Thursday, January 7, 2010

New Possibilities

A new year brings many new possibilities.  For the last few days, my boys and I have been discussing our hopes for this new year.  We all agreed that we want our lives to focus more on our Father and less on ourselves.  We want to serve others. We want to be a blessings to others whenever He provides us an opportunity.  Most of all, we want to draw nearer to Yahweh..."better is one day in your courts".

Psalm

Last year, the best thing I did for myself was to start a gratitude journal.  I share some of that online here with all of you.  I purchased a journal for each of my boys for Christmas.  I found just the right one for each of them...I happened to  find them at a discount store so they were very inexpensive.

Faith in Him

We started the journals by reflecting on 2009 and how thankful we were for His provisions for us throughout the year.  It took several pages! Then we began our lists for 2010.  Each day, as we gather for family devotions, we plan to share with each other some of the things we are thankful for.

Grateful

By writing it down...acknowledging it on paper....you begin to see how blessed you are and how much Yahweh loves you!  These don't have to be material things....although they can be.

Thankful

Some of the things my boys discussed were really interesting!  Soft pillows and warm beds, Elders that love and support them, the double rainbow from our last storm, baby cardinals found in a hidden nest, milk from a cow, brothers that love, Grandma living so close, kittens that purr, gardens that feed, friends that teach and help, flowers that are beautiful and smell sweet, the joy of picking an apple off of your own tree, neighbors that bless, ring and run, praying for each other, card games, fellowship with our church family, holding hands, home cooked food....and the list goes on!

Already my boys are talking about sharing them with their children many years from now!  What a wonderful legacy of His faithfulness in their lives!

A new beginning for you?

Can I encourage you to start your own gratitude journal this year?  Just a few minutes a day...but I warn you.  You will begin to look at things differently!  During my darkest hours this has been one of my biggest blessings!  When you feel that He is silent - read back and know that He is there!

I promise you that it will change your lives!  You'll be so glad that you did!

Blessings,

7 comments:

  1. What a great idea, Cheri, for fostering an attitude of thanksgiving. The Lord's blessings are all special....each in its own way....because they come from His hand. I love what you're doing with your boys; perhaps Anna Rose and I will add this extra treat to our devotion times together. Thank you for the inspiration!

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  2. I've been keeping journals off and on for years, but I usually wanted prompts... I think this is one that I won't need any for. I guess I will be a few days behind to start for the new year, but I will no doubt be able to make up for it!

    Sad I didn't get to talk to you much last night. (Oh, and I can't believe you left those Danish wedding cookies here!) I love you!

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  3. i too do the same thing, and now am grateful that i have to clean out the "leftovers", that i have to clean out the dirt from the floorboards of my auto, and so on and so on. He is faithful and good all the time!

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  4. Cheri,
    I started one this past year, and you are right...it does change the way I look at things.
    grace and peace,
    julie

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  5. What a faith-building idea, and a heritage for your children!

    My journals haven't been specifically designated as gratitude journals over the years, but I've documented prayers and answers alongside day-to-day events. My trust and love for the Lord grows whenever I review His over-riding grace in my daily life.

    Thank you for sharing this--my daughters are just starting their families, so I'm going to pass this onto them!

    The Lords Faithfulness, Salvation and Grace--gifts that keep on giving. Blessings, Linda

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  6. This is a wonderful idea. I consider my blog to be a gratitude journal of sorts. But it would probably be good to have a notebook type journal as well.

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  7. Yes, that's a great idea. Thank you.

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