The snow begins to fall.
The temperatures have dropped.
There is snow on the mountain.
It is absolutely breathtaking.
The Seasons never disappoint here in the North East.
There is beauty every where in every thing.
Yet, today I work hard to have my heart match that beauty.
I name the things for which I am thankful.
Large decisions over shadow each step of our journey.
They feel weighty and heavy.
So much at stake.
My farmer works hard already, now added to his burden are huge decisions.
We seek earthly counsel.
We storm the heavenlies.
With temperatures dropping and the added burdens of work, it feels unsettled.
The antidote to these wavering feelings is the solid ground in Christ.
It is there we have our hope.
It is there we learn and wrestle and grow.
It is in the practice of Praise, in the letting go, that we are shaped.
It is in the Praise that I see Gods hand at work.
So many times I fail to see Him working.
I feel stuck.
Abandoned.
This life is a journey.
There is a path.
A road.
A continuum.
Even when we feel stuck.
God is not.
When we feel abandoned.
God is there.
When we dig deep to name our Praise our focus changes.
“Count your Blessings, name them one by one, Count your many blessings see what God has done.”
They say it takes 30 days to establish a habit.
I say it takes a lifetime of 30 day practices.
Continually I need this reminder.
I Am Thankful For:
During the wind storm not one hair on our heads was harmed
the choices we have in decision making-even though it is hard
farm girls who have such a heart for their dad
my farmer- he never gives up
cofee
friends who bring me coffee because they know me so well
hot coffee
conversations with my sister in law
bible study group where we are discussing food choices and living
times of learning and stretching
Christmas music and a farm house full of kids that get excited
friends who gather around our farmhouse table to listen and share their wisdom
a visit from a friend bearing fresh bread and homemade apple butter
the early dark hour to quiet ourselves and rest
a Community that cheers us on even when we feel like we can’t go on
reminders that God is at work even when it doesn’t feel like it
grace – no matter how many times I mess up. . . I am forgiven
the Cross- it made all the difference
the practice of counting my blessings
