Thankfulness is choosing to be a rememberer.

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I can’t help but stare out the windows these cold mornings, the light is so beautiful filtering through my “new” lace curtains with the backdrop of autumn foliage and frost. It’s a different kind of light, somehow; diffused and striking and golden.

My curtains (I’ll show you in another post) are thrift shop finds, a delicate cream heritage-looking lace that I spied and bought for a steal ($3.99 each panel) on a recent Saturday morning jaunt. I treasure my infrequent “alone” jaunts in this busy stage of life. I almost feel like I’m getting away with something when I steal away for a few hours to refresh my soul with inspiration from beautiful old dishware, art, podcasts, and strong coffee, as quiet time is so very rare in my stage of life.

Quietness has always reset my focus and done me good, especially in the early years of motherhood when my head would spin with the constant stream of conversation and needs that little children produce and require.

Years ago, I would have resented the noise, but God’s grace has taught me that I’m not entitled to anything…not even peace and quiet… and that an entitled attitude is the quickest way to kill joy and gratitude.

Living with thanksgiving is an attitude that acknowledges God’s sovereignty and Lordship over all aspects of life, and bows in submission to what He deems good knowing that His nature and disposition to us is goodness and love.

Knowing God’s disposition to give us good things helps me to embrace the moment I’m in, whether it’s what I’d prefer or not. (I’ve learned that God usually chooses better for me than I would myself, or as Elizabeth Elliot said “God has promised to supply all our needs. What we don’t have now, we don’t need.”–and conversely…what we do have now, we apparently need.

“It is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

In my quiet time this week, I noticed a threefold call to thanksgiving in one of my favorite passages:

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Col. 3:15-18, NIV

Our inward thankfulness towards God (and the circumstances God allows!) affects outward speech and demeanor.

Inward thankfulness says….

God has been good to me! I’ve been saved from death and destruction. I’ve been given grace and someday, an inheritance in heaven. I have WAY more than I deserve.

Ingratitude expects more and is forgetful of all the good things God has given. Eve wanted more and grabbed it for herself. Instead of awe and thanksgiving, the green eyed monster ruled the day.

May we choose to live as good “rememberers”….recalling all of the wonderful deeds of the Lord in our own lives. May we be known as joyful women, wives, mothers and grandmothers… instead of complainers.

Simple Gifts from the week that I want to remember:

I had the pleasure of talking to Christine Hoover on her podcast “By Faith”. We discussed ministry life in New England including youth ministry, hospitality, raising kids and staying engaged in the teen years, plus mentoring younger women in the church. You can find that interview here.

This morning we woke to two grandchildren in the house. Within minutes, the house was abuzz with baby squeals and requests for “PAPA” and pancakes and books and toys.

I watched as my daughter fed her girls the ricotta pancakes I made and simultaneously guided their morning-time learning, reciting their ABC Bible verses through letter E.

“A, All have sinned and come short of the glory of God”, Annie recited through giggles and smiles. Annie, on letter D began wagging her first finger back and forth signalling “NO”, the memory prompt Emily had taught her to remember the verse:”Depart from evil, and do good.”

I’m not sure I can tell you how grateful I was to witness my 2 year old saying the verses her mother had learned, but I felt God’s grace and goodness so profoundly in that moment that I got choked up as I cheered Annie on for saying it so sweetly. Full circle moment. Did I mention how adorable my granddaughters are? he,he

This week, as I worked on homemade gifts, I decided to use some bits of old recycled candles to make a jar candle. I heated some bits of beeswax in a double boiler and scented the wax with essential oil: sweet orange, clove, bergamot, and campfire. It smells like cloven oranges over a fireplace to me. I used an old pearl onion jar since I had several washed out and saved from last Thanksgiving’s curried onions. If you aren’t familiar with essential oils, you do want to be careful about getting them on your skin since some can burn.

I used: 7 drops campfire, 4 drops clove, 4 drops orange, 8 drops bergamot.

You can adjust to your liking. Next batch I make, I’ll add a few more drops of Campfire to each candle.

I shared the delight of making gingerbread leaves with some of the girls at our homeschool co-op. You simply use a white opaque Sharpie marker with a fine tip and design away. They look sweet pinned to a garland.

Hope and I made iced coffee with pumpkin spice cold foam. It rivals Starbucks. For two drinks, make strong iced coffee and pour over iced. To make the cold foam, whip until thickened slightly: 1/4 c whole milk, 1/4 c. heavy cream, 2T brown sugar, 2T pumpkin puree, and a dash of pumpkin pie spice. Divide between two iced coffees and enjoy.

I’ve been learning to make sourdough bread from my niece, Angie. It’s getting there. It’s a real learning curve, but I’m glad I tried it and someday I’ll make a loaf as lovely as hers.

Articles I enjoyed this week:

Our Limits are Good:: Risen Motherhood

Praising and Raising Glory Monsters::Rondi Lauterbach

How God Sees Me:: Core Christianity

I hope you have a wonderful week!