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When Giving Thanks is Hard

This week will find people gathered around tables all across the U.S. as they celebrate Thanksgiving. Sure there will be the obligatory saying of grace. Families may even go around the table and share what they are thankful for. Some may even write out their prayers and hang them on a “thankful” tree.

 

But what do you do when giving thanks is hard?

 

Somebody has been isolated from social connections because of Covid so giving thanks may be a bit hard

 

Somebody has recently lost a parent so giving thanks may be a bit hard

 

Somebody has been struggling financially so giving thanks may be a bit hard

 

Somebody’s body is betraying them and is ravaged with disease so giving thanks may be a bit hard

 

But what I’ve come to learn and what the Lord has been especially impressing on my heart all week is Give Thanks Anyhow!

 

Despite what you see. Despite what you feel. Despite what you think. Give thanks anyhow!

 

Because it’s not about what we think, see or feel but about the ONE who deserves our honor, who deserves our adoration, who deserves our praise.

 

When giving thanks is hard, sometimes it requires you to take your eyes off yourself and off your situation and lock your gaze unto His.

 

When giving thanks is hard sometimes you have to deal with the spiritual cataracts so you can “see beyond” and see into the spirit.

 

Sometimes it will require you to humble yourself, recall where He bought you from, what He’s rescued you out of or what He spared you from.

 

Even when giving thanks is hard, the ONE who was, and is and is to come is still worthy. And because He sees and He knows and He cares, He will prod you and prompt you and remind you of just how much He loves you. You’ll hear it in the bird’s song or in the smile of a child. He’ll illuminate and bring back that verse you’ve hidden in your heart at just the right time. And when He does that, it may still be hard to give thanks but you’ll be compelled to do it. Because that’s the thing, praise and giving thanks are sacrificial. Oh yes, it’s going to cost you something.

 

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Hebrews 13:15

 

In the hard spaces of laying aside pride, convenience, or even hurt and sorrow, GIVE THANKS. It is actually God’s will that you give thanks is all things (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

 

Will it be hard to give thanks sometimes? Yes

Will it cost you something? Yes

But isn’t He worth it? YES!

 

Sometimes the words are hard to come by if you’re hurting but there is help. All you gotta do is turn to His word. Let these verses minister to your heart and may they flow from your lips as you offer up your true thanks giving

 

  • O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto Thee forever. Psalm 30:12
  • {I} Rejoice in every good thing which the Lord thy God has given unto me. Deuteronomy 26:11
  • Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:57
  • O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good. His mercy endureth forever. Psalm 118:29
  • Giving thanks always for all things unto God. Ephesians 5:20
  • Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Psalm 100:4
  • It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High. Psalm 92:1

 

So with the fruit of your lips, even if it’s but a whisper, release your Thank You Father…….

 

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!

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ALOUD, Give Him Praise!

Great Morning Inspired Life Family!

 

I’m just stopping in to invite you to rejoice with me today.  This morning as my eyes sprung open, my heart was flood with a song.  Stephen Hurd, the Director of Music and Arts at my church, The First Baptist Church of Glenarden, sings a song called Great Praise, (The War Cry). In the song he encourages us to give God great praise, ALOUD. YES, open your mouth and out loud give him your best praise. On this day the Nation has set aside to give thanks, be reminded that every second we have reason to give thanks.

~He woke you up this morning, THANK YOU!

~You can these words on the screen, THANK YOU!

 

~For the electronic device you’re holding to read this, THANK YOU!

 

~For your daily bread, THANK YOU!

 

~For the heat in your home, THANK YOU!

 

~For being loved, THANK YOU!

 

~Even for being hated on, THANK YOU!

 

~For running water, THANK YOU!

 

~For affliction that keeps you clinging to the Cross, THANK YOU!

 

~For laughter, THANK YOU!

 

~For every breath, THANK YOU!

 

[bctt tweet=”Any time is a good time to give the Lord not only a great praise but our BEST praise.” username=”inspiredfully”] He’s worthy.

May your day be spent basking in His infinite blessings.

As always, I pray you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!

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Will You Be The One?

From afar off He heard their plea, as they cried out, lifting their voices saying, “Jesus, Master have mercy on us!”

 

“Go and show yourselves to the priests,” he replied. And as they obediently heeded the command, they were healed. All ten, suffering from leprosy had their mark of shame removed.

 

Yet one…Just one, when he saw he was healed, returned and with a loud voice glorified God.

 

One.

 

Just one fell down on his face at the Mater’s feet giving Him thanks.

 

The one, a Samaritan thus seemingly the least to return would be the one to come back with thanksgiving on his lips.

 

And while the one had been cleansed physically, upon his return, with thanks on his lips, he was granted another level of healing. As He bowed at the Master’s feet, Jesus declared, “Arise, your faith as made you well.” Again, the leper had already been physically healed in the act of obedience in presenting himself to the priest, but this second encounter with the Master produced additional fruit in the life of the leper. He was made well from the inside out! The leper was restored and it was done so publicly.

 

So, have you returned to tell the Master thank you?

 

Thank you for protecting me from dangers seen and unseen.

 

Thank you Lord for supplying all my needs according to your riches in glory.

 

Thank you Lord that through all the trauma I’ve experienced, I am strong in my body, strong in my mind and strong in spirit.

 

Thank you that when I don’t know what to say, you make intercession to the Father on my behalf.

 

Thank you for presenting me before the Father blameless.

 

Thank you for being my advocate, defending me, petitioning for me and protecting me.

 

Thank you for loving, meaningful relationships.

 

Thank you for not leaving me to my own devices but for correcting me, disciplining me and molding me as to correct my character flaws.

 

Are you like the nine? When they received their healing it is likely they returned to rejoice with their family and friends. After all, they had been excommunicated and would naturally want to reunite with their loved ones. Jesus is making His point CLEAR to you and me when He calls out, not directly to the leper, but speaking so that the onlookers could hear and internalize, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” Luke 17:17-19

 

 

While Jesus isn’t healing us of leprosy today, He is healing our:

~Sickness

~Disease

~Lying

~Anger

~Greed

~Pride

~Selfishness

~Lust

~Malice

~Envy

 

 

And the list goes on and on.

 

One returned.

 

And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. Luke 17:15-16

 

Will you be the one?

 

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies. Psalm 107:1-2

 

 

If you are the one, pray with me.

 

 

Oh most holy and worthy God we come to lift your name on high. Your name that is above all names. You are highly exalted. Yahweh we bow before you. We fall at your feet in surrender with thanks in our hearts and praise on our lips. We thank you for loving us when we didn’t love ourselves. We thank you for shielding us when we knowingly walked into precarious situations. We thank you for delivering us from the hand of the enemy. We thank you that even in our disobedience you still tell us to come to you. We thank you for loving us with an everlasting love. Oh Father, what more can we say? All the glory belongs to you. As we kneel in your presence, our hearts are overcome with the sheer greatness of how truly good you’ve been to us. Let our surrender and our lifestyle of obedience demonstrate how truly grateful we are. We love you Lord. Amen.

 

 

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!
Happy to connect with these friends Sharon the Good News #DanceWithJesus, Grace & Truth, Faith n’ Friends

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Thanksgiving Menu

Greetings this Wellness Wednesday Inspired Life family. Have you finalized your Thanksgiving Menu? I thought I had mine complete then my sweet hubby added a few things so my list is growing. Thanksgiving is such an exciting day in my home. My children are uber excited at the thought of eating in the formal dining room and having some of their favorites that I make exclusively for Thanksgiving. They are all laughing and squealing with delight over the “BIG FEAST” as they call it.

 

Thanksgiving is the one time of year where I grant myself some leeway in the fat and calorie department. It’s the one time of year I use real butter and bake macaroni and cheese. Just the thought of it nearly has me salivating. So what’s on your menu? Are you making any secret family recipes? Please let me know in the comments. All of the recipes I’m making except for the Gingerbread Cake are from my head. A few I’ve jotted down and posted here on Inspired Life. For the others, I’m linking recipes that come close to what I’ll conjure up. One day I promise I’m going to write a cookbook. At least for my children’s sake, I need to move the recipes from my head to paper. One day…..

 

But for now, let the Feast begin. Oh by the way, did I mention this is a vegetarian menu?

 

Thanksgiving Menu 

 

Breakfast

 

Considering all the eating I’m planning to do later, I’m going to keep it tasty & satisfying yet light and filling all at the same time. My favorite smoothie will start the day the right way.

Apple Pie Smoothie

 

 

Lunch

 

Dinner will be around 5 but I won’t starve myself until then. Nor do I want to do too much grazing or nibbling on dinner before the actual dinner. Since I eat a salad nearly everyday for lunch, I’ll stick with my surefire routine.

Spinach Pear Salad

 

Dinner

Mmm…is all I can say. Will next Thursday please hurry and get here? The cooking will actually begin on Wednesday. Wednesday I’ll wash and chop all veggies. I’ll also make the Lentil Loaf, desserts and bake the cornbread for the dressing.

Lentil Loaf 

Macaroni & Cheese

Cornbread Dressing

My sweet Aunt Linda has entrusted me and only me with her secret recipe. I can’t divulge her secrets but here is a recipe that captures the general essence of her secret dish.

Stuffing

My 1st born who is now 11 discovered this recipe 2 years ago and she’s been making them for Thanksgiving ever since.

Maple Brussels Sprouts

Everyone in the house likes Brussels sprouts. In fact, we had Brussels for dinner last night. We just change them up a bit for Thanksgiving my adding maple and walnuts.

Orange Glazed Green Beans

Sauteed Kale

Sweet Potatoes

Whipped Butternut Squash

Cranberry Sauce

Dinner Rolls

 

Dessert

Apple Crisp

Vegan Gingerbread Bundt Cake

Every year I make one new thing. This is the 2015 new item. I’ve been happily cooking my way through Healthy Happy Vegan Kitchen. I wanted to make this cake sooner but decided to save it for this special occasion. I know it will have the house smelling divine. Now to be able to restrain everyone from eating it before Thursday will be the challenge.

 

 

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!

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Give Me 5 Days and I’ll Give You a Stress Free Week

Who said you have to be inundated with stress this holiday season? We’re on day 17 of a 20-Day Countdown to Thanksliving. On this journey we are reducing stress and embracing thanksliving by being intentional about where we focus our time, energy and efforts.  Thanksliving embodies the true spirit of what Thanksgiving is supposed to be about; not just food and the impending Black Friday but instead GIVING THANKS.

If you missed any of the days on the countdown, catch up by clicking here.

Continuing on this journey with me for the next 5 days  will duly equip you to look your frenemy stress in the face, say no thank you and proceed to bask in your week of thanks-LIVING. And we LIVE when we love. So for the next 5 days, let’s eradicate stress by choosing to love God, love our neighbor and love ourselves. We will embrace life now by beholding the beauty, majesty and splendor of the now moment and by honoring the temple.

You don’t want to miss a single post this week. So let our journey of Thanksliving continue.

autumn flowers

5 Sanity Savers for a Stress Free Week

 

  1. Give Thanks

Day 17 The Gift Of Thanksgiving

Believe

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving Colossians 2:6-7. The gift of Jesus was extended to you.  Prayerfully you received the gift with your hands extended and with gratitude.  When you receive a gift, the hope is that you keep it and use it, not for it to be regifted. Likewise, when you receive Jesus, you are expect to do as the scripture above says and walk in Him.  You don’t take what He tells you to do and discard it like the regift, but you apply His word to your life so that you are fortified and established on all sides.  And when you do this, you WILL abound in it with thanksgiving.

Do

Everything suggested in this post

 

  1. Protect Your Quiet Time

    Any manner of things is sure to crop up this week to try and rob you of your quiet time with God.  Extra running of errands, preparing your home for guests, travel, extra time spent in the kitchen, all of these distractions can aid in taking your eye off God.  Make Him your 1st appointment of the day, especially this week when activity can be a little more frenetic.

 

  1. Know When To Say NO

    Do you really need to prepare 100 cupcakes for the school?  Do you really have to visit 3 different homes on Thanksgiving day?   Protect your time and maximize on your energy and efforts by focusing on that which is essential.  Ok, I hear you.  Yup you.  You think everything is essential. Not all of you but that one person that I see cringing right now.  The task may need to be completed but does it have to be by you?  God told me several years ago, “I will grace you to do what I’ve called you to do.  If you pick up anything else, you’re on your own”.  I keep that in mind when I decide how to use my time.

 

  1. Pay It Forward

    Be intentional about listening for the Spirit’s promptings to bless another. Doing for others is equally if not more of a blessing to the giver than to the receiver.  Keep your giving in alignment by being open and listening to God.  He will prompt you on what to give and when.

 

  1. Embrace The Now Moment

    Slow down. Use your senses to connect with what is happening now.  See the last of the autumn leaves on the trees. When you are in the grocery store, slow down and look at the bounty of produce.  See the array of colors.  Perhaps the grocery store is offering some sample.  Taste and savor the flavors.  Give someone a tight embrace.  Listen to a child laugh.  Smell the intoxicating aroma of some goodies baking.

 

1 Easy Recipe for a Stress Free Week

Click here for a tasty, easy slow cooker recipe for your Thanksgiving dinner

 

I look forward to connecting with you again tomorrow as we examine how to beat the holiday blues.

 

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired to Live Fully!

Give Thanks 2014

photo credit

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Why I Choose to Embrace Thanksliving

Who doesn’t want to reduce stress?

I would venture to say we all do.  With raising 5 young children, caring for a husband who works tirelessly to provide for our family, meeting the needs of the women I serve, and running my household, I can become overwhelmed and inundated with a bevy of things to do.  The list never seems to end.  In fact, the moment you wash all the clothes, here comes another pair of socks.

To take my eye off of all the “many things to do” and to focus on what matters most, I choose to embrace Thanksliving.  That list of things to do will always be there waiting for me but an opportunity to minister to the hearts of those whom I love may not be.  I don’t want to miss a God moment in the midst of “DOING”.  I am a HUMAN BEING not a HUMAN DOING.  It is in moments of being, of giving thanks, that my perspective is aligned with HIS eternal perspective and I see how infinitely blessed am I.

So join me in my 20-Day Countdown to Thanksliving. Seven days ago I began this journey of doing away with Thanksgiving to embrace Thanksliving (Read that post here). To catch up on prior days, please visit Inspired Life on Facebook by clicking here; and while you’re there, LIKE the page because you don’t want to miss any subsequent posts.

 20-Day Countdown to Thanksliving

Day 7: The Service of Thanksgiving

Believe

You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.  This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11-12

 

Standing in a dark, rainy parking lot I unloaded my 5 children from the car. With my hands full of people, purse, laptop and workshop materials, I couldn’t even hold up an umbrella to keep from getting wet. As my sweet children proceeded to help me get everything and everyone inside, someone I know walked pass. I called her name to say hello and she immediately came over to assist. She ended up helping me further once we got inside as I need to set-up for a workshop I was delivering. Additionally, she ended up entertaining one of my children because he wasn’t comfortable without his siblings or me. I believe she had intended on attending the workshop but she surrendered her plans to allow the Lord to use her to be a blessing to me. Her availability, attentiveness and willingness to serve, gave me the opportunity to service 40 others. Her service to me was really unto God and He received it as an offering. The scripture above shows that we are blessed to be a blessing. We’ve been blessed with time, resources, abilities and more. Will we reinvest what we’ve received to be a blessing to someone else? Or will we take our blessings and keep them for our own use? I thank my sister for blessing me with her time.

 

Do

Today be more attentive, aware and sensitive of what’s happening around you. Who knows if God needs to use you to make someone else’s burden just a little lighter.

 

Reducing Stress, Embracing Thankliving

 

As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired to Live Fully!

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I’m Doing Away With Thanksgiving

Well actually…I’m reframing Thanksgiving to pursue a lifestyle of thanksliving and I urge you to join me as we as embark on a…
20-Day Countdown: Embracing Thanksliving

Thanksliving: Maintaining a heart of gratitude and thankfulness for every blessing received.

For the next 20 days I’ll post daily Thanksliving inspiration on my Facebook fan page. Then the week of Thanksgiving, I’ll post in depth coping strategies, how to’s, recipes and more on my blog. If you aren’t receiving the blog posts via email, please visit www.inspiredtolivefully.com today. Go to the blog link, fill in your email address and simply click the green button that says Get Inspired. I want you to be INTENTIONAL about following the posts that entire week. Please don’t get lost in holiday pomp and circumstance or Black Friday sales that you miss reading a post. Remember our goal is Thanksliving: reducing stress and living an Inspired Life.

Day 1: Sacrifice of Thanksgiving
Believe
And when you offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Lord, offer it of your own free will. Leviticus 22:29

When you extend thanks to the Lord for ALL He has done for you, do so voluntary, from your heart with joy and gratitude. No one needs to beg you to give thanks. Even me writing this here is not to try to make you give thanks but serves as a gentle reminder to posture yourself for thanksliving. And when you give thanks, do so lavishly and cheerfully.

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

Do
Today, record at least 5 things for which you are grateful. You will do this each day leading up to Thanksgiving. You can do this in a journal, notes on your phone, or there is even an app called 1000 Gifts that lets you keep track of what you’re grateful for (you can even add photos). Whatever method you choose, write it down.

Thanksliving: Reducing stress, embracing the Inspired Life

I’m thankful for our next 20 days together.

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