Tag Archives: gratitude

October 28, 2008 · 6:00 am

Rejoice My Peeps!


Today is the day the Lord has made.  I will rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24

I wish those were the first words out of my mouth every morning.  Instead of “why can’t I just make the coffee the night before like my mom?”  

As I was pulling into to Super Target today (that’s yesterday for you peeps), would you believe I quoted that scripture out loud?  Sure did.

Oh dear.  As I’m typing this I’m watching “Dancing With the Stars.”  Did you see them kicking it to Rob Bass’ “It Takes Two”?  I so used to be able to break it down like that.  Give me a little C&C Music Factory or  Young MC’s “Bust A Move,” and I had it.   I’ve got to get my groove back.  I’m just afraid that my groove is no longer cool.  This whole aging thing has its disadvantages.  What am I to do?  Wait until Anna is old enough to teach me the latest and greatest dance moves?  That’s just embarrassing. 

Oh, rejoice in the day.  Sorry.  That completely sidetracked me.  So, I said out loud, “Today is the day the Lord has made.  I will rejoice and be glad in it.”  Our ability or willingness to rejoice is usually governed by our day meeting our expectations.  And, when we are let down, it’s hard to find our happy place and be glad in the day. 

Hopes can be deferred.  We may not see manifestations that we hope to see.  But, God is still on the throne.  Though you may be knocked down, you’re not out.  And, that is reason enough to rejoice. 

He has given us today.  It’s a gift. 

How do you rejoice in your day?

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September 8, 2008 · 6:00 am

I get letters.


In my inbox.  Who uses snail mail anymore?

My very good friend, Kate, e-mailed me last Friday about her sweet time she had with Jesus that morning.  Something she said really got to me.

“No matter how much I have in my life that I don’t want, I HAVE SO MUCH in my life THAT I DO WANT!  There are blessings all around me that I can overlook by searching for a certain blessing.”

How often I have those little aha moments (thanks, Oprah).  And, how often I let my search for other things (or my discontentment with present things) rob me of the blessings that are staring me square in the face. 

I tried to impart this message to my children Friday night. They sat at their cute little table eating their hotdogs, chips and grapes – an obvious dinner of champions.  I didn’t nuke these wieners in the microwave.  Nosireebob.  They were grilled, baby.  One would think that they would have appreciated the pig on their plate, but all they could say was “Mom, you forgot our drinks!” 

Such Friday night kitchen efforts, ahem, meant nothing to my precious gifts from God.  I forgot to serve them an ice cold beverage.

It’s hard to expect my little ones to grasp this kind of gratitude when I so easily forget my own blessings.  But, I’m learning. 

By the way, here are Kate and I circa 1989.

What?  You didn’t accent turquoise turtlenecks with purple cardigans?  We didn’t even have to try to look that cool.  It just came naturally.  With the help of hot rollers, of course.  I don’t think I’ve said the word hot roller since 1990.  Blessed be His name.

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.  1 Thessalonians 5:18

Let today be a day that we are thankful for we DO have.  Amen, Sister Kate?

 

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April 18, 2008 · 7:00 am

The greatest gift I never received.


It’s 1983ish, and all I want is the coveted Cabbage Patch Kid.  Remember those outlandish dolls with each one signed by Xavier Roberts….on their hineys no less?  Such a doll was considered a luxury in our house, and on a pastor’s salary, we didn’t buy luxuries.  I’ll never forget the Christmas I asked for the Cabbage Patch Kid.  I woke up in the middle of the night to get a head’s up on what awaited me that morning.  (My mom still displayed my gifts as if from Santa….even after I discovered his non-existence.)  The doll I found was an imposter – a less expensive version of the ridiculously priced doll.  I remember the feeling of disappointment.  However, I also remember going back to bed and mustering up the gusto to still put on a happy and grateful face the next morning.  And, I did.

You see, even at a young age I had an understanding of gratitude.  And, not receiving this gift made me appreciate my parents even more.  They could not provide the Cabbage Patch, but they still made sure I didn’t lack. 

I can’t help but wonder if I am instilling that same sense of gratitude and appreciation in my own children for not only things, but for those who give them.  It’s a hard line.  While Kris and I have the capabilities to provide such luxuries to our children, should we?  Well, sure.  But, how much is too much?  It’s very tough as parents to draw that line.

I am thankful for the opportunities to give to John Henry and Anna.  However, I hope that the gifts they receive go beyond material possessions.  I hope they receive the gift of gratitude, the gift of compassion, the gift of mercy, the gift of faith, the gift of hope, and the gift of love….above all else.

And, to my parents who never knew (until now) of that brief disappointment, thank you.  That Christmas, you gave me more than you know.  For that, I am truly grateful.

So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.  Matthew 7:11

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April 7, 2008 · 7:00 am

What’s got you so worried?


My blogging friend, Cindy Beall, once wrote “worry is a four-letter word.”  This couldn’t ring more true for me.  I wish, oh how I wish, I could just cease all worry once and for all.  It doesn’t work that way for me.   Pastor Craig Groeschel of Lifechurch.tv once illustrated that we have two boxes:  the “God box” and the “Me box”.  Those things we have control over go into the “Me box”.  Everything else….those things we cannot control…..go into the “God box”.  Here’s the kicker:  the “God box” should be much larger than the “Me box”.  As a matter of fact, it should reach heights of biblical proportions.  Get it?  Biblical proportions?  Anyway, back to worry.

 I am really good at putting my “stuff” in the God box only to take it out when He chooses to keep me waiting.  Oh, please tell me I’m not the only one.  My worry has caused me do some really drastic things….and also reach some pretty ridiculous conclusions.  I thought I’d share a few.  WebMd.  Been there?  Don’t go.  I’ve turned headaches into brain tumors with only 2 weeks left to live.  Oh, and that pain in my chest?  Well, we all know where I must have taken that one.  Then, there are my children.  I do not go to bed most nights without checking in on my youngins just one more time.  And, I actually look to see that their little tummies are pumping up and down.  Can any other moms out there admit to similar obsessions?  Yes, yes, I see that hand.  Thank you, Sharon.  Let’s not stop here.  It would be wrong to omit the time that I called the emergency flight services to track my husband while he was flying home….then I had our local control tower contact Kris upon his approach into our home airport.  The message the controller gave him?  “Mr. Takle, you better call your wife as soon as you land.  You’re in trouble, Captain.”  For real.  Okay, so he wasn’t in trouble.  But, when I could no longer track his flight on our flight tracker system (as I always do), I, well, you know……I worried.  Drastic times call for drastic measures.  Can I get an Amen?

Matthew 6:34 says “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today”.  I have to be honest.  This doesn’t make me feel any better.  But this does:  6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 4:6-7)  Here, Paul is prescribing prayer, good thoughts, and gratitude as the cure for worry.  You see, when we pray and count our blessings, it puts our worries into perspective.  If you can do something about it, get busy.  If not, go to the God of peace in prayer.

What’s got you worried? 

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