Grateful Friday



I'm grateful for our time at the beach this week...real relaxing time.

When things are swirling around you, chaos and grief, it is next to impossible to relax. I can say that I am grateful to my very core than I was able to fully relax finally, as we strolled the beach and sat and had a wonderful visit with my Dad and Connie.

I'm grateful for warm sand and water to splash my feet in.

I'm grateful for itty-bitty rocks that look like watermelon seeds.

I'm grateful for my best friend.

I'm grateful for a wonderful hug from my Daddy.

I'm grateful for yummy hummus and flatbread leftovers.

I'm grateful for the wind in my hair and seagulls floating in the sky.

I'm grateful for the sound of crashing waves and far-off buoy bells.

I'm so very grateful that we were able to meet to lament the destruction of the Temple on Tisha b'Av...and that the LORD met us there.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve and facilitate service.

I'm grateful for the beautiful sunshine.

I'm grateful for Chinese take-out.

I'm grateful that the LORD hears my prayers.

I'm grateful for coolers, beach chairs and sunglasses.

I'm grateful for cool nights so everyone can sleep.

I'm grateful for other bloggers.

I'm grateful that a friend gets to go to Israel!

I'm oh-so grateful for the Chaverim.

I'm grateful we get to travel.

I'm grateful to be off duty for a few days.

I'm grateful for cheap hotels, Subway sandwiches and audio books.

I'm gratefully looking forward to studying the parashah on the road.

I'm grateful for our recorded liturgy.

I'm grateful for heart-to-heart talks with my boys.

I'm grateful for people with good character who are not afraid to do the right things.

I'm grateful for opportunities to model and teach love, acceptance and compassion.

I'm grateful for adoring looks from my cat.

I'm grateful for this poem written by Christian author, speaker and teacher Beth Moore.  It is so very good, I had to share it here:

My name is Pride. I am a cheater.
I cheat you of your God-given destiny…
because you demand your own way.
I cheat you of contentment…
because you “deserve better than this.”
I cheat you of knowledge…
because you already know it all.
I cheat you of healing…
because you are too full of you to forgive.
I cheat you of holiness…
because you refuse to admit when you are wrong.
I cheat you of vision…
because you’d rather look in the mirror than out a window.
I cheat you of genuine friendship…
because nobody’s going to know the real you.
I cheat you of love…
because real romance demands sacrifice.
I cheat you of greatness in heaven…
because you refuse to wash another’s feet on earth.
I cheat you of God’s glory…
because I convinced you to seek your own.
My name is Pride. I am a cheater.
You like me because you think I’m always looking out for you.
Untrue.
I’m looking to make a fool of you.
God has so much for you, I admit, but don’t worry…
If you stick with me you’ll never know.

What are you grateful for this week?

Comments

Ari C'rona said…
Yes, that poem is amazing!

I'm grateful for our opportunity to travel this weekend!

I'm grateful for time at the beach this week.

I'm grateful for my family.

I'm grateful for time to doink around in my garden.

I'm grateful for the most wonderful friends anyone could have.

I'm grateful for opportunities to pray for and encourage each other.
Mama Cache said…
The poem is truth, truth, truth.

I'm grateful for

...negative/normal test results from the MRI

...watching the sunset from a lazy river raft

...the company of very little people

...watching my older kids prepare for their semesters away from home (bittersweet, but I'm thankful)

...birthday #21 for my second-born tomorrow -- can't believe this!

...so much
...
Stacy Christian said…
I'm grateful for relief from our heatwave.

I'm grateful for native prairie plants that need nothing from me.

I'm grateful for the butterflies that love the native prairie plants.

I'm grateful for people who are passionate about shared hobbies...and their patience with my endless questions.

I'm grateful for a husband with "skills", and his willingness to employ them to make my life easier.--->

I'm ever so grateful for a cage system that can be cleaned in 10 minutes--with no lifting involved.

I'm grateful for vacuum cleaners (seriously, with 40+ shedding things in the house...).

I'm grateful for children who are getting more self sufficient every day.