PORCH
a soft place to land
a calm weekend haven
a gentle pause from life's busyness
so we may experience
the tender lovingkindness of Jesus
as we do life together
in community
in community
Every evening this past week, I've been jotting down 4 random happenstances that have sparked gratitude in my expectant soul. No overthinking or analyzing. Serendipitous gifts that remind me again that God is in the details of life's dailyness. All the details, all the time.
SUNDAY
smart chickens that quickly outwitted a menacing hawk
a quiet afternoon car ride with hot chocolate in hand
adding an overflowing autumn basket to the mantel
windchimes clanging loudly on a gusty, starless night
MONDAY
warm woolen socks for chilly feet on a frigid morn
ferreting out the best bargains for the food pantry
the calming scent of a honey-crisp apple candle
the company of spiritual companion Henri Nouwen
TUESDAY
iron-sharpens-iron relationships
God's kindest grace when memories of Mom are triggered
walking the labyrinth praying 1 Samuel 3:10 & John 14:27
chowing down the best bbq ribs ever
WEDNESDAY
my childhood blanket warms me on a short beach walk
my childhood blanket warms me on a short beach walk
Christmas lights glow on windowsills
reconnecting with old friends
a doorstopper of a new novel
THURSDAY
Spirit's presence at an awesome worship service
Thanksgiving chicken pie picnic on the porch
the welcome sound of laughter & little feet running through the house
sheer joy of an afternoon nap before more pies take center stage
'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
'Tis the gift to come down where I ought to be;
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed;
to turn, turn, will be my delight.
Till by turning, turning we come round right.
Joseph Brackett
1797 - 1882
I can't wait to hear about your Thanksgiving week, the simple gifts you've given and received, your thoughts as Advent begins, and all little miracles that have come from the hands of our gracious God ...
Linda
Your week was certainly filled with extra-special blessings, Linda, and you took the time to acknowledge them, as we all should. Being grateful is a continual state of mind and heart.
ReplyDeleteMay your Advent season be blessed!
Martha, yes please to continuing to cultivate thanksgiving ... it's helpful to see it in black and white, pen to paper.
Delete✍️
Happy Advent!
ReplyDeleteCan you believe it's that time of year already? Last time I looked it was summer ...
Delete🕯️
"a quiet afternoon car ride with hot chocolate in hand" How do you manage to drive with a hot chocolate in hand? Do you have a coffee/hot chocolate maker in the car? I want one. But she refuses to come driving with me because she says I go too fast and it spills the hot chocolate all over her.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Victor, I'd LOVE a deluxe hot chocolate maker in the car. I'd make good use of it when my personal chauffeur carries me around town. As always, you come up with the most brilliant ideas ... but whoever 'she' is sounds like a REALLY wise woman.
Delete☕
Love the idea of writing down four thankfuls every evening. Reminds me of when I did Ann Voskamps 1,000 Gifts idea years ago. I counted up to 1387 gifts and then just stopped for some reason. I need to get back to it!
ReplyDelete1387. Wow, Jerralea. Yep, it all started with Ann's 1000 Gifts, me, too. If you get back to your list, I hope you'll write about it. Please let me know!
Delete📑
So… what’s the door stopper???? Inquiring minds!
ReplyDeleteFellowship Point by Alice Elliott Dark
Deletehttps://amzn.to/3VacYvm (hear or read a sample)
I'm about 1/3 of the way through. So far, I'm giving it ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Let's see if that holds.
ooh ... and it's set in Maine!
DeleteGod is in the details of life’s dailyness…so true. Have a lovely weekend, Linda!
ReplyDeleteYou, too, Pam. Can you believe Advent is about to begin?!
Delete📅
I agree, there is always something to be thankful for! I can't believe how quickly Christmas is coming.
ReplyDeleteAnd you get to celebrate in your new home! May it be a very special year of preparation.
Delete🏡
love, love, love this list, especially afternoon naps and Henri Nouwen.
ReplyDeleteThere is something so very satisfying about a list or two, isn't there.
Delete😇
What a delightful week though had Linda!
ReplyDeleteWe don't celebrate Thanksgiving in Australia but I love the idea!
I'm grateful for so many blessings in my life, one being the blogging community!
Bless you, Jennifer
Amen to the encouraging, uplifting community the Lord has woven us all into. I couldn't be more blessed.
Delete🥰
I admit, I started the week sad and bitter because of my cousins not allowing me to spend my usual pre-Thanksgiving week with my elderly aunt. It festered all week into Thanksgiving morning. I'm used to a house packed to the gills and there was going to be only 8 of us this year. I still cooked for 18, not enjoying any of it. But then God slipped into the middle of my day. I looked around my table at who was there and realized that calm and quiet could be good. That those who came were meant to be there with me. That I could actually sit and have a conversation. That I could share leftovers. That we could play cards until late in the evening. And it was good..........different, but good.........and I was blessed and grateful...............
ReplyDeleteValerie, thanks for sharing your story with us. Don't you just love when God gives us those wake-up calls and shows us all the gifts He's giving right in the middle of our sadness, hurt, bitterness. The calm, the quiet, the ones who are there, conversations, leftovers, games, the blessings right and left.
DeleteHe knows what we need. And maybe this year it wasn't 18 people. Yes, yes.
Praise.
🎁
Some of your "thankfuls" triggered "Me too's" from me: warm woolen socks, a lovely candle scent (Yankee Candle's Autumn Wreath is one of our favorites), iron-sharpens-iron relationships (and the privilege of mentoring two delightful young women), the Spirit's presence at an awesome worship service (the last two Sundays have been particularly uplifting), and laughter and little feet running through the house (Wed/Thurs till we returned to their house for Thanksgiving dinner). I'd also add the luxury of seat-warmers in the car!
ReplyDeleteSeat-warmers! How could I have left this off the list?!
Delete🚙
What a beautiful practice to remember that "God is in the details of life's dailyness," Linda. To fix our hearts on God's daily grace hugs, those things we easily take for granted. Love and blessings of a hope-filled and peaceful Advent Season!
ReplyDeleteI like how you put that, Trudy ... 'God's daily grace hugs.' All we need He provides. We only have to ask.
Delete✝️
These are some great things to be thankful for.
ReplyDeleteI hope your Thanksgiving was calm and bright, friend.
Delete☀️
What a beautiful list of things to be thankful for! My Thanksgiving week has been busy and unexpected! I am not at home due to a family emergency, however, God has blessed us through this experience and I am so thankful! The little things I am grateful for this week include: Caring for my grandson while he's been sick with a bad cold. It has been a joy to do that while my daughter is recovering from an injury. I am thankful for having to "shoo" her frisky kittens out of the Christmas tree I put up in her home. They put a big smile on my face! I am thankful my husband arrived today after not being with him for 2 weeks! I am thankful for the beautiful weather here. I am thankful that my daughter is healing. And, I am thankful that she and her children will be coming to live with us once again! But, what I am most thankful for right now is that God has been showing me blessings even through a difficult situation. The gifts we receive from Him aren't always what we expect, but they are always so, so good!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to be right in the middle of a family emergency and yet see the blessings. Jo, this is such an encouragement to all of us who've experienced family situations and find it hard to see God's hand in the middle of it.
DeleteHis joy shines right through your words, friend. Your presence here is a gift to us all. May God bless your family with a healing touch as you walk through this hard time.
😇
Sounds like a lovely and fulfilling week, Linda! I enjoyed crafting Mayflower ships out of paper plates with my grands and great-grands this week!
ReplyDeleteOh I love that, June! I had no idea you are a great-grandma. What joy.
Delete🥰
Full week. We must have read the same page. But as you say at the end: there is always something to be thankful for. Hope you had a wonderful, grateful Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteIt was a great weekend. Different from other years, but with blessings and joys all its own. I'd do a Thanksgiving picnic on the porch all over again! Absolutely.
Delete🍽️
It's so good to remember our blessings, big and small! We had a sweet Thanksgiving, as well. A grown granddaughter and her husband hosted and prepared the meal for a small family group. And it was such a blessing!
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love when the next generation takes the reins for family gatherings?! Yet another reason to be thankful.
Delete😎
Linda, I love stopping by your porch -- it's an invitation to bask in God's lovingkindness. Oh how I need to be reminded of this huge part of His character. It's also an invitation to simplicity and a time to reflect on what I'm grateful for. So thankful for a quiet and simple Thanksgiving -- just what I needed.
ReplyDeleteBlessings friend,
Bev xx
Sometimes a quiet and simple day is what we're truly craving ... and are afraid to admit lest someone be hurt! I'm glad you were able to experience that serendipity of a gentle holiday, friend. And I hope you're doing well.
DeleteMay His lovingkindness pour out on you today.
💦
Taking time for gratitude is a practice that benefits you and your relationship with God. Thank you for sharing these simple gifts with us. I love Advent and have claimed it as my favorite season. I pray you continue to find many gifts along the way to be thankful for.
ReplyDeleteI liked the way you put that, Mary, that you've claimed Advent as your favorite season. It's meant to be ours, to be personal, to be priceless. Thanks for pointing us to these truths today. Love it.
Delete✨
What a lovely list of simple gifts! It reminds me of bullet journaling. I've been making a practice of focusing on gratitude this season and it's been quite helpful.
ReplyDeleteI like your comparison to bullet journaling, Tammy. I think that's something I could get into these days. Thanks for the prompt to look into it.
DeleteHappy weekend to you!
😎