New Beginnings

When I think of Spring, my thoughts go to new beginnings—trees budding and blossoming, daffodils and tulips erupting from the ground, and warmer temperatures. Here in Middle Tennessee, Spring also brings plenty of rain.

We lived in New Mexico during Nashville’s floods in 2010, but during the weekend of March 27, we experienced the area’s second largest rainfall with over seven inches. One of our favorite places to walk has been closed because of flooding. We are thankful another location reopened and that it didn’t flood where we live with our daughter and her family.

My 2021 verses, as I mentioned in an earlier blog, A New Year Filled With Joy, are 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
(NIV)

Give thanks in all circumstances. Besides keeping us dry through the downpours, God has blessed us with precious time with our daughter and her family, along with our son and his family. He kept us safe and warm during several days in February while stranded at the house because an abundance of snow caused a slippery subdivision.

I’m keeping a gratitude journal this year to remind myself of God’s goodness. Every day I add something for which I am grateful. Often, it’s sunshine since Tennessee isn’t as bright and cheery as New Mexico. Other times it’s something to do with my writing or a church service we attended. I’ve also noted thankfulness for God’s Word and how it strengthens me and fills me with hope. I’ve been grateful for simple things too—café mochas, walks along the river, holding my husband’s hand, laughing with family, watching birds outside my window, and a good night’s sleep.

Although it may seem odd, I often thank the Lord when our offer on a house isn’t accepted. God knows what we need and if it doesn’t work out for a specific house, then I believe it’s not where He wants us. He has a plan for us, and I trust Him with that.

My verses say to be thankful in all circumstances. I believe I am. New beginnings are all around me. In His time, a new home will belong to my family and me too.

---

Photo by Laura Ockel - Unsplash

Gratitude

In June I became more mindful of gratitude. To note items in a journal didn’t work for me, but when a friend suggested an app, I got on board. During June and July, I made entries 33% of the days. That was good for me! Since then, I’ve only updated the app twice.

As I reviewed my entries, I found a recurring theme—I love sunshine! Additional items I noted more than once included God’s peace and blessings, spending time with my husband and family, and good health. Other things I was grateful for included lunch with friends, my church, worship music, and being appreciated.

As Thanksgiving draws near, I’d like to share a few other blessings I am grateful for in my life.

• My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I cannot imagine my life without God.

•  My husband’s love and commitment to the Lord, our family, and me. I am a blessed woman.

This year’s blessings include the following:

• My eldest daughter and her excitement over my first two books along with the love we share for hiking trails and photography. I’ve enjoyed our time together.

• My son and his love for family games, even though he likes some games that I think are odd. I enjoy playing them with him and his family.

• My youngest daughter who cons me into buying her stuff she doesn’t need and teaches me new dance steps that I cannot do well. I enjoy spending time with her, anyway.

• The ladies in my Bible study group who pray for me and bless me.

• My writing critique partners and first readers of my novel who have encouraged me and given me honest feedback to improve my story.

• Those who have subscribed to my website’s email list and those who enjoy my blog posts and leave comments or share my posts on Social Media.

• Two devotions accepted this year for online publishing. One posted on christiandevotions.us in September, and one is scheduled to post on www.cbn.com on November 23. Also, I was a guest blogger on Suite T-The Author’s Blog.

• A recent blessing—I am thankful to have signed a contract for a three-book series with Winged Publications, Forget Me Not Romances. Book 1 is coming soon!

I am grateful for many things, although I don’t write them down as I should. I do thank God for them all.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

(Psalm 118:1, NIV)

Do you keep a gratitude journal? Please share something for which you are thankful.