Tag: thankfulness

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Focus Friday: Let’s Focus on Thankfulness

It’s the first day of November, and I’m going to focus on thankfulness this month. Of course, being thankful every day of the year is important, but maybe if we practice extra hard this month it will be easier all of the other days.

As someone who deals with mental health challenges (depression and anxiety), it’s especially important for me to watch what I’m thinking. Too much negativity can really cause me to spiral down into depression.

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t believe we can just think our way into better mental health, but positive thinking can be part of our plan for maintaining emotional wellness. Being thankful just might bring us more peace and joy. (But don’t forget about counseling, medications, and a great support group like Fresh Hope.)

I’m going to be doing a daily Facebook live video every day this month. After it gets recorded, I’ll add it to a “Thirty Days of Thankfulness” playlist on my YouTube channel. I invite you to check out one or the other and let me know in the comments what you think about thankfulness. Consider starting a list of things you’re thankful for this month and see how many things you can write down.

Showing thankfulness to others could also be helpful. Write a letter to someone you’re grateful for. Tell them how much they mean to you. It will make their day! Take a minute to really thank the waitstaff or store clerk after they’ve served you. They probably don’t receive enough thanks for the job they do.

In my Facebook live series this month, I plan to share a Scripture verse and a poem every day. I won’t post all of them here on my blog, but I’ll let you read the ones I shared today (you can check it out on Facebook or YouTube if you’re interested in the ones I’ll share the rest of the month).

Here’s my poem:

Lord, I don’t feel very thankful today

Life is busy and my anxious thoughts get in the way

Help me focus this month on the blessings I receive from you

If I’m going to find the strength to persevere, that’s really all that I can do

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2:6–7 NIV)

Is it time for you to practice being thankful? What are three things you’re thankful for today? Write them down somewhere and keep adding to the list. How can focusing on God help you feel more thankful?

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Focus Friday: Let’s Focus on Birthdays

Today is my birthday.

I wasn’t planning to write about it. It’s not a “special” birthday. Almost halfway between 50 and 60, I always have to do the math when someone asks me how old I am (I know I’m 54 today, but I’ll probably forget by next week).

Gary and the kids (near and far) wished me a happy birthday this morning. We didn’t go anywhere special (but we’re planning to go out for supper next week). I cleaned a little, did an editing job, and had a pretty normal day.

A friend dropped off a card and a plate of goodies when I wasn’t looking. Another friend dropped off a chicken (for the freezer – not a live one!) and stayed to chat for a while. All day long I heard little pings coming from my phone and I knew birthday messages were coming in on Facebook.

I saw a few of them earlier in the day, but I finally sat down to “like” each of them tonight. So many messages from so many friends and family members. As I tapped and scrolled through all of them, I was overwhelmed by how rich my life is.

There were greetings from people in Michigan (where I grew up), and then from Rock Rapids, Iowa (where we lived after we got married); Orange City, IA (my college years and later, Gary’s); Holland, Michigan (seminary years); Chandler, Minnesota (our first church); Allison, Iowa (our second church); and Platte, South Dakota (where we are now).

I had messages from childhood friends, high school friends, college friends, lots of family members, church and community friends from all over, and so many writer friends.

I needed that reminder of all of the people God has brought into my life over the years.

They have each made my life better in some way, and I hope I’ve added to their lives as well.

Facebook showed me greetings from a small percentage of all of the people I actually know and love in my life. A birthday is a good day to remember, to give thanks, and to look forward to all of the people God will bring into my life in the year ahead.

Thank you for your friendship, whether you wrote on my wall or not. If we haven’t actually met yet, I hope we do that very soon. Oh, and in case I missed yours: Happy Birthday!

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.” (Proverbs 9:10-11 NIV)

Do you ever take time to think about all of the people God has brought into your life? How can focusing on God help you to be grateful for each birthday you celebrate?