Overflowing Thankfulness

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. - Colossians 2:6-7



As I studied this passage, I wondered how do we become "overflowing with thankfulness?" I have never thought of my generation as one that is described this way. In fact, I would use the word, "spoiled," as a more accurate adjective for my age group. I know I'm pretty spoiled. I mean, I am thankful for my husband, for my kids, parents, my house, my car, my job. (I don't really get to call what I do a job because I love my work.)

But, I would not describe myself as "overflowing with thankfulness."

So, I thought it incumbant upon me to find out how to become so. I looked for some other references in God's word about thankfulness that could maybe help me understand how to be overflowing with thankfulness. (I love that phrase)

Romans 1:21 says this: "Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship Him as God or even give thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused."

If I am honest with myself, I can't tell you how many times I have tried to put God in a box and label it as I wanted Him to be, instead of being thankful for who He is and who He wants me to be.

1 Thes 5:18 says "Be thankful in all cirsumstances, for this is God's will for who you belong to Christ Jesus."

Umm, I think that really says it all. I heard a testimony a couple of weeks ago from a lady who is suffering with cancer. She made the statement that she had gone from the thinking ,"why me," to "why not me?" She is thankful for the opportunity to be a servant to God through her circumstances. Oh, to have that kind of faith! What a blessing to see it in action and to be a part of the family of God!

1 Tim 1:12 "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do His work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve Him."

In all areas of my life, God has somehow counted me worthy to serve Him and to do His work. As a wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, teacher, worshipper, follower, leader, whatever He calls me to do. Whether I feel equipped at the moment or not, He counts me worthy and has given me strength to serve Him. He counts us all worthy when we received Him. There is nothing special we have had to do to receive worth. We were worth enough to Him to give His life. From the knowledge of all of these things, I have "overflowing thankfulness."

Sweet Moment

Last night, my children and I read three books together at bedtime as we always do. I kissed them and told them to have a good night. I left the room to go to my own bed which was beckoning me as I have been ill.

As I crossed the house, I heard the quick pitter patter of little feet behind me and in a very excited and incredulous voice, my son said, "Mommy, you forgot to pray with us."

My heart was warmed and I was thankful for all of the people that teach my children about Jesus at church. I was thankful for how special it is for us to pray together at night.

Well, needless to say, I immediately went back into their rooms and we said our prayers, something I can't believe I forgot, but that I'm glad my son didn't.

Pray for Each Other

This prayer is in Colossians 1:9-14 is a great example of something that we can pray for each other.

9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

It is really an awesome thing when people begin to pray for one another. I don't mean just when there is tragedy or sickness. (Not that it is a bad thing to pray during those times.) But, praying for God to fill one another with the knowledge of His will through spiritual wisdom and understanding daily. Praying that we may all live lives worthy of the Lord. Praying that we may be strengthened with all power by his glorious might so that we can have endurance and patience. And, giving thanks to God joyfully because we will partake in an inheritance that we did not earn.

Pray for each other! God bless

Panama City Pops

I attended the Panama City Pops concert last night at the civic center and let me tell you, it was pretty cool.

They played all kinds of music from familiar favorites to a couple of pieces especially commissioned for Panama City's Centennial year entitled, "Music for Panama City," and "Emerald Jubilee."

It was really pretty cool to see a few of my friends playing in the PC Pops as well.

All in all, a great night out!

2008 measurements

2 1/2 Inches = the amount my children have grown collectively this year

Leaps and Bounds = the standard by which you can measure their changing look everyday.

Three = the number of teeth Taylor has lost this year!

Ten = the number of pounds they have gained collectively this year.

One = the number of clothing sizes Taylor and Christopher have increased this year.

Three = the number of clothing sizes Samantha has increased this year.

Three = the number of clothing sizes Mommy has dropped this year! (had to throw that one in there-worked hard on that)

One in a million = how I feel that my husband rates in greatness!

Immeasurable = the blessings God has given our family in 2008!

Here is wishing you and yours a Happy New Year! All the best in 2009 and beyond!

Where Oh Where Has the Little Time Gone?

Ok, so we've all heard the saying time flies when you are having fun many times. But, I sit here today, about to go and purchase a birthday gift for my youngest daughter who will turn 2 this coming Monday.

This is flooring me.

I savored each kick and hiccup during every one of my pregnancies.

From the first ultrasound to the moment the baby was born, and the doctor pronounced, "It's a girl," to now, when I am looking at my youngest, my little Sammie-P, running and talking and laughing and making new discoveries each moment as I type this, I can truly say time flies when you are having fun. Each bittersweet moment of this ride has been fun. I am also fully aware that we have only just begun this journey. Since our oldest, Taylor is only seven, I know that there are many joys, trials, ups and downs yet to come. But, as I ask where has the little time gone, I can truly say that I have savored each moment. I can say that I will savor each moment to come. Every hug, every kiss, every afternoon in the back yard playing hide-n-seek, they are all fleeting. They are all precious. As I look backward and forward, I am thankful. I am thankful for each beautiful moment that Earle, Taylor, Christopher and Samantha have brought into my life. I thank God for blessing me with you guys, and I could never ask for anything more.

Pumpkin Carving Fun and Halloween Adventures!

I love carving pumpkins with the family! Taylor is now old enough to punch out the pattern on her pumpkin and she really gets into it, which is really a lot of fun to watch. She likes to see how the pumpkin goes from just a pumpkin to something with a design on it, whether it be a face or a spider, or whatever! See the slide show in this post...

It has been an interesting journey as I think back to my first Halloween as a mom to this latest Halloween. My first Halloween as a mom was spent in the hospital with a one day old, four pound baby in the NICU. I remember my niece, Grace and nephews Jacob and Pierce(They were so young then) coming up to the hospital to visit. They saw Taylor through the NICU window and then came to my room in their costumes. It was very sweet. But, I remember at the time only being able to think about my child in the NICU and my doctor's orders that I was not to get out of the bed. It seemed like I was never going to get to see my baby!

That was seven years ago, but it seems like yesterday. I guess I said all this to say that all suffering is temporary. I look back on that, and while I was going through it, it felt like it would last forever, but two more babies and seven years later, I realize how short a time I really went through any difficulty, and how in spite of my physical and emotional trauma, I could feel the joy of having my first child. God blessed our family with a beautiful baby. She is happy and healthy, and, along with our other two children, is the joy of our life.