Did you know you’re like a PUMPKIN?

I love this story of a woman who was asked by a coworker,

“What is it like to be a Christian?”   
Her reply?
"It’s kind of like being a pumpkin.

“God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off you.

Then He cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff.

He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, lies we tell ourselves, etc.

Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see.”

HAS THIS BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE? IS GOD RIGHT NOW REMOVING THE YUCKY STUFF, GIVING YOU A SMILEY FACE, AND FILLING YOU WITH GRATITUDE?

I HOPE SO!

Dr. Catherine Hart Weber, author of FLOURISH, DISCOVER VIBRANT LIVING writes, “The feeling and practice of gratitude is the single predictor of life satisfaction.”

Research shows that nurturing a grateful heart leads to a healthier body, a happier mind, and relationships that flourish.

Whether you’re celebrating Thanksgiving Day as an American or not, God encourages us to always be thankful:

“Give thanks to the Lord,” 1 Chron. 16:8

“Give thanks to Him and praise His name,” Psalm 100:4

Giving thanks to God for all His goodness not only honors Him, it also powerfully impacts our attitude to life. The Apostle Paul states this in positive terms:

• “Always be joyful.
• Always keep on praying.
• No matter what happens, always be thankful
• This is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 TLB)

Thinking back over all I have to be thankful for, I was struck by so many things, but what about you?

What do you see God doing in your life?

How is He blessing, comforting, providing and caring for you?   

To help you notice, remember, and give thanks to God, here are a few areas to think about. I hope your mind is flooded with memories and your heart filled with joy and gratitude as you remember His goodness to you.

I thank you Lord because:

• You gave me hope when …………….
• You gave me strength when ………....
• You comforted me when …………….
• You helped me when ……………….
• You understood me when ………….
• You loved me when …………………

 Ask God to help you recognize His presence in your life even in the hard places that come to all of us. Knowing He is present, whether I understand what is happening or not, strengthens and fills me with joy and thanksgiving.  My prayer is that this is true for you, also.
 
Happy Thanksgiving my friends,
Poppy