Daily Gratitude

Dear Children,

   I'm so grateful for the amazing Love you have opened up in my Life. I hope you will take a few moments each day to give thanks for all the Blessings  we have. For laughter... and healthy(ish) bodies... and the food we are blessed with... for our humble little home. 

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Ephesians 5: 18-20

An Attitude of Gratitude

The 23rd Psalm - a classic reminder of how much we have to be grateful for!

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Bless The Lord

Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul. Psalm 103:20-22

Welcome with joy each week the day that God has called His day.

To each day of the week God has given its special mission, its share of pleasure and of pain, necessary to purify and fortify and prepare us for eternity.

On Saturday we lay aside our garments faded and stained by toil, and on Sunday we array ourselves in garments, not only fresher, but more choice and graceful.

Why not prepare the heart, even as we do the body?

During the week has not the heart been wearied with petty strife and discontent, interests marred, bitter words?

Then, why not shake off all this, that only chills affection? On the Saturday let us forgive freely, press the hand warmly, embrace each other; and then peace being restored within, we await the morrow's awakening.

Sunday is God's day of truce for all. That day, laying aside all revenge and ill-feeling, we must be filled with forbearance, indulgence, and amiability.

Oh! how good for us to feel Sunday is a day of Love.

Enjoy Life's Blessings

The 23rd Psalm is probably one of the most often quoted bits from the Bible. It can serve to remind us to take time to appreciate some of life's many blessings. A walk through the park or by a river or stream. Life's ups and downs don't have to be tackled alone. Keep the Good Lord in your thoughts - and actions.

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever." Psalms 23

Blessings

He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them -
"Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me." Mark 9: 36-37

People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10: 13-16

Go, then, return to thy daily toil; be silent, humble, resigned, charitable; then return to the Lord with a heart yet more loving and devoted, and He shall have fresh blessings for thee!

From 3rd Grade to College

“I’m practically in college, you know - I’m in the 3rd grade now, Daddy!” he reminded me as we drove home last night. He wants to grow up so fast. Just 12 hours earlier I had dropped him off in front of the school for his 1st day of this new school year. And once again, I found myself fighting back tears as I offered a quick prayer of Thanks for the greatest gift the Good Lord has blessed me with – a son!

Slow down the bus – Didn’t I just last week watch his kindergarten graduation ceremony? Wasn’t I just filling a sippy-cup with his favorite orange drink the week before? I swear I picked up a diaper from a corner of his bedroom just last month!

Where did those years go? Why must his childhood fly by so quickly? Later, as we settled into a big chair together for some reading, he handed me the book he’d picked out for the evening. A book about dinosaurs and a magic bus. His fascination with dinosaurs has outlasted Barney ( Thank the Good Lord ), The Wiggles, and the Power Rangers ( a triple Thanks to the Big Guy upstairs ).

I know our reading time together will someday – far too soon for my liking – be yet another pleasant memory. Meanwhile, I hope I can instill in him a love of reading and a yearning for more. I hope he will always have a fascination with something! I hope we can sit down together and do his homework for the evening without even the slightest objection or complaint. I hope he will settle into a habit of studying a little each day. Of reading and writing a little each day.

I hope he will grow to accept daily homework as a normal part of growing up. I hope he will succeed at learning whatever sparks an interest in that wonderful little mind of his. If your little one is just embarking upon his or her journey in education you might enjoy some simple and easy homework tips!