I wish you lived next door. Because if you did, I’d bring over a basket of chocolate chip banana nut muffins. Homemade muffins always seem to make people smile. Especially when they’re unexpected.
Today seems like a good day for muffins because it’s gray outside. And a few of my friends have been blue inside. Muffins help on days like today.
But I can’t bake muffins for you. And I can’t hug you through this screen. And that actually made me feel a little sad. Because if you’re having a hard day ~ or season ~ there’s nothing I’d like better than to make you smile.
But just when I felt hopeless about my inability to cheer you, I read Ann’s blog about “therapy that calms the heart.” It’s really tremendous. In it she said …
Thanks therapy is God’s prescription for joy. ~ Ann Voskamp
It’s true. Thanking God is a prescription for joy. And that’s better than muffins and better than a hug.
Thanking when you feel sad. And thanking when you feel glad. Thanking Him in all things.
And then I remembered this little ‘give thanks‘ spoon I got in Warrenton with Cat. I was planning on pulling it out for my Thanksgiving table but I decided that we all might need it today instead … as a reminder of the best therapy of all.
To enter to win this ‘give thanks’ spoon, simply say one thing you’re thankful for today.
And I’ll start … as I sat down to write this post, my college aged daughter walked in and surprised me. Oh, joy!
more free stuff?
check out day 15: free fossil handbag
For the whole 31 days of enough (and you get free stuff), the rules:
1) Only one entry per giveaway item. 2) You are eligible to win only one item a week. 3) Entries on this item open until 5 pm (CST) on Friday 10/19/12. 4) Winners must live in the contiguous United States. This week’s winners will be announced on Saturdays (10/20) on my blog. Please check your email promptly if you’re announced as a winner.
Backyard Vintage :: simple thanksgiving
Just started a diet? Frustrated? Don’t give up!!
… US billionaires give away half their fortune
Vintage Reads: Grace Livingston Hill
That spoon is too cute ! I am thankful that I got to spend an entire day working here in my home….all by myself, all alone. It was great !! Loved every minute.
A little over a month ago I had a total knee replacement. As you can imagine life has changed a bit
for me and it will be awhile before it is back to “normal”… what ever that is. What this has reminded me is what wonderful friends the Lord has placed in my life… and what a good job I did in raising my daughter. I am thankful to my Lord and Savior for bringing into my life those wonderful people and blessing me with such a wonderful daughter.
i’m thankful to live close enough to the Great Smoky Mtns National Park for a day-trip get away (like I had yesterday)
Thankful for the contractors that showed up this morning! We are in the midst of a kitchen remodel and are having family visit for Thanksgiving. I’m still not sure if we’ll have a functioning kitchen in 4 weeks, but I’m thankful every day that someone shows up to work on it!
Thankful that on my long drive to work I get to marvel at the GORGEOUS orange, yellow, and red leaves!
Today I was thankful for being a Christian. We were supposted to have left today for Gatlinburg TN. The Lord was giving us little hints all week, things like little electrical things on the motor home got them fixed. Then my husbands truck engine light came on, got that taken care of. Got in the jeep this morning and the change oil light came on got that Done. Then we were about a half hour from leaving and both my husband and my phone went off, his, big termite job that had to be finished today then the big one…. The weather advisory for Memphis ( where we were headed) high wind warning and tornado watch till midnight.. WHEN THE LORD SPEAKS… YOU LISEN SO WE ARE LEAVING TOMORROW.. Thank you lord for the hints. I’m so thankful…
Praise be. God’s taking care of y’all. :)
I am thankful for dirt. God has put super good dirt in my garden so that I can plant flowers, flowers, and more flowers. When I dig in the dirt, my heart smiles because I realize that God put this dirt in my garden not just for me, but for others. God has given me the opportunity to share his beauty. Whenever I give someone a boquet of flowers, my heart overflows with His joy. I know that He is smiling on me when I’m in the cool dirt. I smile back and say, “Thank you, Father :)
I am so thankful for great friends and laughter. Nothing lifts your spirits like a good ol’ cackle!
Thankful for friends that point me to the Lord…every time.
i’m thankful for the late afternoon sun making red-tipped leaves glow. and thankful for the encouragement that your blog is to me!
I am thankful for the opportunity to be a better grandmother than I was mother. Now I am less busy, less stressed, less driven. I am much more aware of the importance of time, attention, and affection. Though, in my defense, I didn’t do too badly as a Mom because my daughter is incredible and I am grateful for that also!
I am thankful that my husband’s carotid artery surgery went well last week and that today the doctor said he could resume all activities.
What a nice idea for your daughter to surprise you with a visit .. My sweet daughter Sara did that last spring, girls can be so special !
Thankful for a nice cup of tea to bathe my sore throat!
LOVE the vintage inscribed spoon!!! Goodness. I am thankful for my son, who is a senior in highschool, and for all the opportunities that lie ahead in terms his college choice etc.
Beautiful spoon … but even more beautiful is the one who brings good news. Thanks for being that one who brought the good news today, Susie!
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Isaiah 52:7 (NIV)
I am thankful for my two young children, Noah and Lilliana (ages 2 and 5). They have such a heart for God. My son (5) says The Lord’s Prayer before each meal, before bed, and anytime in between when he believes it is appropriate. My daughter (2) bows her head, puts her “prayer hands” together, and says “Amen” when she hears her brother say ‘Amen’. Precious moments.
I don’t need the precious spoon. I have finally learned that I don’t have to possess beautiful things to enjoy them. So the photo here on your website will be enough for me. I just wanted to let you know that you are making a difference in my life. I’m much too intimidated to create a blog, but I am keeping a private journal for these thirty-one days: One Day at a Time, Finding Joy. It is a clear outline of God’s complete faithfulness! Even on the dreariest days this month, He has provided something wonderful! Amazing!
Dodie ~ I love the idea of you writing your 31 day journal about God’s great faithfulness. And thank you for encouraging me
Your comment is such a gift to me.
Love you.
What a beautiful response, Dodie. You encourage me too ♥
I’m thankful for you! Oh, and your chocolate coconut pie.
As today is Bosses Day, I am thankful that I have a flexible, understanding, considerate and generous boss. :) (And a job!)
As I listen to the Presidential Debate, I am grateful that I am an American, and I have the right to VOTE. Amen.
Today I was thankful to be a stay at home mom that could work at my daughters school in the art room…it’s a long day! 2 – 1st grade and 3 – 2nd grade classes!!! I have been sick all weekend and I barely have a voice but they were pretty good so I didn’t have to raise my voice to get their attention :)
I am thankful for a husband that loves me and encourages me daily. When I am down he gives regular words of encouragement.
I can’t believe I am putting my hat in the ring for stuff. Not a stuff person… But my daughter is getting married in December and I would love for her to have a spoon that tangibly reminds her and her (growing) family to always ‘Give thanks’.
Today I am thankful for boys who grow into godly men. Warriors for both God and his people. Love you and love what you do.
Today I am grateful for my health and the health of my entire family. I am blessed beyond measure…
Kelly,
Just had to share this … I posted this same phrase “blessed beyond measure” elsewhere less than 10 minutes from the time you posted this comment. What a surprise when I saw your post this morning (and a nice reminder)! And aren’t we all blessed beyond measure, but sometimes we forget when life gets hard. That’s when we really need this “thanks therapy!’
Its Fall in Virginia and everyday I am thankful for the beauty that God created. Walking through the crunchy leaves or basking in the warm sun, I am thankful for our world.
I’m thankful for this fall weather in Austin. I love it!
I am grateful to my Father who is a father to the fatherless.
I have said it before and i will say it again..so thankful for this blog and all the love and encouragement shared here!:)
I am thankful that my college-aged daughter is coming home Thursday night so that we can all go celebrate my mother-in-law’s 80th birthday! So thankful :)
I’ve been counting gifts what Ann V for a while now. Today I hit 1200 on this year’s list. Today I am thankful for warm blankets and new mercies. What an awesome reminder in that spoon!
In the midst of cold and flu season at our house, I wrote a post (today) about the things I should be thinking on when I get discouraged… and thankfulness was at the center of that. What a great token-reminder this sweet spoon would be!
And p.s. all that FLUFF in the first comment when I meant to start with how thankful I am for our family’s health!!! =)