top of page
Writer's pictureBeth Hildebrand

Gratitude is a Lifestyle


20141026_211436538_iOS

Each day seems to go by quicker than the day before.  The first day of autumn feels like yesterday.  I think October is even busier than the Christmas month, which is only three weeks away.

Even in the midst of busyness, trying hard to give the Giver thanks for all things.

I had ordered a new book that I was anxiously awaiting because I wanted it to arrive in time to take with me to an appointment where I’d have time to read.  It didn’t come.  Kind of disappointed, I went to our bookshelf to find one I hadn’t read, and in the back corner was one I was given at a conference in the gift bag.  As I wiped the dust off the top of the book, I read the title  “Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy” by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.  I’m thankful the book I ordered didn’t come in because ever since I opened it the first time, I have to find a pen to underline the wisdom I read.

And what good timing for this month.  And not only for this month, but to live by every day.  DeMoss writes,

Gratitude is a lifestyle.  A hard-fought, grace-infused, biblical lifestyle.  And though there’s a sense in which anyone can be thankful – for God has extended His common grace to all – the true glory and the transforming power of gratitude are reserved for those who know and acknowledge the Giver of every good gift and who are recipients of His redeeming grace.

Oh my heart, have a lifestyle of gratitude, not just the month of November.


20141028_124715197_iOS

Thanking the Giver of every good gift and adding these to this count below.

#2232  Autumn season is here

#2233  driving down the road and seeing pumpkins being taken off the truck to be sold for fall decorations

#2234  Hearing Mrs. Robinson by Simon and Garfunkel on the radio and reminded me of my first high school English lesson plan


20140923_225002460_iOS

20140923_233619129_iOS

#2235  Praying with women at a baseball field.


20140927_192510481_iOS

IMG_2425a

#2237  conversation with Emily Freeman

#2238  conversation with Myquillyn Smith, the Nester


20140927_223757076_iOS

#2239  dinner with Leanne, Christal, and Ginger and hearing their stories


20140927_223603951_iOS

#2240  Listening to Christa Wells sing in barn at night

#2241  weekend with my sister’s family

#2242  making scrapbook of daughter’s elementary years


20141005_125231180_iOS

#2243  on a colorful leaf hunt with daughter

#2244  going to Shrek with daughter

#2245  unexpected stay with my sister

#2246  K’s email

#2247  Gift to reread Colossians 2:6-7 (MSG)

 “My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you’ve been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You’re deeply rooted in him. You’re well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you’ve been taught. School’s out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving.”

#2248  Gift reread old Gideon post

#2249  Those “come to Jesus” moments

#2250  daughter performing  at city park


20141025_230036085_iOS

#2251  Roses from my mom’s garden and their smell


20141026_183226380_iOS

#2252  Taking pregnancy pictures for friends


IMG_6235

#2253  Friend praying for me righ then and there

#2254  Beautiful fall afternoon that God created

#2255  hearing my friend preach

#2253  family weekend camping

#2254  electricity at campsites


20141018_143438035_iOS

#2255  little heater

#2256  air mattresses

#2257  picking apples off the trees and an orchard on the side of a mountain


IMG_6104

IMG_6105

IMG_6114

#2258  fall leaves changing on the mountain


IMG_6124

IMG_6166

IMG_6133

#2259  seeing waterfalls


IMG_6146

#2260  the Blue Ridge Mountains


IMG_6172

#2261  Being with family on my birthday

#2262  unexpected birthday flowers


20141027_144854708_iOS

#2263  Birthday cards from friends

#2264  Facebook birthday wishes

#2265  Eating at O’Charlies with my dear SGG

#2266  warm home on a cold, rainy fall day

#2267  family Domino’s Game Night – Mexican Train

#2268  carving pumpkin with kids


IMG_6265

IMG_6270

IMG_6274

#2269  October 31 traditions


halloween

20141101_002821092_iOS

20141101_000805172_iOS

#2270  gift worn – new fleece jacket

#2271  gift worn – boots

#2272  gift worn – the ring my parents gave me for my 16th birthday I still wear

#2273  registered to host an IF:Local…IF:Alamance.  So exciting.  So overwhelming.  So dependent on Christ alone.

#2274  the book I ordered on here on time…

#2275  because instead I started reading “Choosing Gratitude” by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

#2276  delicious grilled  cheese sandwich

#2277  a prayer warrior “put in our lap” from the Holy Spirit for IF

#2278  our democracy

#2279  the people who ran for office and their willingness to make a difference for our community and country

#2280  the volunteers who work at voting booths

#2281  reading Psalm 145:3-8  (MSG)…

God is magnificent; he can never be praised enough.  There are no boundaries to his greatness.  Generation after generation stands in awe of your work; each one tells stories of your mighty acts.  Your beauty and splendor have everyone talking;  I compose songs on your wonders.  Your marvelous doings are headline news;  I could write a book full of the details of your greatness. The fame of your goodness spreads across the country;your righteousness is on everyone’s lips.

1 view0 comments

Comments


bottom of page