Saturday, October 12, 2013

Weekend Grats

I realized when I got up this morning, that although I thought several times last night, "I need to write my Grat post today." that I never got it done. However, I was grateful yesterday for many things.

  • I was really grateful that even though I was glad it was Friday I hadn't been anticipating it all week and had a really good week at work.
  • I was grateful for the challenge in the book I was reading to try to become a morning person in order to really have the time and energy to pursue my dreams and passions. (More on that can be found on my other blog.)
  • I was grateful for a new coat from Lands End that I purchased from a swap site for only $30 - it's a great coat and should keep me plenty warm in that "season which shall not be named"!
  • I was grateful for a grocery store trip to the local grocery store in Slater - there's something about the quaint little small town grocery store that is fun. The selection is more limited, but sometimes for me that is a good thing... less impulse buying!
  • I was grateful for an enjoyable evening relaxing and getting to bed at a decent hour.
Then came this morning... and it came early... Saturday morning and I was up around 5:00 a.m. - even took this picture to prove it! ;-) I woke up before my alarm and felt well rested. Now THAT is something to be grateful for!

But there's more!
  • I'm grateful that getting up this morning wasn't a chore - I woke up refreshed and excited for the day ahead of me.
  • I'm grateful for sweet time in the Word this morning and a cup of nice hot coffee to go with it.
  • I continue to be grateful for the steadfast love of the Lord. As I am reading the Psalms for the 2nd time this year I continue to be amazed at how many times that phrase is used.
  • I am thankful for a nice 1.5 mile walk/jog under the stars this morning. (*note to self - next time, walk/jog first, THEN read and drink coffee - doing it in the other order is a BAD idea!)
  • I am grateful for accomplishing some goals this morning.... I wrote over 1,600 words this morning and might not be done writing for the day yet (and that doesn't count these words!) I also finished a book and started another one.
  • I am grateful for grace that I can give myself - I didn't accomplish everything I wanted to today but still have some of the evening to get a few things done and I have tomorrow as well. I am thankful I am learning to be not so hard on myself when things don't go the way I want them to (which is more often than not!)
  • I am thankful that I am tired... as strange as that sounds, I need to get into a routine of going to bed early on the weekends so I can meet my goals of keeping my schedule during the week.
  • I am thankful for this time of year - I love the cool mornings and the temperatures are looking perfect in the forecast. Although the "season which shall not be named" is coming up, this time of year is filled with such beauty and I can not wait to start feeling the crunching of the leaves beneath my feet as I walk/jog during this time of year.


I continue to be ever grateful for all of you.

Sherri

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Crazy Day Grats

This morning at work, I was on my way back to my office from the rest room and got a glimpse of the sunrise from the door to outside. I had to go out and take a picture... this picture from my phone doesn't nearly do it justice, but it was breathtaking! As much as I hate getting up in the mornings - seeing things such as this are definitely worth it! God is an amazing artist!


  • I am grateful today for God's artistry... the beauty of this picture is just amazing and even though it isn't nearly as awesome as it was live, I'm glad I captured it... thanks in large part to my small bladder and constant rest room runs! ;-)
  • I am grateful today for sweet time in God's Word this morning and reminders to press on toward the call of God in my life. (Phil. 3:14), that we should rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS (Phil 4:1), that I don't need to be anxious about anything but can take all my requests to God (Phil. 4:6), that God gives peace that SURPASSES ALL understanding (Phil. 4:7), that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13), and that God will supply all of my needs (Phil. 4:19). I was also reminded what my focus needs to be on: "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." It is hard to get up early enough in the morning to spend quality time in the Word but I am striving to do so - it makes a world of difference in my day when I do. I do have the Bible on CD and can listen on my way to work, but there's something about sitting down with a cup of coffee at the table and just concentrating on reading the Word and hearing from God.
  • I am grateful for a sweet time of prayer this morning. I'm not going into details here because a full blog will likely be coming on it later, but I am simply amazed at how the Living God, the Creator of the Universe calls me His daughter and I can talk to Him as my best friend. I am so amazed at His steadfast love and how no matter what I do, how I fail, NO MATTER WHAT - His love for me stays the same. He is SO good!
  • I am grateful today for how God is changing my attitude. Today was an absolutely crazy day at work... it was one thing after the other... strange things... things that have almost never happened occurred today. At one point I thought I saw the light at the end of the tunnel... then I realized the light was a train and it soon ran me and my boss right over! A couple of weeks ago I would have called today one of the worst days ever... instead God gave me grace to handle what I needed to and I only got short tempered once or twice. Granted, I would have rather not gotten short tempered at all, but in the past I would have been much worse and seeing progress is awesome! And, when I fail... God's grace meets me right where I am.
I am grateful for you...

Sherri

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Grats From my Couch

I'm writing tonight's gratitude list from the comfort of my own couch. I am thankful that I was able to figure out how to work having Internet at home into my budget. With all I'm doing with the blogging, writing, my book, etc... social media is really important and I realized I needed to have it at home. (Of course I recognize "need" in this sense isn't need in a food and water type of need... but it will make doing the things I am trying to do much easier having Internet access at home.)

  • I am thankful I found good service with my local provider and am not locked into a contract. It took all of about 5 minutes to hook it up this afternoon and I'm good to go.
  • I am grateful for time in the Word this morning... Psalm 33:20-22 particularly struck me: "Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you." Such powerful words here. I am again struck by the phrase steadfast love... it just keeps repeating over and over and over. If God mentions that phrase so many times in His Word there has to be a reason - I really feel like He is emphasizing this point to us. His love truly amazes me and I am so grateful that His love is steadfast... it is immovable, never changing... no matter how much I change... God's love NEVER changes!
  • I am thankful for a great day at work... it's amazing how a change in my attitude has made work so much more pleasant!
  • I am grateful for my kitties... as I type, Miss Molly is curled up on the couch looking adorable and Buddy is curled up by my side purring away. I love my babies!
  • I am grateful for enjoying this week... for not constantly wishing for the day or week to be over... but learning to live in the NOW and enjoy each moment.
I am grateful for you...

Sherri

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Quick Grats for the Day!

  • I'm so thankful for constant reminders of God's steadfast love!
  • I'm grateful for grace! No matter how often I screw up... and I DO screw up... God's grace NEVER EVER lets me down.
  • I'm grateful that I was able to look at my budget and figure out I can get Internet back at home. It's been a bit stressful without it... trying to do my website, some changes I want to do, blogging, etc. I will be going with local service from Huxley this time and look forward to much better service than I had before! I know many friends who are very happy with them. 
  • I'm grateful for a meeting with my mentor this afternoon. She has such a loving spirit and is so encouraging and challenges me to be more like Christ every day!
  • I'm grateful for friends... without them I'd be a mess! I am truly blessed with the BEST friends!
With gratitude,

Sherri

Monday, October 7, 2013

Thankful Reminders


 Today I am thankful for a couple of great reminders from God's Word:
  • Phil. 1:6 "And I am sure of this - that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
  • Phil. 1:27 "Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ..."
 I'm so thankful that God never gives up on me and He will complete His work in me!

I'm also grateful for the reminder to live my life in a worthy manner in all that I do!
  
I am grateful for my time with my "younger big brother" It was fun to just chat and catch up a bit. I'm gonna miss not seeing him every Sunday, but thanks to modern technology, he'll never be too far away.

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Blessed Beyond Measure

  • I am grateful today for the cooler weather.  I love this time of year and truly enjoy having my windows open and snuggling under a blanket because of the cool breeze coming into my apartment.
  • I am grateful today for a wonderful morning of worship.  I love singing praises to my Lord and being under the teaching of God's Word.  We wrapped up a series on the Hope of Heaven today and as if I wasn't already longing for Heaven, the longing is even stronger now.  I'm thankful for sweet fellowship with my family after the service.  I am truly blessed beyond measure.
  • I am grateful for washing machines being available when I went to do my laundry. I spent several years in an apartment with my own washer and dryer and got quite spoiled.  I am grateful that today I didn't have to wait, but could get my laundry going when I wanted to.  Sometimes it really is the little things!
  • I am grateful for the Sabbath. I need this day especially this week as I've been feeling especially overwhelmed.  I'm thankful for time to relax, watch football, do some writing and snuggle with my kitties.
  • I am grateful for God helping me to write a "thank you" card that was especially difficult to write.  Being a writer, I can usually find words to express myself, but this one was hard... my words seem so inadequate to express the depth of gratitude to this special person in my life.
  • I am grateful that the lies of the enemy are being smothered by the Truth of Christ!
  • I am grateful that no matter how I feel, God always remains the same... His character doesn't change no matter how I feel.
With gratitude,
Sherri