Every Monday this month, I am going to share with you one thing I am thankful for. In turn, I'd love to know one thing you are thankful for! I will have a link party at the end of the month if you have written a post about being thankful that you'd like to link up or you can write down something in the comments.
This month, let's be thankful even in the midst of trials and hard times. There is always something we can be thankful for. Here in the U.S. {hello to all my international followers} Thanksgiving Day was first celebrated as a way to thank the Lord for all that He had so graciously provided to the Pilgrims - even in the midst of all the trials and tribulations they faced - many died just getting to America and many more died when they got here. He gave them food to eat. And eat they did!
So, today I want to start off by telling you what I am thankful for. I'm thankful for my health. I have several friends who are unable to do things - normal things - because they suffer in constant pain and/or can't walk. I have small, insignificant "health" problems - I'm allergic to dairy and now soy, too. I've heard people gasp {literally} that I can't eat cheese and ice cream. But, I don't think it's all that bad, honestly.
Many of us take for granted that we can get up, pain free, everyday and put our shoes and socks on. We can run around and do lots of tasks all day long. We complain because we have so much laundry, cleaning, and kids' stuff to do - but we should be, in fact, THANKFUL that we have the ability to do this. That we can DO it. My friends and family, and they know who they are, cannot but they don't complain. Most of them see it as an opportunity to use their illness or pain to glorify God, not complain. Most of them have had to learn to humble themselves and accept a lot of help, as young women - YOUNG, like in their 20s, 30s and 40s! These aren't ladies who are at the "end of their lives" {which none of us know when that is}. These are friends that are MY age and younger, many with young children!
Take the time today to think about how you are thankful for your health. If you have bad health, think about how you can use that to help others - pray for them when you are in bed, accept the help that others give you {humbly}, and tell them what you need {because others WANT to help you}.
If you have great health, reach out to those who do not. Visit them at the hospital or home, call them, write them a note, bring them a meal, offer to clean their house or watch their children.
I have a wonderful website that our church uses for taking meals to others in need. It's called "Take them a Meal" and it's a website that does all the work for you - it ORGANIZES the whole thing. Say you have a friend who's had a baby or just had surgery. You want to do something for them. Well, you can easily set up meals for them for a set amount of days. This website I use all the time!! You go on there and it guides you through everything. Then, you send an email with the link to all of their friends {or your church family} asking to sign up. The website actually sends them a reminder, too. Plus you can see what others are bringing so you don't bring the same tuna casserole to them every night of the week. The website tells them what NOT to bring or what they are allergic to when you set it up, based on what you've asked your friend.
Many of us take for granted that we can get up, pain free, everyday and put our shoes and socks on. We can run around and do lots of tasks all day long. We complain because we have so much laundry, cleaning, and kids' stuff to do - but we should be, in fact, THANKFUL that we have the ability to do this. That we can DO it. My friends and family, and they know who they are, cannot but they don't complain. Most of them see it as an opportunity to use their illness or pain to glorify God, not complain. Most of them have had to learn to humble themselves and accept a lot of help, as young women - YOUNG, like in their 20s, 30s and 40s! These aren't ladies who are at the "end of their lives" {which none of us know when that is}. These are friends that are MY age and younger, many with young children!
Take the time today to think about how you are thankful for your health. If you have bad health, think about how you can use that to help others - pray for them when you are in bed, accept the help that others give you {humbly}, and tell them what you need {because others WANT to help you}.
If you have great health, reach out to those who do not. Visit them at the hospital or home, call them, write them a note, bring them a meal, offer to clean their house or watch their children.
I have a wonderful website that our church uses for taking meals to others in need. It's called "Take them a Meal" and it's a website that does all the work for you - it ORGANIZES the whole thing. Say you have a friend who's had a baby or just had surgery. You want to do something for them. Well, you can easily set up meals for them for a set amount of days. This website I use all the time!! You go on there and it guides you through everything. Then, you send an email with the link to all of their friends {or your church family} asking to sign up. The website actually sends them a reminder, too. Plus you can see what others are bringing so you don't bring the same tuna casserole to them every night of the week. The website tells them what NOT to bring or what they are allergic to when you set it up, based on what you've asked your friend.
So, what are you thankful for?
