Joy - getting practical

Do you ever have a “duh” moment? When you think, “Wow . . . yeah . . . of course . . . I can’t believe I didn’t see that before . . . it was right there in front of me!”? Well that happened to me this week.

Thanks to Linda, I’ve found Holley’s Joy Challenge. On Thursday, Holley wrote, “I've learned when the practical part of my life gets out of line it makes it so much harder to keep a strong relationship with God and live in joy.”

As I read her list of practical things like eating well, rest, exercise, etc., I had the “duh” moment. I realized that even though I have purposefully been looking for and seeing the sacred in the “ordinary” for some time, until I read and reread her post I had not really been making the connection between the “practical,” as she put it, and the sacred.

It really made me stop and think when she then asked, “What’s your favorite practical tip or trick for keeping your joy?”

As I reread her essentials list, I saw how important those things are and how they do effect my spiritual life. So, in addition to the things that Holley listed, some of my favorite practical tips or tricks for keeping my joy are:
~keeping things simple
~keeping first things first
~routine
~a peaceful, restful home
~stopping to really listen and engage when someone is talking to me
~keeping in touch with extended family
~getting outside
~opening the windows, letting fresh air in
~reading
~listening to hymns and worship music
~a clean home
~walking

I’m so grateful for Linda and Holley and for this new way of looking at and seeing the spiritual side of the practical.

Consider joining the Gratitude Community!

More gifts

61. a very good doctor’s report for very good friends
62. wind, clouds, and a bit of cooling
63. first one and then another and then another new book resource
64. godly playmates
65. games for little guys to play with Dad
66. time spent together - Dad and son

Day 7 - Thankfulness

Like Dorothy, I am thankful for Fridays and the promises that weekends hold.

Also, fires in the fireplace. Our electricity went out for much of the day and it got quite chilly in our house, so we built a fire in the fireplace which warmed us and our home very nicely.

Which brings me to wood. I am so grateful for the wood we have this year to have fires in the fireplace.

Which brings me to how blessed we are to have a wonderful neighbor who cut the wood that we purchased so we would have fires in the fireplace.

Day 6 - Thankfulness

John records these comforting words from our Lord:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” ~ John 14:27

And Paul writes in Philippians:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:5-7

I am so thankful for the peace of God.

Day 5 - Thankfulness

What is the chief end of man?

Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.

Psalm 50:23 tells us: “The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies Me;”

Thank You, Lord. 

Day 4 - Thankfulness

Telephones. Today I am so grateful for telephones that keep me connected to those I love.

Rebecca also reminded me how grateful I am for the long distance plan we have that allows me to not just keep connected, but to talk and talk and talk to my beautiful 9 year old granddaughter about well, whatever 9 year olds want to talk about!

Day 3 - Thankfulness

Today I was reflecting on how thankful I am to be able to homeschool. How fortunate I am to be able watch and nurture and share in the creative processes. To be there when the “idea” becomes a “reality.”

Day 2 - Thankfulness

So many things to list! 

Today it’s my camera. It’s so wonderful to be able to capture and share so many of the things for which I’m so grateful. 

Thankfulness

I have been going to restart a gratitude journal for months now and thanks to Rebecca and Ann, I have a renewed incentive. Rebecca has declared November a month of thanksgiving at her blog and is inviting everyone to join in. And Ann is also inviting us to join the Gratitude Community. 

At Study in Brown, Tonia reminded me that “thankfulness is a double gift; first, the obvious joy of every day’s blessings and second, the way such awareness has the potential to transform moments into a treasure hunt of beauty and gladness.”

On this first day of November I have so many things that I am grateful for. I'll begin my list with:

~ our home

~ family & friends

~ beautiful fall colors & weather

~ an unexpected visit & walk with a friend and her family

~ a wonderful online community

~ a fellow (and until today unknown to me) blogger from our former home town posting beautiful pictures that our family was so blessed by.