Another day of thanksgiving

Sunday morning, I was excited to think of sharing that I was grateful my #30daysofthanksgiving ended on the first day of Advent. 

I was going to reflect on the days I was grateful even though I didn’t take a picture or post on social media.

Instead, at the end of a very good day, I was feeling more overwhelmed than grateful. 

About 11 pm, after trying to figure out my #30day pic & which Advent lesson plan to use, I paused to pray. I prayed to be still & be real. To feel. I lifted up concerns. 

And the clearest answer I received was to let it go. Quit striving to tie up loose ends of November or figure out what to do next. Let it go. Don’t fret about posting on social. Let it go. 

So, I took a deep breath & let it go. This wasn’t my idea, my will or my way. It was an act of faith. 

I woke up today aware of the need to continue to pray & trust God & act in faith — even when (especially when!) that means letting go of … 

I pray for willingness & ability.   

My hope & trust is in God. 

#ichoosejoy 

#hope  

#love

#peace

Advent begins in darkness …

(Light a candle of hope.)

The excerpt below that I posted on Facebook from an YouVersion Bible app reading plan is another step in helping me slow down & listen for God as I transition from the month of thanksgiving into Advent & preparing my heart for Christmas.  I am grateful.

Advent begins in darkness. 

The world is groaning. We long for peace, righteousness & justice. We acknowledge the horrible reality of sin in the world. We stand in need of a Savior.

It’s easy for us to think of Advent as simply a memorialization of Jesus’ birth … 

Rather, Advent historically was a preparation for the second coming of Christ.

…

Advent isn’t just our countdown to Christmas; it is our standing firm in darkness, waiting for the glorious transformation of our world thru the power of the Holy Spirit.

The theme of Advent is not Here comes Jesus to be born, it's: the world is in darkness, & the Judge is coming. 

In this way, Advent looks beyond all history & into eternity, when Jesus will come again in glory to judge the living & the dead.

Where do I long for God’s justice in the world? (End of war, evil, suffering, hunger.)

What do I hope for? (Peace, love, hope, joy) 

#ichoosejoy 

#hope  

#love

#peace

Days of thanks

So far, I’ve managed a thanksgiving post each day of November. For that I’m grateful too!

Today’s:

So much for which to be grateful today! Fall sunrise colors; fishing (even though no catching for me); a new home for Autumn Blessings; family time as a bunch of us watched Ryan play 7th-grade football (under fabulous sunset colors); & another bad attempt to photograph that awesome full moon! #30daysofthanksgiving #ichoosejoy



30 days of thanksgiving

 Grateful to start a day late. Since I did post yesterday, I just went back & added the hashtag!!

A few more cool things that came home with me from the Angels Unlimited event at Goodrich! Two of the things I posted yesterday have a new home already, another one should by the weekend, & one of these will tomorrow. Giving them away feels as good as buying — but I still plan to keep the pumpkins & jewelry! (At least for now.) #ichoosejoy #30daysofthanksgiving

Angels Unlimited!

I thought my main contribution to the Angels Unlimited Craft & Bake Sale at Goodrich UMC would be volunteer hours & the donation of about 8 loaves of Gene’s sourdough bread for the bake sale. The lure of pretty things changed that!! Haha!! I blame Becky for the pumpkins!! Some of these things need to become gifts, although I’d sure like to keep them!! #feelinggenerous #justasampling #angelsunlimited #ichoosejoy #30daysofthanksgiving

The state of the estate (sale)

 What an experience! 

Now what?

An anonymous star

It was a perfect role for me: starring in a musical where principles come before personalities. I thank God for the opportunity.