We are rejoicing together in the blessings God has showered upon us this week ~ want to join us?
Simply take the image above and place it in a post on your blog. List 5 things you are thankful for this week and use Mr. Linky, below to link us to your post. Offer your readers a link back here...and that's it!
If you have no blog...just use the comment box to add your entry.
You know what we say: A thankful heart is a joyful heart!
Dearest Lord, God, Father, and heavenly King,
You are kind and generous. You provide for all of my needs and send me daily gifts to bring me JOY and
PEACE and LOVE in my life. There is not a single day passing when You do not bless me. For this, and for the things I am listing below...I am TRULY THANKFUL.
This week, I have been especially thankful for:
1) The wonderful discussions, experiences, fellowship, and friendships that have grown out of our "I Surrender" Book Club/Discussion page on Facebook. The Lord takes women from all over the world, and brings them together, united in love for His Son and in their vocations...and the beauty and blessings that come from that are beyond counting! I have learned so much and have grown closer to God and my family because of my interaction with the beautiful ladies in the group. THANK YOU, LORD!
2) The way that children offer to help me when they see I have a large task at-hand. I scheduled time in our day this week to take down our Christmas tree and pack away all of the decorations around the house...I did not ask anyone to help, and yet, I found myself surrounded by children, offering their assistance and turning a big, tedious task into a pleasurable activity. THANK YOU, LORD!
3) Our woods and fields. Each morning, I am greeted by a magnificent and beautiful scene outside my windows...like an ever-changing easel in God's art studio! The white, crisp frost, laying atop the crunchy, golden grass of winter...the tall, bare, trees, with an evergreen bursting forth here or there...leaves left-over and carpeting the forest floor...the morning sun coming up on the horizon, like the lifting of the curtain in a great stage performance...as it rises, the world outside my door comes to life! THANK YOU, LORD!
4) Our pets. We don't have many...just two dogs and some fish.(Well, unless you count the endless stream of frogs, turtles, lady-bugs, snails, worms, and yes...even stink bugs, that my kids "take under their wing" and call "beloved" , LOL) I love to see the my children run and play with Jack and Thunder (their trusty, Canine Companions) and it is another way that I can how much God loves us...that He created and gave us the animals and creatures of the world...some to feed us...others, simply, to delight us, comfort us, and bring us JOY. THANK YOU, LORD!
5) Our pastor, Father Jack Lombardi. You can read some of his writings HERE.
His love of God and joy in his vocation emanates the true peace and happiness that can only come from being united to and abiding in Christ. He welcomes any and all...to his home, to his parish...to his life...he feeds the homeless, goes to the bedside of those in need in the middle of the night...offers hours and hours of Adoration for his flock...plays with our children...and teaches us what it means to simplify, and to give ourselves completely to Jesus...over and over again...every day...to get back up when we fail and fall...to TRUST in Divine Mercy...and to try every day...most of all...to LOVE those whose paths cross our own. He is a great inspiration and leader and FRIEND in our lives...and we are all closer to the Lord because of this man's presence in our daily family life journey. THANK YOU, LORD!
Thanks again, for joining me in an "attitude of gratitude" (as our good friend, Colleen Spiro, likes to say)!
It's your turn now!
I look forward to sharing in your blessings:
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8 comments:
What a beautiful list of blessings! I bookmarked the page of your pastor's writings...WOW! It looks like a great bunch of articles.
I, too, have really enjoyed the discussions on FB. There is so much love, support, prayer, & inspiration!
Nature, one of those wonders of God I could marvel at forever :)
I've got to join the I Surrender book group. It sounds like something I'd love.
I too love looking at nature, walking through it. I live in a rather built up community, but there's a pond outside and though it's man made, it brings "the wild" closer.
I love the attitude of gratitude!!
Love love love your list. You are so blessed!
Though I do not participate in your I Surrender discussions, I enjoy reading them!
Isn't that wonderful how your children stepped right in to help. That is because you and hubby are such good role models and teachers. Your children feel secure and loved in all they do.
You are so blessed to have those woods!
God bless!! Thanks for this meme!
I'm so glad you've enjoyed our "I Surrender" page on FB, Munchesmom :)
And, I know that you will be blessed by Fr. J's articles! (BTW, does your Dad do any writing online in his ministry?)
Kristen, I completely agree! I am known to "get lost" just lying close to the ground and watching an ANT with my kids! EVERY creature/object in nature is SO amazing. Sometimes, we'll laugh and say, "Now, I wonder WHY God made THAT"...and we end up concluding that He made much of what He made, simply to delight us!
Thanks for sharing "nature" and blessings with me Kristen!
Susan, you are most welcome to join us on FB:
https://www.facebook.com/people/Judy-Dudich/100000660858959#!/groups/228105583918897/
We are nearing the end of the book at this time...but all previous posts are still there and we are free to "keep the discussions going" on any of our choosing...so you would be able to add your thoughts where ever you like!
Also, I am currently pondering/discerning ways to keep that group going even when we finish reading the book because it has been such a wonderful experience. So, stay tuned on that part...I'll let you know what we come up with!
Colleen...I LOVE how you enjoy our woods through my posts and the kids and I enjoy the shore through yours! Thank you for your kind words...I often feel that my children are teaching me FAR MORE than I teach them :)
Family life is SUCH a blessing, isn't it?
My dad is a great homilist & writer. He's written many things over the years (articles on why we call priests "Father," why the Catholic Bible has more books, & more). Occasionally they will be published in their church bulletin. I keep telling him he could reach many people & spark some great discussions, but I just can't get him interested in blogging or Facebook.
BTW - Tim Hawkins was the first person I thought of two when I wrote yesterday's blog post!
Well, we have always known that our spirits are kindred, right, munchesmom? As per your Dad...perhaps you could convince him to share his writings to be posted on someone ELSE'S site...such as a LOVELY woman we know and love who has a website called 'Catholic Prayer Life' or another woman (::clears throat::) who has a section of her HF & FL website entitled, "Catholic Corner"? There could be a regular feature there entitled, "From the Deacon's Desk" or something!
Yes...kindred spirits we are!
Great ideas for my dad! When I ran his series about the Revised Romans Missal on my blog, I did suggest that he's more than welcome to be a guest writer anytime he wants. I should remind him & see if he's interested. I think I'll email him & link to this comment page, too...maybe seeing someone else's suggestion for his writing might encourage him!
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