Thursday, July 14, 2011

Thankful Thursday

Linking up with Dayle at Simple Pleasures

Gratitude helps you grow and expand; gratitude brings joy and laughter into your life and into the lives of  those around you. Eileen Caddy 

This week's been hot, humid.....and wild. In spite of the high humidity, my family has graciously come with me hiking in the hills. We go in the evenings after supper and climb...... all the while my 15 year old talks non-stop and my youngest catches grasshoppers. After we hike, we drive to an isolated place ten minutes away and sit on a grassy hill....each of us reading verses. We come home happy....content.....fulfilled. 

How did this happen....that I've been given so much.....mostly the increbible peace that's replaced all the angst. It doesn't matter what happens...good or bad....He's there...always....in control. Makes me really thankful....this week for things like

-my family who are all willing to live peculiar....different.....His way....the way of kindness, the way of peace.
-lazying around and B.B.Qing with good friends
-David. My dvd drive wasn't working. I took it into a small computer shop. David, a 20 something yr. old worked on it. He asked if I was a believer. He had noticed the music. We ended up talking about how he's been pulling in different directions. I told him what faith means to me and why. He was open and when I left.....he had fixed the drive no charge and handed me a Micheal Smith tape. I promised I would come back over the summer to bug him.
-summer trips. We're heading out to the mountains....part of me still fights the fear of leaving home but the other part is excited and really grateful we can afford to do this...
-and mostly....for the way He redeems everything...even when I wonder..... how? why? Somehow He manages to use the bad for good and the good for better and better for even better then better. 
Stay cool guys!!!

19 comments:

Mollye said...

I love your simple pleasures. Thanks for sharing with us. Happy Thursday!

dawn said...

Oh I miss the mountains!!
I lived in CO for fifteen years and my husband and I intend to retire there.

For today, though, its the midwest, though there is unique beauty here! Afraid we won't be "staying cool" this weekend. Temps near 100 and that is not even discussing the humidity :(

I can be found on the lake!!!
Loved this piece - sounded so PERFECT!! Just like Him
~d

Wanda's Wings said...

"He's there...always....in control." This is what makes life worth living. Have a great weekend with your wonderful family.

Debbie said...

This is a wonderful list of thanksgiving. My favorite one this week was David. It's incredibly cool to me how God used your broken technology to open a door between you and someone who needed you and mostly HIM.

You are a blessing. Do you know that?

Kay K said...

Thanks for sharing such a great post I love that I too know that ....He's there...always....in control. Makes me really thankful....this week for things like family , friends etc ........

Dustine said...

Wow. That is great you were able to talk about Christ with the eclectronics guy. Wonderful how you were so open. :)
Blessings

Kathleen said...

Hiking in the hills after the heat of the day is gone sounds great to me. A wonderful simple pleasure.

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

Always inspiring, Sarah. Have a lovely vacation.

Ginny Hartzler said...

I live in the mountains, and you will love it!! They are really spiritually renewing...I love the story of David, wonderful how God puts people together!!

Trish said...

I'm a mountain girl myself :-)
Isn't the Lord wonderful?!
He uses you so well, my friend.
You bring Him much joy!
Have a fantstic (and cool) holiday amongst the mountains tops.
blessings..Trish

RCUBEs said...

I could imagine the peace surrounding you...Wait...in you! :) That is an awesome gift from the Best Giver!

Have a fun and safe vacation! God bless and protect you sister.

Chatty Crone said...

I love the things you are grateful for. Doesn't it make you feel good too?

Mevely317 said...

Wow. I came home tired and this has just lifted me up! I think I was most touched by your family accompanying you on your hikes ... what love!

Angel said...

We just returned from the mountains - such a wonderful respite from the heat. I know you will enjoy it immensely. Be blessed!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

How awesome to go for walks after dinner. We go to Mammoth Lakes, CA in a few weeks. I can't wait to be in the mountains. Have a blessed weekend.

Michelle said...

How wonderful to sit on a grassy hill reading Bible verses. It doesn't get much better than that.

Barbara Neubeck said...

Hi Sarah,
Mountain climbing after dinner with the family sounds a perfect way to relax and see God in Nature. Have a lovely holiday..
God Bless
Barb from Australia

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

What a nice young man...he was trained well, and expressed his faith...totally awesome
Enjoy those mountains....it is still over 100 here

Of One Heart said...

I need to meet you to know you're real. You're too good to be true and I adore you.