Thoughts of Grace

I am grateful for
an early Christmas present – fantastically soft fleece sheets! ooooooo, ahhhhhhh
thanks to Aaron, Alyce, Alex, Adam, and Anthony
a good nites rest, leftovers for lunch, project – 3 quilts done and 6 bears 1/4 done for Quilt’m by Sunshine Designs, and the ability and love of sewing

Memorable moment – It doesn’t matter how she feels – a welcoming smile and hug is what I receive when I visit my friend Karla, in a care home facility. We visit, sing a hymn, read a devotion/scripture and pray together. A little bit of peace in a chaotic world.

1st step – determined one more day.
This is really the hardest part of this challenge
and it’s probably the best part of the challenge, but it hurts.

Meditation from Sunday AM Message
Matthew 2:10-11
When they saw the star, they were thrilled with ecstatic joy. 11 And on going into the house, they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then opening their treasure bags, they presented to Him gifts-gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Micah 6:6-8
With what shall I come before the Lord dnd bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, With calves a year old?
Will the Lord be delighted with thousands of rams or with ten thousand rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, and to love kindness and mercy, and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God?
Selah

#30dayhappinesschallenge
#memorablemoments
#thankingsomeone
#firststepthehardest
#Selahpauseandconsider

My Memorable Moment comes first:
Sunday, the day of the Christmas play at church.
I was asked to be in charge of the food served
after the play,mainly finger foods and desserts.

Historically, we have the greatest number of visitors at this event.
I talked with others who had been in charge of the food planning and very carefully made my plans and asked families of the congregation to bring finger food, desserts, fruit, veggie trays, sandwiches and pizza. Each on asked were willing to help. I reminded each on that we usually have many visitors and to please be generous in the amount they planned on bringing.
5:00 came. The play starts at 5:30.
All most all the food had arrived.
the question began raising it’s worrisome head –
“Did I plan for enough food?”
5:45 – head count – 280+ – 100 people more than planned for!
Wise heads conferred.
Gleaners were sent out.
More pizza, Subway sandwiches, macaroni and potato salad and layered chip dip arrived.
“Lord, We have done what we could.”

We ran out of chips – didn’t think to ask the gleaners to get some.

There were leftovers!
part of a German chocolate cake, a vanilla cake, a part of a dutch apple pie, a few cinnamon rolls, some veggie tray veggies, one and half chicken/cranberry sandwiches, 3 tangerines and a small amount of sliced ham.
Praise God from who all blessing flow.

I am grateful for god’s provision, willing workers, generous food prepare-rs, happy dishwashers, and an awesome clean-up crew.

Today I am especially thankful for the many who came to me and asked “what can I do?” and the even more whom I asked for help and received willing hands, feet and smiles.

1st step: On my feet moving almost continually from 4:00-8:30.
I don’t know how many steps.
Sometimes my heart rate increased.
I’m counting this.

Meditation for 5 minutes:
Thinking on this scripture Romans 15:1-3 Amplified
We who are strong [in our convictions and of robust faith] ought to bear with the failings and the frailties and tender scruples of the weak; [we ought to help carry the doubts and qualms of others] and not just please ourselves. 2 Let each one of us make it a practice to please (make happy) his neighbor for his good and for true welfare, to edify him [to strengthen him and build him up spiritually], 3 For Christ did not please Himself [gave no thought to His own interests]; but as it is written The reproaches and abusers of those who reproached and abused you fell on Me.
Christ is our perfect example. Selah