My intentions are usually to be a thankful person. I try to look at situations and see the good in them. In my head, I can easily recognize that there is much to be thankful for in my life. And most days, I do a pretty good job of having a heart of gratitude. I've noticed however, that when things aren't going according to my plan, or they don't have my goal as an end result, that I easily move from being thankful to being resentful. Another place I've found myself lodging is in fear. I end up here when I look too far down the road. Circumstances, relationships, financial issues, and personal faults all send their calling card to invite me to dwell in fear.
The thing is, I want to reside in Thanksgiving. My heart is at rest when I'm thankful. Seriously, it's hard to be truly thankful and fearful at the same time. Have you ever been filled with gratitude and resentment at the same time? There's a verse in Philippians which directs me in how to find a home in Thanksgiving..."Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things." (4:8) See, if I've got my mind on things that are excellent, like the power of my God or things that are lovely, like the family He's given me and the great friends that support me....then my mind is given less opportunity to set up shop thinking about and dwelling in fear or resentment. So, while I've said before that I want to be thankful...I've changed my mind. I want to abide in Thankfulness. 
Switching residencies back and forth between fear and gratitude is too wearying. I want my address to be Thanksgiving. I'm sure, it's going to take some time and concerted effort on my part, but the good thing is that my place there is already paid for in full...I just need to take advantage of the deal. Happy Thanksgiving my friends, may this be the Thanksgiving that we never leave."Oh, thank God - He's so good! His love never runs out." Psalm 107:1
18 comments:
Lisa -- That was lovely. I think we all waffle between feeling grateful, knowing we should be grateful, and letting little worries and issues drag us down. Maybe those little worries are a reminder for just how grateful we should be. You have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your family.
-- Jodi
I love these pieces of you that you share with your readers. honest, true, sincere a better friend none could find. I'm SO grateful for YOU this Thanksgiving!
Lisa,
What an amazing post. You are a gifted writer. God is so good and it is just so very true that if we practice thanksgiving continually we be content with the blessings God has given us. Even when we had a small mobile home with all eight of us, I practiced gratitude each day to remember that this is where God had planted me and I am to bloom there despite all of the obstacles.
Just when I am doing the dishes, I offer thanks to God for the dishes and for the food that was served on them to nourish our family.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Warm wishes.
Beautifully said and something I think everyone can relate to. Thanks for that little reminder about where we all want our address to be.
Amen! I love your honesty and the way you look at things and open my eyes!
Thank you for this. I needed it today--a day when I was up tossing and turning half the night, a day when the house is nowhere near ready to host the holiday, a day when the to-do list seems insurmountable.
I give thanks for you!
I want to reside next door to you in Thanksgiving!
Thank you for reminding us!
Tonya
Gorgeous post, and a wonderful sentiment. I think that the clearest path to peace, or God or love is through leaving fear and resentment behind, and really feeling all of the things that life has blessed us with. Thank you for sharing
Great post!! Great reminder~take every thought captive. Choose what we dwell on and not allow ourselves to be brought down.
I want to reside in thankfulness with you.
Ruth
So beautifully written, L. Fear is a tough emotion because it sneaks up on you when you least expect it. The best way to release it is to re-direct and think about or engage in the positive. I'm so proud of you for choosing to focus on thankfulness. I am thankful for you and for this lovely and timely reminder.
So beautiful, and so right on!
Oh, Lisa... you are a poet, did you know that?! :o) This post really shook me too the core, I have to say. "Have you ever been filled with gratitude and resentment at the same time?", you say... I'm there right now! A dream I've been nurturing hasn't been going to expectation and while there have great moment, there's a sour underside I'm not liking. Hence the resentment--LOL! Normally, I am like you--I feel gratitude daily. But sometimes the big things and projecting too far ahead can get me into trouble. I do have a daily gratitude practice, which helps, especially during difficult or stressful moments. "I want to abide in Thankfulness."... Me too. :o) Abide...isn't that a lovely word...and combined with thankfulness...wow. I plan on writing on a similar theme tomorrow at my place. Stop by if you get a chance, I'd love to hear your thoughts. I hope your adibing is in grace, peace and thankfulness more and more, Lisa. Wishing you & yours a beautiful Thanksgiving week! Oh, and thanks for joining in on my giveaway fun--great to see you there! ((HUGS))
What a nice post! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!!
One of your best posts. I too have been working on being more gratful but do often find the worries. I saw a sign during my travels that said " Life is all about how you handle plan B." I try to keep that in mind when the bad thoughts start. I do truly have a lovely life and much to be thankful for. I am joining you in the new location of Thankfullness. Have a great Thanksgiving.
i think that the "think on these things" part is so critical. when you open up your mind, you open up your heart. seeds of discontent take almost no time to take root, and before you know it, they are the ivy that covers everything else. i have been trying to purpose worthy and good in my thought life. when i dwell there, it is so freeing and i feel the most joyful and settled.
great post, thanks for sharing your heart. we are thankful for all the quicks, and for their presence in our lives. happy thanksgiving to all!
I am thankful that you have the gift of expressing exactly what I often feel, but don't have the eloquence to express.
What a beautiful post, Lisa. You express yourself quite gracefully and your abundant inner beauty shines forth.
What a sweet post!
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