Gratitude, Day Six (26 - 30)

I'm struggling today, feeling disturbed by evil in this ol' world, and finding thankfulness being pushed away by that disturbance and by worry.  This list is just for days like this, I think, so I need to push on.  At this point reaching one thousand seems a bit like a pipe dream and yet I know it can be done!

I asked a friend to clarify about some destructive influences in extended family which have been the cause of family separation (for good cause.)  The clarification makes me feel a bit sick from the glossed over evil of it all.  No wonder God flooded the world at one time.  It's a wonder to me why He hasn't destroyed it all again before now.  It is His great mercy that has stayed His hand, I believe.  I don't even want to talk, or think, about some things and yet I know "There but for the grace of God, go I."  Thank you, Lord, for your amazing grace and great mercy!

26. God's mercy (I feel like repeating mercy, mercy, more mercy, and yet more inexplicable mercy)

27. Peace and calm for T through a very difficult meeting (thanking God for answering prayer!)

28. R's excitement over finally being able to learn a kick in karate that she's been waiting a lot time to learn.

29. That my old alarm watch is working again with a new battery

30. Social media that equals so many contacts with so many people

There's much more to be thankful for, but that's all I can manage today. :)

Gratitude Day Five

This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!  It's a grey cloudy dreary feeling day and I don't feel well.  It is still the day that God made and I want to rejoice in it.  The more I learn thankfulness, the more peace and joy I find.  "The joy of the Lord is my strength" Nehemiah 8:10

Today I think I'll list gifts from childhood that I am and ever will be thankful for.

21. Kittens

22. Being raised in a Christian home

23. The freedom to roam some 300 acres with a lake to swim and canoe and fish

24. My animals - Valentine/Tiny, Black kitty, King, Sadat, Rosy, and all the others that weren't really "mine" but that filled my life with so much.

25. Morning Glories

I've been drawing/creating, and it feels amazing!  I haven't quite sunk completely into it, but nearly so.  These are a few of my pieces.  I've used pencil, crayon, marker, and ink pen with old book pages.