“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

GRATITUDES

1. Kind & thoughtful words in the card I received yesterday from a friend

2. A few moments to slow down, eat lunch and talk with friends at work

3. Harvest Festival today at school-first time in three years

4. Sweet smell of my candle burning

5. Quiet, devotion time

The above list is my gratitude list from today. I spend a few minutes each morning reflecting and listing 5 simple things for which I am grateful. I began this practice many years ago at a time when I was allowing stress to make me sick. Who would have thought that such a simple task could help me so much. Taking the time to look for small gratitudes has allowed me to be more in tune to blessings as my day proceeds. It also affords me new perspectives.

Today’s scripture directs us to give thanks in all circumstances. Being in the habit of listing small, specific gratitudes has given me a new perspective on how to give thanks in all circumstances. No matter how difficult my struggles or challenges, I have learned there is also always something for which I can be thankful.

This Thankful Thursday I encourage you to slow down for a few moments and list 5 gratitudes. Don’t list the obvious like family, friends, job, etc. Instead, intentionally look for smaller, more unique blessings from yesterday or today. I trust that in practicing gratitude today, your mood will be lifted, your perspective may change, and you will be more in tune with the blessings of today.

““Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a musty cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭MSG‬‬

This picture of my dog Abby was taken Monday evening. I chuckle every time I look at it. She had followed me around all evening and was ready for me to sit down so she could lay on my lap. As you can see, she was so tired she could barely keep her eyes open. Since the picture was taken I have been pondering how sometimes we also walk around with our eyes squinted in life. Therefore let’s call today Wide Open Eyes Wednesday.

Do you sometimes find yourself rushing through life, from one task to the other, not really paying attention to all that’s around you? Are you in tune to the wonder and beauty of each moment? Are your eyes squinted as you focus on accomplishment each item in your to do list?

Today be intentional to keep your eyes wide open. As you approach each task, look around at the “wonder and belief” around you. Take deep breath’s throughout the day and soak in the light of life all around. Don’t “pull the blinds on your windows.” Instead, keep your eyes wide open and allow your body to be filled up with His light!

“The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.” Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭38‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today’s featured photo, taken by Ray White, is an enigma. Ray found this object washed up on the beach shore. What exactly is it? Where has it been? What has it been through to bring it to this place? I bet if it could talk, it would have a story to tell!

Sunday in his sermon, our pastor Charles Wilbanks, reminded us that when we go through difficulties we have the opportunity to testify to others. Let’s call today Testify Tuesday. Today’s scripture is an example of just that. The demon possessed man had lived a life of torture and exile until the day he had a face-to-face encounter with Christ and was healed. Jesus told him “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” Jesus commanded him to testify to others.

Likewise, Julie shared with us last week the difficult journey she has been traveling the last 3 years with her health. All the while she was walking those difficult steps, Jesus was walking beside her, giving her strength, guidance and direction. Julie is using this area of trouble to testify of God’s love, grace, and mercy.

What about you? What season of difficulty have you had to walk? What area of your life has been challenging? How has God shown off in your journey?

Like the unknown object in today’s photo, you have a story to tell. Spend time today praying about how God has prepared you to be a vessel of His message. Then go out and testify and “tell how much God has done for you.”

Click here to listen to “My Testimony” by Elevation Worship.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,”. Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today’s picture inspires me to ponder the hard work necessary to accomplish a goal. Today’s picture represents lots of planning and attention. Do you have a goal you are working towards? Are you focused on God as you work? Are you committed to the hard work ahead?

This Mindset Monday, allow today’s scripture to guide your focus. Making a plan and focusing your attention is half the battle. Spend some time this morning prioritizing your steps and focusing your attention. Then step into your Monday with the mindset needed to win the day!

“Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb. I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day.” Psalm‬ ‭139‬:‭13‬-‭16‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Today is one of those days that the temperature is predicted to fall as the day progresses. Today is one of those days that reminds me of the changing of seasons and the passage of time. Today is also Spiritual Sunday and as I think of time ticking on, I am reminded of God’s steady presence in my life.

Days like today put me in a mood of reflection. I encourage you to do the same as you worship today. How have you felt God’s presence over time? When did God show off? What situations did God use to strengthen your relationship with Him?

Click here and listen to “God of All My Days” by Casting Crowns. Allow the lyrics to guide your thoughts this Spiritual Sunday and may you be reminded of the ever present God in your life.

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Click the link, My Journey and join me for See You Saturday.

Each day has be something different about my HPV journey. If you missed one, I encourage you to go back and read;

Sunday’s post, Story Sunday

Monday’s post, Mindset Monday

Tuesday’s post, Transform Me In The Process

Wednesday’s post, Walk With God Wednesday

Thursday’s post, Trust Thursday

Friday, Finish Friday

“So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.”
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭50‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Can you imagine David showing up to a fight with a sling and stone? This is such a great backstory to our stories. God is always showing up and equipping us for whatever we are facing. On this Finish Friday, I encourage us all to face the day with courage knowing God is on our side. The song, Fear is a Liar by Zach Williams reminds us that the Devil is always trying to tell us differently. What the Devil doesn’t know is that we have a rock and a sling in our pockets.

As most of you know by now, I have been sharing my HPV journey. Today is surgery day. At 8:00 am EST, I will have a Hysterectomy. I’ve had the last four months to mentally, physically, and spiritually prepare for today. It is no different than training. Life isn’t a 5k, it is a Marathon. Today is just another race.

Each day has been something different about my journey. Today I am a little anxious because it has also been four months since my last biopsy. It can take up to a decade for HPV to turn into cancer. Mine as been more aggressive so I am at a higher risk. I ask that you all sing a prayer over me and my medical team with In Jesus Name by Katy Nichole. “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalms‬ ‭118‬:‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Look at the stats from CDC.gov, every year in the United States.

• Nearly 200,000 women are diagnosed with a cervical precancer
• 11,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer caused by HPV
• Over 4,000 women die from cervical cancer

If you missed a day to my story, I encourage you to go back and read starting with Sunday;

Sunday’s post, Story Sunday

Monday’s post, Mindset Monday

Tuesday’s post, Transform Me In The Process

Wednesday’s post, Walk With God Wednesday

Thursday’s post, Trust Thursday