thankful thursday
happy sweet thursday friends!
it's november...and you know what that means?
Thanksgiving!
but who are we kidding here,
is one month really the only time to live washed in the sacred practice of offering thanks?
sadly I recoil at my tendency to block intentional gratitude off to one month a year.
for
i am slowly learning that the act of giving thanks
is also the act of freeing our spirit-
letting loose my selfishness which screams ME
and learning to soak in the gifts of the Father which are set apart for HIS glory.
and so begins my journey back into Ann Voskamps 1000 gifts.
i read this manifesto a few years ago, but am venturing back into this goodness with a few sweet lovely blogging friends....
"thankful thursday" seemed appropriate to call it.
and you are absolutely invited in to share this journey with us!
you know what hit me as I dove in?
this.
that from the beginning
{and i'm talking Garden of Eden beginning}
satan has been using the same old lie on us...
"God isn't good"
ann says "it's the cornerstone of [satan's] movement. That God withholds good from His children, that God does not genuinely, fully, love us."
yuck.
yuck because i've fallen for that darn lie.
over.
and over.
and over again.
i just keep reliving that "garden story"
which is utter ingratitude and mistrust.
our fall, my fall, "has always been, and always will be, that we aren't satisfied in God and what He gives"
double yuck.
but the first step is realizing that this particular ugliness is festering.
to be conscious that it's seeping in and infiltrating our mind and heart.
because it's pretty easy to sometimes allow that lie to take over our thinking,
which makes us pathetically entitled to things we're sure God owes us!
{and i speak from personal experience, sadly}
but this season i want to press in to the TRUTH.
the TRUTH that says
God is LOVE.
the TRUTH that says
I can live FREE and AT PEACE
in HIS presence.
ALL wrapped in Thanksgiving!
but I can't do that seeped in discontentment.
and so Ann sets the stage for chapter 2.
how in the world does one move from mistrust in God's goodness
to a life of refreshing praise?
because i want that, i desire that.
and so the story continues to unfold as we read for next week:)
and as an addition each week I want to share a few things i'm thankful for:
- an absolutely amazing sister bonding trip to germany and greece with my sister (and that I didn't kill us driving the rental car! Like really, that is a PRAISE!)
- an incredible Life Group to live out the gospel with
- a sweet hubby that makes me laugh and encourages my soul
- Salad, sweet potatoes, and baked brussel sprouts, yum!!
- the most adorable neighbor kids who draw us pictures and ring our doorbell every day.
what are YOU thankful for today?
love Katie