Yes, Thanksgiving has come and gone, but can a post about Thanksgiving ever really be late? This recovering perfectionist wants to say yes, but my maturing spirit says tells me it is ALWAYS time for a post about thanks.
Eucharisto. A greek word meaning "to give thanks" and the backbone of my centered existence these days. I find myself floundering if when I wake up I allow my thoughts to wander into what I am not, what I have not, what I didn't prepare well for that day. Discouragement sets in real fast if I allow those thoughts to penetrate my God-intended soul.
Eucharisto...being a posture of giving thanks for what He's made me, what He's given me, what He's prepared before me as I step foot into a God-breathed day, ordained for ME by Him...the one who gives me life.
So these photos are not just of a meal and of people around a turkey and pumpkin pie...these photos capture moments that I can look back on and be deeply grateful that God allowed me to experience. Moments that if I let them, bring me to my knees in deep, heart-filled gratitude for the lives I've been called to walk alongside and to ultimately experience Christ with.
Eucharisto...living in a posture of gratitude opens the floodgates of heaven, breathing God-intended life and purpose into each and every relationship I have...especially the one with my Jesus.
So go ahead and glance through these moments, keeping in mind as you do, that they are sacred. Each and every one a gift. Each and every person a temple of the Holy Spirit walking this earth to love and be loved by God...and along the way, allowed by God the chance to be in a family. Family...a tangible expression of His grace to us...broken and needy, we are loved. First by Him, and next by those who call us son and daughter, husband and wife.
Eucharisto...His grace.
Papa, Coley and his little Rylee Joy. Do you see Cole's face? He's smitten with his little sis.
Love, between a brother and his sister...grace.
A table set for 12....grace.
A Place to see God's creatures...grace.
A confident little woman in the making...grace.
Her silly side that makes me laugh daily....also grace.
My blue-eyed boy who stole my heart 7 1/2 years ago, (and his brother who didn't want to pose but fills my heart with joy)...grace.
For this silly little munchkin who melts our heart daily in the most profound ways (and for her love of belly buttons)...grace.
A family who has welcomed me as one of their own...grace.
For the ones I've been linked with for life...grace.
A husband who loves Jesus and me and his children (in that order)...grace.
For the turkey that made it through Thanksgiving alive and gave us a great post-Thanksgiving trot and gobble...grace.
For hands to hold near a busy street, and an aunt who loves her nephew...grace.
For another aunt who opened her home to the masses for days so we could be together...grace.
For a Mama and Grammie who loves her family selflessly...grace.
The autumn colors of Napa...grace.
Time to pause and enjoy the beauty...grace.
A thoughtful, intentional and loving auntie and the girl everyone says she resembles...grace.
And the smile that creeps to their faces and hearts when she's around...grace.
For the selfless and intentional way they love us...grace.
Just because we're girls!
My first-born girl...thoughtful, gentle, creative, imaginative, silly and kind with a middle name that will always remind me of His love for me...Grace.
For the love and God-initiated deepening bond developing between my girl and I...grace.
For this family I've been called to...grace.
And this man who calls me, HIS...grace.
By know I think you can see...it is not by works of righteousness that we have done, but it's only by His mercy He has saved us...and given us life.
As a family.
They are His grace to me.
Happy Thanksgiving...a week ago, today and tomorrow too...
Becuuse every moment we live is not one we've earned.
Life is a gift.
It's HIS grace.
Danice and John,
What beautiful pictures! I loved them all...It really gave me such a sense of family and Thanksgiving....Love you all! Auntie Ine