Wednesday, November 25, 2009

A Life Of Thanksgiving

A Life Of Thanksgiving

I'm stealing this idea from a friend (who also stole it from a friend) because it's something I need in my life right now.

The Thanksgiving holiday is one of my favorites... food, football, family, friends and lots of fun. But, originally, it was meant to be a day to pause and give authentic thanks to God. Unfortunately, for many, including myself, thanksgiving is more of a one-day holiday that a way of life. I don't know about you, but I've been blessed beyond comprehension, and even in the unwelcome moments of life, I have so much to be thankful for...

What would it look like if I ONLY spoke words of gratitude the entire week of Thanksgiving? If I went so far as to look at a pile of laundered clothes that awaits my folding and putting up, a task I normally hate, and instead think and speak out loud, “God, thank you for these clothes, for providing covering.” When my daughter voicing her grumpiness, “God, thank you that she has a voice that works and you are shaping her own unique personality.” If every time next week I see a person, I tell them why I am thankful to God they are in my life.

So, starting now and going through this Sunday evening, I'm challenging myself to live an entire week full of thanksgiving.

Anytime I'm tempted to think/say/do something negative (filthy, foolish, crude or otherwise unthankfull), I will instead choose, in that very moment, to give thanks to God for His blessing in my life.

If you'd like to join me, comment to this post saying so AND re-post this (in our own words, if you'd like...no need to link me) on your blog, twitter, facebook, etc. and challenge your friends to do the same. Even if you're not reading this until after Monday morning, it's never too late to take up a good challenge. And, keep in mind that nobody who takes this challenge is going to make it an entire week without missing the mark...so, when that happens to you, just pick yourself back up and start again!

Happy (life of) Thanksgiving!

2 comments:

Amy Osburn said...

I take that challenge!! Thank YOU for reminding us all to do what we should be doing in the first place...appreciating all we have in our lives! Love you, NitaLew! :)

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful way to live every single day of your life. I just came across this on Sunday night, but have already been thanking God. Thank you for the beautiful words and the reminder.