Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly
as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom
through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit,
singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed,
do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:16-17
As we enter this season of busy-ness and plans, let’s take a moment to reflect on the reason for the upcoming holidays and all the days in between. Let us take time to remember that all good things come from above and thank our God for all things and in all things.
We’ve gathered a few (in)courage classics about gratitude and thanksgiving for you this weekend. Enjoy!
How to Give Thanks Like an Artist by Emily Freeman
When we write, we remember. When we read our own words, we understand. But when someone else reads words we wrote, we come alive. In this time of year for thanks and for giving, be thankful for your art. Be graceful in the giving of it.
My New To-Do List by Jennifer Schmidt
There are so many things to do today as I rush to ready ourselves for our grand feast: a feast to feed the tummies of so many of our loved ones. Yet as I rush, shop, clean, cook, bake, and referee, sometimes I forget to just breathe, and savor the moments we are creating.
While I want to feed tummies, more importantly, my desire is to feed souls.
When You Don’t Want to Say Thanks by Tsh Oxenreider
You know the only way I’m able to change my attitude from grumbling to grateful when I just don’t feel like it?
I just choose to say thanks. I don’t wait for my emotions to change.
Little Things by Angela Nazworth
I have found that the more time I take to bask in simple pleasures and to give thanks for the seemingly ordinary, the richer my life becomes … or rather, the more equipped I am to understand and appreciate the riches I’ve been given.
On Being Thankful by Heather
In this seasons of “firsts” when everything around me tells me that I have nothing to be thankful for, I look back and remember all of the blessings that have been bestowed on me, despite the heartache that has come my way. I remember the words of my Father and smile…
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace.
In the world you have tribulation, but take courage;
I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
Because Thanksgiving is More Than a Holiday by Ann Voskamp
Stress decreases by half – simply by multiplying our thanks. Why in the world don’t we do this?
It wasn’t complicated. It wasn’t easy.
It was beautiful, the way thanksgiving gave us our lives back.
For more seasonal posts, check out the “Seasonal” tab on the front page of the (in)courage site, as well as in the sidebar of the blog!
What are you thankful for this season?
I am thankful for the wonderful team of (in)courage writers who bring me encouragement during my quiet time each morning. I am also thankful for the many, many times that God has been faithful to bring me through trials and struggles. He has been true to His promise to never leave me nor forsake me and He has brought beauty from the ashes. Our God IS faithful! I look forward to (re) reading the classics during this season of Thanksgiving. May it be a season that never ends!
Blessings,
Bev
Yes and Amen, Bev! I must tell you that I am thankful for you. I have been coming to this spot along with you in the early morning hours, being encouraged, taught, and blessed by so many beautiful sisters in Christ. I have never met any of you yet feel like there is a connection of the heart when I read of similar struggles, life experiences, and joys. I know each morning that you will be one of the first comments on these messages. Your heart, your faithfulness and diligence have been a blessing to me. Blessings to you in the name of our beautiful Savior, Jesus Christ.
Melanie,
Thank you…your words really touched me! I wasn’t quite sure, originally, why God started waking me up at such an early hour?! But, over the months, God has so blessed me by my early pre-dawn quiet time and by the writing I find here and also by the cyber-sisterhood of believers, like you, that I have come to appreciate. It is good to know that we are not alone is this journey called life. Thank you again for your kind, kind words! May God bless you!
Bev
I am thankful that I am learning more and more about beauty in brokenness and hopeful I am ever nearer in finding real freedom in my own life through theses truths. So thankful for God’s faithfulness and patience til I get there. Thankful for husband, children, more children ( through a job at school), the glory of God’s creation, and life itself. Loving God, loving others, life IS good.
Yes & Amen Bev!!! thankful & grateful for all the (in) courage writers who have brought me incouraging words through my life these past 2 years. Thankful to God for His faithfulness when life all around me is falling apart thank you God for your promises. Love you all!!
I have grown in the knowledge of how vital it is to really know how to thank someone for whatever they have bestowed toward me. Someday, I would like to write a book for Christian women on how to convey thankfulness to other Christian women. To often, women say thanks as fleeting as one word is. How valued it is to touch a woman’s hand, look into her eyes, use genuine words, and affirm how special the act of what it was that they did to gift the other woman. When we hear God ask us to to do something for another and then the triangle of thankful words completes, it is living in Christ, as His agent of Love. The fruits of the Spirit spoken keep women free of gossip and slips of unkind words. Practicing thankfulness is glorifying our Lord.
I agree with all the above! I tend to dislike the holiday season for the very reason that people forget 1) that we even have Thanksgiving and 2) why there is a Christmas.
It seems to be all about rushing around doing this/that & buying everyone gifts. All that is nice, but I prefer to savor the moments. As I age I want to savor each day and enjoy the time with family and friends. I value time spent alone and with family and friends–its going around to fast and before you know it opportunities are missed to be with them and tell them you love them!
Thanks In Courage and God Bless!
Thankfulness in times where there is no hope – choosing to go alongside another to remind us both of all we have to be thankful for…we are not alone
Thank God for so many blessings since 2012 after a series of crisis and also thankful that the crises had matured me with God’s love and compassion. Just got to know about in courage..would like to make friends and prayer partners with whom I can enjoy my journey of faith and also like-minded christian women who share the same passion for our beloved Lord. I am one of those who blossom late. Got married last year at the age of 50 with a wonderful man who loves God. After adjusting through a flurry of great challenges, I am just now settling down with a little more certainty of what the Lord has in store for us. Please pray for us that the community of believers with whom we are involved with now is exactly where God wants us to be. Are we to accept a ministry portfolio which has been offered to us? I have yet to find a friend with whom I can connect with heart to heart. We are also praying to see if we should buy a small house so that we can base here and then do missions as the Lord leads. Thank you and I look forward to know beautiful friends in Christ. Shalom!