Monthly Archives: November 2015

Giving Thanks At Thanksgiving

11:25:15 Giving Thanks

Every good and perfect gift is from above. James 1:17
I just got back from an amazing trip literally to the other side of the world.  I was invited to come and speak at a women’s conference, the first one specifically for women that the hosts had ever organized.  I was humbled, and frankly a bit afraid; I was speaking 7 times in 2 days, and to folks from a completely different culture.  I prayed.  And prepared.  And prayed.  And others prayed with me.  And God showed up.  Every day.  And in ways I didn’t anticipate.

Over the next few weeks, I am going to share a bit more of what I saw and learned, but today I thought it would be appropriate just to write on one topic from the conference: “Be Thankful.”  I know, I know.  To those of you that follow my blog, you know how much I have written about giving thanks.  Nothing new there.  But the reason I keep circling back to thanks-giving is because this habit has had such an impact in my life.  The more I focus on giving thanks to God, the more I find my life transformed.  And so, there is often something new I am learning about thanks-giving.

Here’s what I mean.  On Thanksgiving Day, of course we Americans are reminded to give thanks.  Amid feasting and family and football, we often stop and think—and even verbalize—some things we are thankful for.  In our family, this happens during The Big Meal.  (Might I add, the only meal I truly cook the whole weekend!).  Sometime between turkey and pumpkin pie, we all lean back in our chairs and take turns mentioning things in the past year we are particularly grateful for.

It’s a good thing to do.
But it is easy to emphasize blessings, more than The Giver of those blessings.  When it is my turn at the table, I will say what I am thankful for.  But, I can often forget to mention Who I am thankful to.  I often neglect to actually say the words, “Thank you God.”  Like the eleven lepers, I am thrilled with the gifts, but I’m not expressing gratitude to The Giver.

Thanks-giving has a point.  A person on the other end.  A person that we are thanking.

To truly give thanks, there must be a recipient:  someone we giving thanks TO.

So, this year as you rejoice in your blessings, remember WHO you are thankful TO:  the Giver of every good and perfect gift.  And then take a little time to actually say the words to Him.

Say, “Thank You God.”

It’s a good thing to do.

This season, what are you especially thankful to God for?

10,000 words

10,000 Words           by Lydia Floren

I had the privilege of visiting lndia a week ago. It was my second visit to this fascinating country.  I did a 2 month rotation there as a med student.  I loved it then and I love it now. I think Indians, particularly the women, are some of the most beautiful people in the world. In lieu of a blog this week, (and because a picture is worth a thousand words) I am sharing some candids from this wonderful place.

(for more pics, click here )

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Mary and Marlene…beautiful!

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fashion show after Marlene spent 20 minutes wrapping me up!

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Carol’s smile blends right in with these beauties

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mowing the lawn with cycles and brushes

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yee haw. gives a new meaning to hump day!

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beauty in every decade

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the art of eating in lndia!

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demonstrating the merchandise. Yes I was one of those dumb americans that bought one!

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lots of laughter. we women really are a lot alike all over the world.

rice field (2)

weeding the rice field

reminder (2)

a way to remember

ravinder with us (2)

Hello and goodbye, Ravinder.

orphanage sweep (2)

sweeping before lunch

orph. lunch1

lunch at the orphanage

ancient tree

ancient tree on the taj grounds

family roadtrip

family roadtrip

orphanage peekaboo (2)

peekaboo!

orph. faces4 orph. goodbye2 orph. goodbye (2) orph. faces8 (2) orph. faces6 orph. faces

ancient tree in Agra

lining up at the medical clinic