Thankful Journals

 

 

 

These are our family thankful journals.

 

Why did we begin them? What's the importance of them?  

 

I Thess 5: 16-18

 

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances,

for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus".

 

 

There are  many ways to practise thankfulness, but for us, there is something to be said about a family gathered around the table after stomachs are satisfied; the pouring out of thanksgivings on pages once blank. Numbered lines and words offering praise and thanks to the One who provides our every need. It satisfies - strengthens - encourages - uplifts.

 

Paul urges us in the above passage to give thanks in all circumstances. (Does anyone else find this a ridiculously hard challenge?!! ) I must deliberately choose to offer thanks even when every part of me wants to stay in my pity party, or my tantrum or my negative thinking (please tell me I'm not the only one who does this!). It is hard, but it is so incredibly amazing to see God's gifts to me and my family, His many gifts, listed in the pages of these journals.

 

Our children need to see us set the example of thankfulness lived out daily. Society's gluttonous desire for more more more leaves the smallest amount of room for viewing what we already have. What He has lavishly filled our lives with. Actually, our children are the ones who help to keep us actively practising praise ... they thrive on them! (In reality, we don't do it every night, but we have settled on a minimum 3 times each week).

 

My husband, Mr S, gives out the number of 'thank-you's' to write and we all set about thinking of our days blessings and recording them as a written legacy of Gods goodness to us. Are the points always profound, spelt correctly or written neatly? With four children under 10, it's very unlikely!! But all of them understand that we are writing down these things because Gods generous care of us deserves our attention; and that generosity also deserves our thanks.

 

Then comes my other favourite part; we go around the table one thank-filled heart at a time and share what we have written together; that's the connective tissue that keeps this practise alive. We write it, then we voice it. It unites and it is powerful. This is a beautiful part of my family ... (Thank you God for the practise of giving thanks).

 

(Just between you and me, I'm looking forward to reading over them through the years!)

 

Would you consider practising thankfulness through a thankful journal in your family?

 

 

 

Photos property of Sufficient Grace... please ask permission before useage. Thanks

 

 

I Am

I created this artwork that now hangs in my dining room because I wanted to declare something...

Photo property of Sufficient Grace... please ask permission before useage. Thanks

 

 

I wanted to declare that I am all these things in Christ, my family members are all these things in Christ ... and so are you!

This is the truth about who we have been made to be through the sacrifice Christ made for us on that sin-drenched cross.

 
Can you read what it says? It says we are:

Redeemed from the hand of the enemy; Registered in heaven by name; Hidden with Christ in God; A living Stone; Christ's Witness; Gods masterpiece ... that one is one of my favourites! Christ's friend; Kept in safety wherever I go ... and so it continues.
 

Did I conjure up this fabulous list out of the recesses of my mind, (echo echo echo...) just to give myself a boost? No! This fabulous list of truths are all taken from the Word of God ... His declaration over who He sees us to be! (Is this exciting anyone else?!!)

We do need to be reminded of who we are in Christ. This world can sometimes point an accusing finger at Christians; and while none of us are perfect, focusing on the truth of our identity nourishes our souls.

Photo property of Sufficient Grace... please ask permission before useage. Thanks

 

Read through the list of our heavenly DNA ... our eternal make-up; the identity that truly matters  ... for all of eternity.

 

Let the words sink in. Grasp the truth.

 

 

Photo property of Sufficient Grace... please ask permission before useage. Thanks

 

This was a wonderful piece of art to create. As I wrote (for six hours) the truth began embedding itself in the fabric of my being ... I was being transformed in my mind as ink flowed free. I began letting go of past 'beliefs' I had of myself ... most of which were completely negative.

 

Am I 100%confident of who I am now? Has this artwork been the 'permanent fix' for my wrong self-attitudes and wrong self-beliefs? Absolutely not. That only comes from a constant feeding on Gods Word (and it still takes a life-time).

 

But it is the truth in art form and it shouts out to me; above the negative voice and it so beautifully reminds me of His 'birth-mark' on my soul; His seal of Ownership on my heart ... and I am blessed.

 

 

Photo property of Sufficient Grace... please ask permission before useage. Thanks

 



Can I invite you to search in your Living Word and let God take you on a journey of finding your true identity in Him? I promise, you won't regret it.

 

 

1 Samuel 16:7

 

The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance,

but the Lord looks at the heart.



 

 

2 Corinthians 1:21

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ.

He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us,

and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit,

guaranteeing what is to come.

 

 

*Please feel free to leave your comments ... I'm looking forward to getting to know you!*

 

 





A Moment of Truth

I am a writer.


There, I've said it (exhale).

So why do I struggle to believe it?

This little 'blog o sphere' of mine began as a platform for throwing out into the world of women a voice that shouts out the truth of God and His Word. In amongst the day-to-day battle of woman-hood, it's a voice that screams out 'You have worth'; 'I have worth' ... not because of anything we do or do not do. Not because of how we do or don't look but because we are belonging to Christ and He sees us as beautiful.

Writing has been with me my whole life. To refuse to write is almost like refusing to breath. Writing is the oxygen for my soul. It's my way to gain perspective, clarity and it also heals. Writing heals many wounds.

That being said, throughout the journey of this blog you will find me 'experimenting' with the writer in me (please be patient!!) There will be poetry (some from high school that are a ... aaahhh ...few years old) and some from more recent years. I may write some short little stories; a post crammed to the brim with quotes (gotta love a good quote) maybe write some song lyrics; posts about family, friends, faith .. who knows?

But hear me here ...listen closely.

I am going to write because it is who I am.

And you? You are free - free to do what it is that awakens your heart with such excited beatings; that which is God breathed into the very soul-makeup of who you are.

Will you join me?

Will you step out into believing that you are a beautiful daughter of the King? Will you listen to those songs in your heart that ring true when you are doing something that you love? Will you refuse to live in a womb of fear and step out into the true beauty that you are?

Whatever it is, friend, I urge you to be confident of the love of God that is yours and mine; a love that will never be taken away from us, and start living it out.


I'll be living it with you.

Philippians 1:6

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

 

 

Lost In His Beauty

Crimson river of refreshing grace,
bathed in the fragrance of Christ.
My heart held captive by the song of His love,
encompassed in a lace-like embrace.
 
Fresh flight of crisp green leaves;
warm, soothing streams of crystallised light.
Heart who's life is found in Him
I inhale the fullness of comforting peace.
 
Cherish the beating
of my love-struck soul.
Yearning to fit-well His mould;
a copy of The One.

New hunger falls like desperate rain;
a longing to know more.
The familiar rhythm of words long spoken
Every inch of each chamber woven by grace.

The shimmer of touch
as I breath in
His hope;
held in His tender caress.
 
Wildflowers planted blooming as many gifts;
planted by my lavish Redeemer.
I gather them all and relish their uniqueness;
reflect on their meaning and I am well.

I am free.

The crisp flow of His Spirit
restores my hope,
it tingles my skin
and quickens my heart.

The romantic in me,
the writer in me -
completely lost in the
beauty of Him.

 

Photo property of Sufficient Grace... please ask permission before useage. Thanks

 

 

 

 



The Truth In Transition Times

I woke up yesterday morning with a less than motivated desire to get out of bed. This place where I am in is such a struggle right now; such a repetitious, life-sucking struggle. My night’s sleeps are less than adequate; leaving me exhausted before the new day even begins. Heavy, sad, distracted, disappointed, angry, confused, hurt, weighed-down, less than good enough; this has been my struggle. This is how my heart feels.

This transition time in my life is so hard, it’s confusing, it’s the most painful , faith-stretching adjustment I’ve been asked to make so far.  The largest desire I’ve been asked to sacrifice. Stepping into the unknown; decisions to make that seem so eternally pointless in my mind. I just get to the place of thinking that not all is lost, and then I’m right back at the beginning. Why couldn’t things just stay as they’ve always been?  Why can’t I stay in my place of comfort and familiarity?

How do we push ourselves to get out of a rut? To be motivated to live the best possible life as the gift it is, regardless of the difficult adjustments along the way? How do we see a possible new direction to pursue and step out without knowing every single step along the way? How do we take that step of faith instead of falling into a down-ward spiral of crippling, disabling fear? Can someone take me from A to B with minimal pain please?  

How do we grasp each moment and take stock of what really matters? Life can be exhausting; but it’s still a gift. Life can be a challenge – but it’s still a gift. Even amongst the pain, confusion and questions, our God never fails.

If I know no other answers to the mess in my heart right now, that is one truth that will never be taken from me – from you; our God never fails.

Romans 8:28ESV

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those called according to His purpose.

 

Nehemiah 8:10bESV

“And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength”

 

King David knew of pain, distress, confusion; he had questions that needing answering, and yet he clung to His God as he declared ...

Psalm 42:5NIV

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.

 

This is what I must do; it is what you must do ... because our God never fails.