable […]
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Season of Gratitude How many times do I need to say, “I love you,” before someone believes me? Once? Twice? Seventy times seven? Can I ever say it too much if I truly mean it? How many times do I need to say, “thank you,” to change an attitude? Once? Twice? Seventy times seven? You […]
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