Long Overdue Thanks

With all the recent talk on my blog about giveaways, I realized I have two very long overdue Thanks to share. 

Last month, I won two different giveaways just a couple of days apart!  First, a wonderful vinyl wall phrase  that reads "Every Day is a Gift" from As Time Goes By, a blog written by sisters Victoria & Christina.  I've wanted one of these for over a year, so you can imagine how happy I was to have won!  I'm still trying to decide exactly where I plan to place it (and since the whole house is due for a fresh painting...it will have to wait a little longer to actually go up on the wall!)  Thank you so much Victoria & Christina! 

If you enjoy thrifting/repurposing/decorating & photography (not to mention meeting really sweet ladies!), pay them a visit. Bet you'll like it, too!

A couple of days later, I was visiting TidyMom, a really fun blog devoted to baking, creating, mothering and yes, tidiness.  She was sharing a wonderful cherry dessert that was made in a heart-shaped pan.  At the end of her post, she mentioned that she was giving away several Wilton Heart-Shaped Pans.  I entered and lo and behold, I won there as well!  Thanks so much TidyMom! 

My initial plan was to make her dessert (or something similar) while using the pan.  I assumed I could  share my thanks AND a recipe, too!   Well...let's just say what resulted could only be described as an "epic failure."  (I really wish I would have taken a photo!  You would have gotten quite a kick out of it.)   For now, this photo I took before the baking fiasco will have to do. = )

Thanks again for two wonderful blessings and my apologies for such latecoming thanks!!  = ) 

I am Thankful...

Greetings! How does this Thanksgiving Eve find you? Sleep-deprived? Stressed? With a To-Do list longer than your arm? Oh friends, I know… My state of mind is a glorious mix of busy, tired, happy, frazzled, excited, but most of all…blessed. I’m looking forward to giving Thanks with my family even more than usual this year.

Amidst the craziness of “getting ready” with all its many tasks, I've been thinking on these blessings from the year...

* Celebrating 25 years of marriage in September, with my dearest friend.

* Unforgettable memories of our family vacation this summer.

* The joy of watching Brennan marry his long-time best friend, a young woman who absolutely adores him.

* The joy of welcoming the delightful (and quite loveable) Breezy “officially” into our family.

* The gift of yet another Thanksgiving with both sets of parents. We are incredibly blessed.

* Gratitude that my Dad’s work injury, though painful and difficult, didn’t result in paralysis or worse.

* Growing closer to my sister through some shared struggles.

* Faithful friends. Perhaps more than any other year, I’ve been acutely aware of the blessing of the encouragement, support and faithful prayers of friends, several of which I’ve met through blogging.

* The transition into a full-time position on September 1st. -- truly a gift from God. Not only that? I work for three of the kindest, most wonderful attorneys imaginable. Couldn’t ask for better... (Didn’t have to, God knew.) = )

Tomorrow as I prepare and enjoy the Thanksgiving meal with my family and in-laws, I’ll do so with an overwhelmingly grateful heart. God has been so good to my family and I.

I pray you have a wonderful time celebrating God’s goodness tomorrow, savoring the moments with your family and/or friends, and making some special new memories. Remember those who are alone and consider inviting them to be a part of your celebration.

I leave you with a simple, yet beautiful prayer, by Mary Fairchild:

Heavenly Father, on Thanksgiving Day
We bow our hearts to You and pray.
We give You thanks for all You've done
Especially for the gift of Jesus, your Son.
For beauty in nature, Your glory we see
For joy and health, friends and family,
For daily provision, Your mercy and care
These are the blessings You graciously share.
So today we offer this response of praise
With a promise to follow You all of our days.

Thanking God for YOU…
Tracy

Weigh-In Results...

I only have a minute. Just wanted to drop a quick note to let you know…I met my goal!!!! Praise God!!! In fact, not only did I meet the goal, but surpassed it by another pound! I’m giving glory to God because He’s helped me every step of this journey since its beginning back in September. Thank you for your sweet words of encouragement! They definitely helped give me a little extra push these last few days. I’ll share more soon about the journey but for now, I’m rejoicing! = )

One Wish for You - A Review and Giveaway

Recently, I was given an opportunity to review this lovely book by Celia Whitler. The moment I opened the package, I just knew I was in for a treat. One Wish for You is a book of gratitude and celebration. Think of all the women who have had an impact on your life. If given the opportunity to wish one thing on their behalf, what would you say? Celia Whitler answers this question beautifully amidst perfectly selected scripture and breathtaking photography.

As I read each page, God brought to mind a number of special women who had influenced my life. What an opportunity for praise! I finished this book with a heart overflowing with joy and thankfulness. Just in case that wasn't reason enough to love it, there is a CD tucked inside with music by the very talented author that continues to echo this theme. This would make a perfect Mother's Day gift for your Mom, or any woman who has helped to shape your life.

The publisher was kind enough to give me a copy of this book to pass along to one of you! All comments received on this post between now and Saturday evening at 5:00 pm (Eastern time), will be entered. I'll draw a winner sometime later Saturday evening. = ) Here's hoping you win!

Feeling your Prayers!

Just had to stop by to tell you how much I appreciate your kind prayers and encouraging words. First, they were able to do my surgery laparascopically (Hooray!) Today is a really great day! I have some soreness at the incision sites, but otherwise feel like my old self! I would have to agree with others who say recovery from this surgery isn't bad at all. My experience at the hospital could not have been better. I had the sweetest nurses and doctors anyone could ask for. Everyone was exceptionally kind. Since being home, I've had wonderful care from my hubby, flowers and treats dropped off by family and friends and lots of rest and relaxation. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart.

Overflowing with Thankfulness

I hadn't planned to post today. Like many of you, it's an especially busy time for me. However, I received a message this morning I simply had to share. (It may be just as much for me than for anyone else.) If you look below, you will see that just yesterday my Word-Filled Wednesday was Colossians 2:6-7. This morning as I opened this message, I immediately took note of its scriptural basis...Colossians 2:6-7. While some may call this coincidence, I know better. God's repeats are a call to take a second look, to see what I missed in this passage the first time. Maybe He intends a second look for some of you, too. Step away from your busy-ness for just a moment and hear His voice through this message.

Overflowing with Thankfulness
by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson

Colossians 2:6-7: "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness" (NIV)
~ ~ ~ ~
I hate organ recitals. Not pipe organs, especially, but this kind:

"How are you today, Gladys?"

"Terrible, just terrible. Did I tell you about my gall bladder acting up?"

"Yes, Gladys."

She doesn't seem to acknowledge my, "Yes," but launches into a full-scale report on gall bladders around the world, and hers in particular. When she sees my eyes beginning to glaze over, Gladys falters for a moment. She knows she has to switch gears quickly to keep me from nodding off.

"And I have this terrible skin rash that drives me so crazy that I can't sleep at night."

I am trying hard to be polite. "Oh, I'm sorry…."

I attempt to stop myself, but it is too late. The ill-fated word has crossed my lips -- "sorry" -- and now I have fed Gladys her first morsel of real food for the day. She seems to take new energy, and as she describes her itching, I begin to sense little crawling things in my scalp. I unconsciously reach up to scratch my head, but nothing gets by Gladys. Oh, that's the first sign…." she begins.

You've met Gladys, haven't you? It might be a different name. Gladys goes under a number of aliases and dons many disguises. But it's the same complaining, self-centered woman.

Too often, however, I meet Gladys in me. I want people to sympathize with me, so when something is going wrong (and when doesn't it?) I begin to complain. The 49ers are having a bad season. The morals of our nation are terrible. The election was depressing. My spouse is in a bad mood. It doesn't have to dwell on the interior plumbing of a sick Gladys. Normal complaining comes all too easily to my lips.

So when I read Colossians 2:6-7 it hits home. The phrase, "overflowing with thankfulness," begins to repeat itself over and over in my mind.

"Overflowing" -- "abounding," some translations say -- brings the mental picture of the Thanksgiving cornucopia spilling out an abundant harvest blessing. Jesus said, "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." What is in my heart? Complaining? Selfishness? Pride? -- or Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is the mark of a Christian, because thanksgiving points out and up while my complaining points only back to me and feeds my pride and dissatisfaction. Thanksgiving towards God and man fits the Great Commandment like a glove, to love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. What better vehicle than thankfulness to express love?

The Pillsbury Doughboy® has that endearing quality that when you poke him he doesn't flare up but automatically responds with a friendly, perky, "Oh!" I want to be like him. Not so plump, mind you, but that full of friendliness. When someone pokes me I want my first instinct to be thankfulness rather than anger. I want people to find thankfulness oozing out of me. I want thanksgiving to mark my conversation and manner. I want to abound with it, be full of it. I want to overflow with thankfulness.

How about you?

Thankful Thursday

Good morning,

First, I want to thank Iris for faithfully providing us the opportunity to share our thankful hearts each week. What a blessing it has been, and continues to be. I understand this sweet sister has a birthday this weekend…Happy Birthday Iris! ☺ We’re so thankful for you!

Today also finds me thankful for…

♥ The hope and promise we have in Christ. As we’ve spent time with Karen’s immediate family, we’ve been able to encourage a number of them with God’s word. Her family is a very musical one, so we knew songs like “With Hope” by Steven Curtis Chapman “Homesick” by MercyMe and others would be especially encouraging, so we’ve shared those with them over the past few days, as well. In our conversations, several of them told us they struggle with things of faith, yet they were so grateful to be reminded of what God promises for His children, because Karen had that faith. It is our prayer that they too will come to embrace or restore their faith in Christ through this loss.

♥ The Holy Spirit. Tom and I have been more aware than usual of His presence throughout the past few days. You could undoubtedly sense Him in her room during prayer, and we have felt His promptings and guidance in many of our interactions and conversations.

♥ Your faithful prayers and kind friendship. What an encouragement you’ve been! Karen’s sister, MaryBeth, told me she knows it is the prayers of friends and family that are sustaining them right now, and will continue to in the time to come. Thank you for being willing to pray not only for their family, but for lifting us, as well. It means more than I can adequately express.

♥ The eight people who will benefit from Karen’s loss through organs she donated. What a gift to pass along! She was a registered dietician, so she understood the importance of eating healthy and exercising, so her organs are likely very healthy ones. I always thought I wanted to be an organ donor, but having a better understanding of the process has confirmed it. (I hope you too will think about it. If it's something you would like to do, tell someone close to you and indicate your wishes on your driver's license.)

May this Thursday find you thankful…
Tracy

To read what other thankful hearts are saying, join us at Sting my Heart.

Thankful Thursday!

As you can imagine, after Sunday’s windstorm I am so very thankful this week…

♥ First, that our damage was truly minimal. I’m especially grateful none of the trees surrounding our home came down. There are so many in our area who lost very old, large trees and many suffered substantial damage to their homes. There were a number of people who died as a result of fallen trees or power lines. The husband of a good friend narrowly missed being hit by a falling utility pole while driving their van on Sunday.

♥ That our power was restored by Monday night! You really don’t know just how much you utilize electricity until you don’t have it. I truly have a new appreciation this week for lights, my appliances, computer, tv, air conditioning, etc. I still have several co-workers and extended family without power.

♥ The weather since the storm has been absolutely beautiful, and there is no rain in the forecast until early next week! This has been and will continue to be a huge help to the linemen working to restore power, as well as the contractors trying to repair home and roof damage.

♥ That we were able to call on linemen from North and South Carolina to assist our crews in repairing downed lines, replace transformers/utility poles and restore power. They’re still working around the clock to get power back for the remaining residents (about 200,000).

♥ The opportunities for service this has provided. One local ministry gave out thousands of bags of ice. Several churches have provided dinners for those in the community without power. I’ve also heard of those who have grilled what was left in their freezer and shared it with friends and neighbors. I was able to talk with many co-workers and offer to have them in our home either to stay, to take showers, etc. I offered to do laundry or anything they might need. Most importantly, I was able to encourage them and let them know I would pray for them. I believe God was planting some seeds through those conversations.

♥ That I have an even greater understanding and compassion toward those who endure hurricanes year after year.

♥ That my fridge and freezer haven’t been this clean since they were new. ☺

♥ That I now have the opportunity to be a bit more prepared next time!

Please continue to pray for those affected in any way by these last few hurricanes.

May this Thursday find you thankful!
Tracy

To read other Thankful Thursday posts, join us at Sting my Heart.

Thankful Thursday

Today, my heart is overwhelmed with thanks and love for you. My blog and e-mail inbox has been flooded with kind words, prayer and encouraging scriptures, since sharing our need earlier this week. Quite a number of them came from those who were introducing themselves for the first time! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, God is so good to me through you! My husband, who didn’t even know yet about the post (or your many kind words) even expressed he now has peace. This is not to say there won’t be many tears as we say good-bye, or some difficult days, but that dread and heart heaviness we were both feeling has lifted. I feel certain your prayers helped us through the period of “Acceptance.”

You must also know my heart is so grateful that in the most important of all ways, Brennan is ready for this. That’s huge! He may forget some of what we've taught him about doing laundry, or balancing a checking, but his heart for God has never been stronger or more prepared. His passion is a joy to see. Throughout his young life, he has seen God do some amazing things, so He places no limits on Him (that I and many others are sometimes inclined to do). He has some God-sized dreams that he awaits with much hope. Tom and I pray God will use him greatly, and believe with all our hearts that He will. Words can’t even express the joy and peace that gives.

Once again, many thanks…for your love, friendship, prayers and encouragement. "For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers."
~Ephesians 1:15-16

Hugs,
Tracy

To read other Thankful Thursday posts, join us at Sting my Heart.

Thankful Thurdsay!

Greetings to you on this Thursday morning! This week finds me thankful for…

♥ Millie's continued improvement. She told me 4th of July was the first day she had NO pain in her leg for the first time since mid-May! The home care nurse still comes each day, but the wound is definitely healing. The nurse told her not to get her hopes up…that she still may need surgery because there is still a blockage. She sees her doctor tomorrow. I told her we would continue to pray!

♥ relief for my son. He started working in early May for my brother-in-law’s commercial landscape and lawn care company. He was one of only three employees (including my brother-in-law). The business is doing very well, which meant many 12-15 hour workdays…hard workdays in the sun and heat. In the last week, my brother-in-law has hired three additional employees, which has made a world of difference! Instead of getting home at 9 or 10:00 at night, my son has been home by 5 or 6:00 (in time for dinner)! What a blessing!

♥the wonderfully relaxing holiday weekend! I spent lots of time just resting and hanging out with my hubby and son. In between the resting, I was able to get caught up on a number of organizational chores around the house, and that always brings me peace.

♥ A successful wrap-up on Tuesday of “He Speaks to Me,” our current office Bible study. We all agree is has been one of our most impacting studies…ever! (I highly recommend it!) Though a smaller group of ladies have taken part in this study, God is building some beautiful relationships through this smaller, more intimate group.

♥ The news of the birth of Katherine Lily "Kate" Jones, daughter of our precious friends (and former youth pastor) Mark and Andrea Jones, now missionaries to Ireland. Andrea’s last pregnancy ended in a miscarriage, so this was especially sweet. Click here if you’d like to read Andrea’s post on their blog about this blessed event.

♥ As always, this week also finds me thankful for you, my blog sisters! It never ceases to amaze me the outpouring of blessings I receive daily from you!

May this Thursday find you thankful…
Tracy

To read other Thankful Thursday posts, join us at Sting my Heart.

Thankful Thursday

I'm excited to share these things for which I am thankful on this Thursday...

♥ Praising God that my precious nephew, Blake has been given the opportunity to travel with The Academy of Arts for the summer ministering through drama…not only is he willing, he is thrilled! I’m also thankful my sister and brother-in-law (after much prayer) have decided to let him go…(he’s only 14). They leave very early Saturday for South Carolina and he won’t return home until August 12th. Our whole family was together this past weekend for my niece’s birthday and also to say farewell to Blake . At one point in the evening, we all surrounded him and my husband prayed, asking for God’s blessing, provision, safety, and also for those who will be seeing these powerful plays. In addition, he prayed for his Mom, Dad and siblings who will miss him greatly. What a blessing to be able to do that as a family!

♥ Praising God that mid-morning YESTERDAY our Youth Pastor finally received word all the visas for a missions trip to Brazil were approved! 15 kids from our youth group and 4 adults leave THIS MORNING. Although it was literally down to the wire…we all know truly it was God’s perfect timing. (Another youth group that was to precede ours went through all the same steps our kids had, yet their visas were ultimately denied.) Can’t wait to see what God does through these kids!

♥ Praising God that this week, I learned of yet another co-worker who is interested in our office Bible Study. She’ll be joining us beginning with our next study!

May this Thursday find you thankful…
Tracy

To read other Thankful Thursday posts, join us at Sting my Heart.

Happy Thankful Thursday!

I plan to honor my Mom in a Mother's Day Post, but also want to take a moment to thank God for her and some other special Moms today, as well.

♥ I thank God for my precious “Momma.” A preacher’s daughter and one of 11 children, she is one of the sweetest women who ever lived. She and I always celebrate Mother’s Day a day early. We’ll be having breakfast together on Saturday morning and will then spend much of the day together. It’s always a special time.

♥ I thank God for Millie, the Mom I inherited when I married Tom. In her mid-to-late 80’s (no one knows for sure because she won’t tell!), she is such a character! She and I have always gotten along beautifully and I love her dearly.

♥ I thank God for the biological Mom who carried my husband Tom, and then selflessly gave him up for adoption as an infant back in 1957. I doubt a Mother’s Day goes by that she doesn’t think of him.

♥ I thank God that Tom and I still have our Moms in this life to celebrate. What a blessing.

♥ I thank God for “Aunt Helen.” Though never able to have children of her own, she adored and practically helped raise my husband Tom and his two sisters. When I came along, she was one of the first to embrace me and make me feel a part of the family. We love her like another Mom.

♥ I thank God for the privilege of being a Mom, specifically of being Brennan’s Mom. The blessings God has granted me through him are immeasurable. My heart overflows with joy.

And now, a few additional praises we’ve been celebrating recently in our house…

♥ The birth of a beautiful, healthy baby girl to my dear cousin, Beth. She’ll make a wonderful Mom and I’m so happy for her! It makes me smile to think of her celebrating her own first Mother’s Day!

♥ The engagement of two very precious and Godly friends, Noah and Nicole. Noah just left earlier this week for a six month missions trip to Australia. Nicole will be planning their November wedding while he’s away. It is such a joy to see a couple so very much in love! Can’t wait to see how God uses them as husband and wife!

♥ With the completion of one last exam this morning, my son will be officially finished with his freshman year of college!

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever. ~Psalms 136:1 (NLT)

May this Thursday find you thankful...
Tracy

P.S. Thanks Sweetie! God spoke to me through your words this morning.

To read other Thankful Thursday posts, join us at Sting my Heart.

Thankful Thursday

As promised last week, I want to share thankfulness today for The Academy of Arts, a wonderful and unique ministry headquartered near Greenville, SC. Since 1971, it has been their mission to bring the Bible to life through drama. They’ve written many outstanding plays and musicals, often based on the lives of Biblical figures like Joseph or Paul, or heroes of the faith like William Tyndale, who first translated the Bible into other languages, or the first missionary, Adoniram Judson. The plays are always rich with strong Christian principals, and like a good sermon, are designed to make you think, and prompt you to action. The Academy works with schools and with home school groups all over the country who don’t have the benefit of their own Drama or Theatre department.

The process begins several months before “play week,” when a particular play is chosen. The school holds try-outs and casts the parts. Scripts are sent from the Academy and students begin memorizing their lines and rehearsing. On the Sunday evening preceding the performance, the Academy of Arts team arrives on the scene with props, stage sets, costumes, make-up, theatrical lighting, professional sound system (and anything else you’d need for a top notch performance).

“Play Week” begins first thing Monday morning. For that one week, regular classes are suspended and the intensive work begins -- all day, each day, with a full dress rehearsal on Thursday evening. This culminates into a performance on Friday night and sometimes Saturday as well. Students are taught and utilized in every aspect of putting on the performance. Some of course, have parts in the play while others work to create or update props, work with costumes, lighting, makeup, etc.

This may sound like an easy week, but I assure you, nothing could be further from the truth. Instead, what often happens is a mini revival breaks out! That’s because the Academy is about so much more than putting on a play, or even putting on a Christian play. By the time they arrive, they have put an immense amount of planning, preparation and most importantly, prayer into each week-long seminar. They want to fully equip the kids who will play the parts, so that God will speak through them (and to them) in the process. Interwoven into all the preparations for the play are intensive devotional messages each day that impact and challenge the kids greatly. I can tell you firsthand The Academy has had a profound impact on the life of my son, and countless other students we know.

As they travel throughout the school year conducting seminars in various schools, they are also looking for potential summer drama team members. Interestingly, they aren’t seeking the “most talented” performers. Instead, they look for students who are standouts among their peers because of their faith, those with humble hearts and who love to serve. Out of thousands of kids they see throughout the year, only 40 are selected for their summer drama teams. These students give up their own summer plans to travel on a team and minister through drama.

They report to South Carolina the first week of June, and spend two intensive weeks in “training camp,” learning and rehearsing their play, building their sets, etc. Then, the tours begin. Three teams (Midwest, Eastern and Southern) then depart for their respective tours where they remain until the second week of August, when all the teams return. The teams (ranging in size from 10-15 members) spend every day together, traveling and performing, from one city to the next, all summer long. It is a humbling, challenging, faith-strengthening, character-building, yet completely amazing experience. I know this because my son has had the privilege of traveling with them three different summers. By the end of each tour, the teams have become a family, and leaving to return home is always very hard. The experience of traveling on summer drama teams -- ministering, helping to bring people to Christ, staying in host homes and experiencing the Lord’s protection and provision for their needs is life-changing. The relationships my son has with his former teammates run so deep, he cherishes any opportunity to get together with them, when they are ministering in the area, or even just traveling through in remotely close proximity.

It is for this reason it’s such a joy to host these kids when they’re in town, like a couple of weeks back when they were here conducting a seminar for my son’s former high school. As my son has adopted them as siblings, so too my husband and I have adopted them as our kids. They, and the Academy of Arts hold an enormous place in our hearts, and today I want to offer special thanks and praise to the Lord for them.

To see other Thankful Thursday posts, join us at Sting my Heart.

May this Thursday find you thankful…
Tracy

P.S. If you’re interested in talking with the Academy about working with your school or home school group, or if your church would be interested in hosting a summer drama team performance, please see the website for contact information.

Thankful Thursday

Today, I had planned to share my thankfulness for a particular ministry that is near and dear to my heart and the heart of my family. If you'll oblige me, however...I'll share that next time.

Instead, today, I want to express thanks for my son. He has been blessed with the gift of expression his entire life -- in drama, in music and through his writing. It was around middle school that he began writing poetry and song lyrics. In the last couple of years, his writing has increased in frequency and taken various forms...thoughts, observations, poetry, screenplays and various ponderings, often raw and with stunning depth.

I'm quite a simple person. My "deep thoughts" aren't too incredibly deep, which is why I'm so blessed by the gift of my son's perspective. God continuously challenges me through his life, his observations and his passionate example.

He told me last night he started a blog called Paradox Ponderings. In his first post, he reflects on an awakening God gave him last year (January '07) at the Passion conference in Atlanta through a message by John Piper. He was half-way through his senior year at the time, just a couple of weeks shy of his 18th birthday. This was one of several encounters with God he was privileged to take part in that week. I remember when he came home, he could not stop talking about all he had learned and experienced. I was overwhelmed with praise and gratitude. Having seen (since then) the ways God continues to fuel, and shape and mold my son gives my heart reason to rejoice and thank Him all over again today. If time permits, please check out his blog. (Thanks!)

To see other Thankful Thursday posts, join us at Sting my Heart.

May this Thursday find you Thankful...
Tracy

Worth the Wait

I’ve wanted one for years. I mean seriously…years! It was one of those silly wants I had never shared with anyone, because for me personally, it always seemed a bit extravagant. Upon occasion, I’d see them in the department store circulars, but even on “sale,” the price was too high. Maybe someday, I’d think. While Christmas shopping a couple of years ago, I saw a man (with two little ones in tow) buying one for his wife. The oldest, a little girl, was giddy with excitement. She could hardly hold still as he waited to pay. I remember she kept saying to her Daddy, "Mommy’s going to be SOOOOO HAPPY!!!" I had to admit as I watched her -- I was even excited for her Mommy, because on Christmas morning, she’d be opening a beautiful, brand new, sparkling white Kitchen Aid mixer.

Haven’t we all had things we wanted (sometimes for a long time), but the cost was too high? We eventually let it go and move on, only to find it later, on sale, or through any manner of circumstances, maybe even falling into our lap…free?

A friend of mine recently asked me…"Hey, do you do much baking?" I told her, "At this time of year…not too much…why?" "Just wondering," she said "I have a Kitchen Aid mixer that I received as a gift a while back and I’ve never used it. It’s just taking up space and I’d love to find someone who might want it." I felt my stomach do a little flip. I said, "How much are you asking for it?" She said, "Nothing, it was a gift." I said, "Are you kidding me? Why not sell it?" She wouldn’t hear of it. I continued, "You could list it on e-bay…put it in a yard sale…sell it in the classifieds. Do you know how much that’s worth!?" She was well aware of its worth, but because it hadn’t cost her anything, she refused to sell it. Instead, she wanted to give it, and she was asking me! When I told her I didn’t feel comfortable accepting something so costly, she just laughed and said "Oh c’mon…don’t be silly! I’d love for you to have it." We hadn’t talked about it for a few days but sure enough, this afternoon our doorbell rang, and there she stood with that beautiful, nearly new, sparkling white Kitchen Aid mixer. As soon as she placed it in my arms, she was quickly on her way (no doubt in an effort to escape before I tried to pay her something for it). Unbelievable.

This isn’t the first time God has provided something I’ve long desired. He’s provided many, both great and small, and I never fail to marvel at the means by which he does it. It could be for this reason that I so enjoy giving gifts to others, even moreso when I know it’s something they really want. What a privilege God often gives us to be the bearers of His blessings! The joy I feel when God fulfills a secret longing of my heart, reminds me of the very personal nature of His love. And that never ceases to amaze me.

Now, when I use that mixer, instead of feeling guilty or indulgent for buying or asking for it, I’ll smile and think of Him and how He’s blessed me once again -- this time through the kindness of a friend. And like so many other "gifts" He’s provided to me, I’ll know…it was worth the wait.

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. ~ James 1:17 (NASB)

Thankful Thursday!

This is my first time participating in Thankful Thursday. What a great idea! This week, I have much to be thankful for…

♥ My precious hubby, Tom. In the ebb and flow of many years of marriage, we’re in an especially sweet season right now (despite many potential stress-factors) and I’m loving every moment of it. Thank you, Lord for the countless ways Tom shows his love for me. I'm incredibly blessed.

♥ God presented two huge opportunities for my son to share his faith this week on his college campus and praise God, he jumped at the chance! On Monday, after a lecture, he stayed after class to talk to his Biology professor about his faith. Yesterday, there was a large Pro-Life rally taking place. Not far from there, he noticed a small Pro-Choice display. He approached the person working there. He engaged in a conversation and was able to share and debate in a very kind, respectful way. Our prayer is that he gave that person some new insights to consider. Thank you Lord, for presenting these opportunities to my son, and for his courage and obedience to your promptings. (I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
~3 John 1:4)

♥ This week, we’re hosting three great guys in our home. They are serving nearby with the Academy of Arts, a ministry we love. Our son has taken summer-long mission trips with two of the three guys, and he loves them like brothers. We think the world of all of them and absolutely love having them here. Thank you Lord, for letting me experience “big family life” this week, and for seeing the joy their presence brings to my son.

♥ The inspiring beauty of Spring…everything is blooming! Thank you Lord, for this amazing season of renewal.

♥ Today is the last day of a very challenging project I've been on since late February (Can you hear that Hallelujah chorus in the background??) Thank you Lord, for humbling and strengthening me through this process.

♥ The safe return of a friend’s daughter from her deployment in Iraq. Thank you Lord, for your protection of this Mommy, daughter, sister & friend.

and finally…

♥ For new friends I’m making in Blogworld! Thank you Lord, for the encouraging words and lessons learned through “sisters” I’ve never met face-to-face.

The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy…~ Psalm 126:3

May this Thursday find you blessed...
Tracy