Joy! Joy! Joy! Joy! JOY!!!!

 I should have posted this Sunday. I’m grateful I was able to be part of the Festival of Christmas Music presenting “Joy Has Dawned.” I love being part of a mass choir accompanied by orchestra. The program also included several amazingly beautiful handbell pieces. The focus on the joy of what God did at Christmas was a blessing on a weekend of dreary weather. May music of faith be my sunshine. 

Next: Sing my soul …

A new set of steps

I attended my second virtual meeting of Clutterers Anonymous tonight. I admit I am powerless over my clutter. It is disrupting my life & my relationships. I’m powerless to overcome this on my own. I am thankful there is a group of people like me who are working 12 steps & using tools & other resources, working together to get better. I can’t do this alone. I want to believe I can do this with the help of God & this program. I pray for willingness & ability. I thank God that there is a program for Clutterers & that I have found it. 

Thankful anyway, always

One of the last things I wanted to do for my #monthofhanksgiving was to post on my blog before going to bed. Shortly after waking up on Dec. 1, I realized I had not posted. The part of me that likes to meet my self-imposed quotas & deadlines was miffed. I’m grateful to realize they were self-imposed quotas & deadlines; they don’t matter in the big scheme of things. So I can be grateful & joyful anyway. And so I will. 

Unexpected song of Thanksgiving

I just realized that I did not post a video of me singing Now Thank We All Our God and-or Be Present at Our Table, Lord. Maybe God had other plans, as Becky asked me to pray over our meal. So I said a silent “yes” and “thank You” to God, then I sang & prayed from the heart. I’m grateful I was able to seize the moment I believe God orchestrated for me to express thanks to God. 

I trust God that it was enough for today. I don’t need to push to record a video or anything else. I’ve thanked family & God. I’ve been present. I feel God’s peace & am grateful.

Month of thanksgiving!

I’m so grateful for constant reminders of God’s goodness, presence & blessings. Great is His faithfulness. 

Accepting what is

I am what I am. 

My life is what it is. 

It’s ok to not participate in Halloween. 

It’s ok to have a pretty slow day. 

I’m not missing out. I’m just making different choices. 

I can have great experiences without sharing them on social media. 

It’s also true that it often seems selfish not to share wonderful experiences. I know how much I enjoyed seeing Becky’s expression of gratitude by sharing pictures of some of her favorite moments of October. 

It truly is worthwhile to focus on the positive — & not dwell on the “what ifs” & the things I didn’t get done. 

I can only do that as I pray to God, receive Him, trust Him, obey Him & give Him all glory, honor, thanks & praise. I know I’m doing it when I receive His peace that surpasses my ability to understand, to guard my heart & my life in Christ. 

So grateful for spontaneity

Fishing in Venice got cancelled so Gene called an audible & we ended up in College Station for Fightin’ Texas Aggies Midnight Yell & gameday versus Ole Miss. I’m really glad we were able to act on the opportunity!