GRATEFUL GRATITUDES—Monday's Version

GRATEFUL GRATTTUDES

Gratitude List as I Look Ahead:

1. So blessed to have friends and family who feel close even when they are far away. Thankful for technology to keep us up-to-date with each other. Never at any other time in my life have I enjoyed interacting with so many. Grateful to renew old friendships through e-mail, facebook, blogs, and more.
   
2. Grateful for the legacy others have left behind even though they've gone on ahead. I get reminder flashbacks all the time. Special memories of Dad, grandparents, cousins, Mother-in-Love, and more. Today I saw a picture of an evergreen and candle centerpiece and had a flashback of the years Mom and Dad wired me this flower arrangement for a combination birthday/Christmas gift. It graced my table as I entertained various groups for the holidays. Such a special idea (Mom—thank you for making it happen!).
3. Love the gift of "anticipation." This is going to be a great week, and I can't wait to get this party started! Bible Study through Priscilla Shirer's Jonah study, Ladies Christmas Banquet, great clients to serve with projects to dream up, and more.
   
4. Grateful for the opportunity to help others. Anytime that happens, it makes me feel better inside and out. I need to be aware of even more of these opportunities and avail myself to them. Made a meal Saturday for a family, and even though I was feeling rough, it soothed the physical pain to know I was helping out a family in their time of need. It's possible it blessed me even more than it blessed them (especially since my cooking wasn't stellar!).
5. So glad for a helpful husband. Russ brought home a few groceries this afternoon. I wasn't even expecting it—he just did it. Enough for us to have a meal, and to have a few extras. Even my favorite diet soft drink—he noticed I was all out. What a guy!

"Developing a true attitude of gratitude means inviting our heavenly Father into every aspect of our lives—including thanking Him even in situations we don't like.

"Thank You, Father, for being with me."

"Thank You, Father, that somehow You will bring Your good out of this mess."

And, yes, it's okay for us to stay that with tears running down our cheeks. He understands our hearts. And we do not pray to air."

— Sandra Aldrich

Simple Little Words with Big Consequences

Title: Simple Little Words: What You Say Can Change a Life
Authors: Michelle Cox and John Perrodin
Publishing House: Honor Books, a division of David C. Cook
Retail: $14.99 (hardcover)
Web site: www.simplelittlewords.com.

I’ve always said that the playground lyrics, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” has it all wrong. Physical wounds heal, but being wounded by words can wound for life. Sometimes, all it takes to make a difference in the lives of others are simple words of affirmation. Authors Michelle Cox and John Perrodin have rounded up experiences from familiar names such as: novelist Karen Kingsbury, Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy, and Focus on the Family CEO Jim Daly, to name a few. Each story reflects on the power of encouraging words. Simple Little Words is jam-packed with over 40 true stories—from Christian writers, educators,songwriters, executives, Hollywood producers, and others. Just like I guessed on the playground as a child, little words can make a big difference!

The book shows that it is often what is said spontaneously, on an ordinary day that creates a life transformation needed for the hearer. Michelle shares a story from her childhood. “As a child from a dysfunctional home situation, I had no self-esteem and no self-confidence. On a class field trip one day, a classmate’s mom said, ‘You have the most beautiful green eyes I've ever seen.’ To her they were ten simple little words, but to a child who needed to hear there was something of beauty about her, they were life changing. This book is a beautiful reminder that our words are powerful tools.”

John explained the takeaway value of the book when he said, “I hope the reader sees that our time on this spinning orb is short. We don't know how many more opportunities we'll have to look a loved one in the eye and say ‘I'm sorry.’ That's the beauty of Simple Little Words. We're not asking anyone to make fancy speeches or write eloquent tomes. All we're asking is that they take the time to speak life, hope, and love to those around them.”

I highly recommend this book. In fact, buy several copies because you will want one copy to keep and others to give away to others. It has caused me to want to get in touch with those whose “simple little words” impacted my life in a big way. Some are no longer here on earth, so the only way I can express my gratitude is to pay it forward by sharing simple little words with others.

Kathy Carlton Willis loves fiddling with words as freelance author, publicist, copyeditor and more. Read more at her site, www.kathycarltonwillis.com/

February 8th

Russ's birthday was February 8th. His 46th celebration was a FIRST for him. He washed both cars in 87 degree weather, while wearing just a t-shirt, shorts, and flip flops! No other time in history have we lived somewhere with such warm temperatures on his birthday. Nor can we recall him getting a suntan on his birthday! Oh the life of living in the Rio Grande Valley!

While driving to dinner, we reflected back to all that has transpired over the past year. What a year! Lots of highs and lows, disappointments and victories, frustrations and excitations! The good news is that we came out the other end of that year with so many blessings for which to be grateful. We would have never chosen the path that happened this past year, but we sure do like the destination!

Thanksgiving-A Look Back

I continue to pinch myself and praise God for the direction our lives have taken over the past 15 months. I would have never DREAMED we would be where we are today last Thanksgiving. We've had several issues happen over the past year-circumstances that would fall into each of the "major stressors" categories. Illnesses, surgeries, betrayals, disappointments, being bullied, homelessness, joblessness, lack of direction, strange new surroundings, rejections...heartache of all kinds.

BUT GOD.

Through each trial, God has been faithful.
Through each trial, we have grown.
Through each trial, God's strength has been sufficient.
Through each trial, peace that supersedes all human understanding, permeates the heart and mind.
Through each trial, God reigns supreme.
Through each trial, my relationship with Jesus has been strengthened.

AND NOW.

A ministry with opportunities to use what God has been equipping us for all along.
A home with more square feet than our last eight dwelling places.
New friends to love, who love us back. Old friends who prove their loyalty.
God's networking to connect me to clients.

AND MORE.

Opportunities to pay it forward-to help others, using the resources with which God has entrusted us.
Womens Ministry as an open door for me to show ladies the love of God.
A new culture to learn and embrace.

So much for which to be thankful. The trials aren't over, but even still, we can testify...

WE ARE MOST BLESSED.