Category Archives: 365 Moments of Gratitude

Through this personal look at life, I will be sharing gratitude where gratitude is due, and in places often neglected. It is my goal to make you think. It is my hope that you will take the time to think about the things we sometimes take for granted, but in some instances, things we cannot live without. I invite you to share your own stories of gratitude either through contacting me, or by leaving a comment.

Jan16

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful For Weight Loss Accountability

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I am thankful for accountability – in whatever form or shape it takes. With regards to weight loss, I find that I do much better with the accountability factor. I think it’s like that for most people.

This month, I have started in a local weight loss challenge: Winter 2013 Biggest Loser. For the next eight weeks, I will continue the path I have already chosen. I am eating healthier, drinking mostly water, and being more active. It will go beyond the eight weeks, but for the scope of the challenge, I’m just sharing my thoughts on right now.

Even if I don’t win (which obviously I hope I do – there is a monetary prize) the accountability alone will continue to be worth it’s weight in gold.

If you are struggling with weight loss, I urge you to find someone (or a group) to be accountable to. It does make a difference. I will try and update each week on how my Biggest Loser challenge is going. Along with finding an accountability partner, I suggest you take small steps. You need to make better / healthier decisions. You don’t have to starve yourself to be healthy. You can cut certain things (caffeine, carbonation, excess sweets, etc) and those alone will make an enormous difference. Give it a try? You’ve got nothing (except weight) to lose!

I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to comment below, or send me a message via my “contact me” page.

Jan15

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful for Organic Bamboo Velour

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It’s true. I am thankful for fabric. Not just any fabric though, but Organic Bamboo Velour (OBV). If you’ve never felt it, you should. It’s soft and cuddly. More than that, it’s cozy and warm!

I have an adult size “baby blankie” made courtesy of a good friend. (I’ll do a separate blog post about her a different time. Let’s just say – she’s amazing.)

This blanket is a necessity around here – especially in these cold days/nights.

So, do you have a nice warm blanket you just can’t live without? I know I do now!

Jan14

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful For Good Results

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Today was my appointment to go over the results of the tumor removal, as well as to have the stitches removed.

First, I cannot tell you how happy I was to have those removed. To hear I didn’t heal properly, and that my body clearly didn’t like sutures wasn’t awesome, but paled in comparison to the news that came next.

It was good, no make that great news. Though there was concern, it was a benign / non-cancerous tumor – officially noted to be a lipoma.

I could go on and on – but sums it all up to just say I’m grateful to a God larger than life for having me (and my health) in the palm of His hand – and for me to be able to hear the good report from my doctor this morning.

I will restate something I’ve said before, and will likely say again. God is faithful 100% of the time – it’s just whether or not we choose to believe that!

Jan13

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful for God’s Provision

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More than any other time in my life, I am thankful to God for His provision. He is providing in and for every area of my life – my marriage, my health, my finances, my family, etc.

Today after church, our family went out to eat. My husband and I were discussing the church service. I was sharing with him about a family I know who has seen God’s provision in a big way. This family shared with me something very special. Through some pretty unsure times, God gave them a dream, and then provided for them to make it a reality. I told him (my husband) that I had the same level of faith, for a very similar situation in our lives.

It was almost as if God had a sense of humor mixed with teaching a lesson. He needed me to know that He indeed IS our provider. I had absolutely no idea that there were some friends of mine from church dining at the same place for lunch. It wasn’t until after the meal that they came over to speak. They asked how the food was, and if we’d paid yet. I gestured that my husband was up paying our bill at that very moment. They quickly ran up to the front desk where my husband was attempting to pay, and asked the cashier if she could cancel it (the credit card had already been swiped) and told her to add our entire bill to his. It was the sweetest and kindest gesture. My husband does not know this sweet family (yet) but was absolutely floored. They told my husband that it was a “little thing” and that they just wanted to bless us. To tell you that it blessed us would be an understatement. God used this situation to be so much more than a “random act of kindness” — it was more like an “intentional act of kindness, grown to a huge blessing all the way around” sort of thing.

Not only did God provide (through some very precious friends) for our meal, the “little things” situation also provided me with the opportunity to talk to my husband about God’s faithfulness and some of my heart on what had just happened. I was able to plant seeds, in and with faith, with my husband. It helped him see God’s love through a selfless act of friends.

So, to the faithful family who took care of my family’s lunch today – know that what may have been a little thing to you was much more to us. God used your kindness in multiple ways. Thank you for your giving heart. From my family to yours, we love you!

Jan12

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful For Hot Water

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As silly as it may sound, I’m tremendously thankful for hot water. Truth be told, I’m thankful for any kind of water. However, there is something healing and soothing on aches and pains / sore muscles that hot water makes feel so much better.

Yesterday, I went back to the YMCA (first time since the tumor removal) and took it easy. I did not want to pull out the stitches or otherwise cause damage/pain. Taking it easy or not, my muscles are letting me know I made them work! It’s the kind of pain that feels good – knowing you’ve done something! Even still, I love the soothing feeling of nice, hot water!

Jan11

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful for the YMCA

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Today will be the first time I’ve gone back to the YMCA since I had the tumor removed. The stitches are still there, but it seems to be healing nicely. I will be taking it easy, but need to continue my quest of healthier living and a greater level of fitness.

I am grateful for the YMCA. Our local YMCA is an amazing place, and truly a community. There are people from all walks of life, and all stages of fitness ability. I’m grateful for a place to belong, and somewhere that welcomes you as you are, and helps you on your fitness journey. It means a lot that someone is there with you every step of the way – always available to answer questions or give you direction.

Thank you YMCA for promoting an atmosphere for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The community and atmosphere that is available makes healthy life change not only a possibility, but a reality.

Jan9

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful For 12 Years Of Marriage

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Yesterday was mine and my husbands 12 year wedding anniversary. Though not always a bed of roses, I am thankful, and remain grateful for these 12 years of marriage. Through the ups and downs, here we remain. Together, we have three beautiful children. It still floors me that God entrusts us with growing them from newborn until they are on their own – hopefully as mature adults with principles, morals and values – rooted in and centered on God.

In a blog post later today, I will share more thoughts on marriage – even with some personal insights on mine. So, I will leave this here and let you all smile (and even laugh) when you realize this is probably the shortest blog post I’ve ever shared!

Jan8

365 Moments Of Gratitude: Thankful For Erasers

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I was amused sitting here a few minutes ago. Why, you ask? As I was sitting here writing with a pencil, I made a few mistakes. As I was drawing with a pencil that didn’t have an eraser, I realized exactly how grateful for erasers I actually am! It really is the little things in life that we sometimes take for granted, huh!? Erasers really do make things easier sometimes!

If you want to take this a step further, we can liken this equation to life. How many times have you been in the middle of a situation, just wishing for an eraser (or in my case, a rewind button) sometimes? I know I have!

My goal is to realize that we will always make mistakes. Sometimes an eraser won’t be there and available for a mistake rescue. Live life in such a way that any “mistakes” made won’t destroy the whole work of art.

Jan6

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Grateful For New Life In Christ – Water Baptism

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As those who know me know (and those who don’t are about to find out) I grew up in and around church my entire life. As a child, I came to know a faith in Christ. It was real, but not something I held close into adolescence and young adulthood. Truth be told, God was still there – 100% of the time. It was just that I allowed myself to drift further from Him than I’d like to acknowledge. I always had “faith” and always knew God loved me. I never fully turned my back on Him, but neither did I allow Him to have all of me. I took way too much time to do my own things – and follow my own paths. Let me tell you, walking a path alone – without God by your side, gets to be very lonely.

It wasn’t until recently that I made the life-changing decision to give God my all. Not just my Sunday mornings, and not just praying before meals – but all of me. It very quickly became a necessity to get real with myself, with other people, and especially before God. As I have mentioned before, this sort of transforming life-change was made possible for me by a church with a God-centered, people-loving vision. My life was changed from the moment I walked in the doors. I was not completely without God before, but my life lacked much determination, focus, drive, and ultimately purpose. To find those things through the extended hands of love made such a big difference. Getting connected with people, learning to open up and let others in while also reaching back – that is a work in progress, but has made a tremendous difference in my life.

Today was a very special day for me. It signified my decision to take that next step, to make my faith public, and to be baptized in water. This is something I did as a child. Yes, I was old enough and knew what I was doing. However, since I spent so many years walking in varying (non God-centered) directions, I decided that now was the time to make this decision for myself. As an adult, to make the decision and to let my church family join in celebrating with me. What I was not prepared for was what happened internally as this took place. I was slightly nervous prior to it being “my turn” to get baptized. I knew what to expect, but I just wasn’t sure. As little sense as that makes – all I am saying is that I was excited beyond belief to be making that step, but nervous maybe just being in front of the whole church. That said, the instant I walked out there, God’s presence filled me with an overflowing joy – from the inside out.

In my head, this signified so much more than just getting dunked into a tub full of water. It signified a new season in my life. It signified life-change in a beautiful way. I said to myself, and to all watching that this was real. I did/do not care who thinks that what I did was silly, unnecessary or any other negative connotation that may come to mind. This was not their choice. It was mine. I did not do this for anyone else. This was a personal, but public display of my faith and following of a God larger than life. I do not have to seek another persons approval. I am made complete in Him. The same can be true for you, that guy next door, or that random stranger walking down the street. Live your life less for what everyone else expects, and more for His plan and purpose for your life.

No matter what situation happens in my life, no matter what heartbreak I face, and no matter how uncool things appear at certain points, I will not let anyone steal the joy of this day. This day marks a new start. A fresh start. A real faith in a real God.

If you do not know Him, I urge you to just think about the words I have said here. If you have any questions about water baptism, about what I mean by faith in a God larger than life, in what it means to be a Christian, please do not hesitate to post below, or to contact me privately via my “contact me” page. I’m here, and would love to discuss whatever is on your mind. I welcome your thoughts, comments, replies and/or any prayer requests you might have.

Be blessed, friends – and make today a day worth remembering.

Jan5

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful For Lifelong Friends

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I have several friends whom I’ve known for much or most of my entire adult life up until this point. However, there are only a small handful that I’ve known since pretty early childhood – and managed to remain in contact with from then until now. Other than family, I can pinpoint only a very few people that I have known and remain close to since childhood.

I was talking to a friend last night who I am blessed to call friend. She thanked me for sticking with her, and for helping her out in something. My response was that I would always stick with her. We share not only history, but friendship, and faith in a God larger than life.

I am blessed, encouraged and grateful for all the friends in my life. Every – single – one. However, as I was just thinking this morning. I sat back and smiled thinking of some lifelong friends I’m blessed to have walked through so much of life with.

For those of you reading this that it applies to, thank you! For everyone – new and old friends alike – I’m more grateful than there are words to share for you. Thank you for being part of my journey!!