Wednesday, November 4, 2009

The Power of Thanksgiving

Its November, and naturally my thoughts rest on the holiday of Thanksgiving that takes place this month.  I have noticed that the holiday of Thanksgiving does not get much attention.  Where I live, retailers start putting out the Christmas gear just before Halloween arrives.  Sort makes me wonder about Christmas.  With this in mind, spiritually speaking, there must be something really powerful about Thanksgiving.

This morning I went to my PT appointment.  My PT was running late so I got to sit in the waiting room a half hour before being called back.  I did not mind because I felt hugely stressed and I needed time to unwind a bit.  I picked up a magazine and began to comb through the pages. I landed on a great article which I felt was just for me.  The article talked about many of things that I am dealing with in my life right now.  It was encouraging me to let go and not worry.  They also talked about a study that was done with people that were depressed.  The patients had to log into a website and list 3 things that they were thankful for each day.  They said after weeks of doing this many of the patients were no longer depressed. 

In Psalm 92:1-2, it says "IT IS GOOD to say, "Thank you" to the Lord, to sing praises to the God who is above all gods.  Every morning tell him "Thank you for your kindness," and every evening rejoice in all his faithfulness."

Today at my PT appointment part of my job was to lie down and relax as some soothing music played. All the sudden I found tears streaming down my face.  Bottled up emotions rose to the surface and were released.  Afterward, I was given a prescription, not of drugs, but of how to spend my time.  I need to spend 20 minutes everyday, completely relaxing.  To me this means I need to spend 20 minutes of each day with the Lord, just sitting at His feet.  I need to think on His blessings and rejoice in His faithfulness.  What a perfect month to begin my voyage into the power of thanksgiving.

Two of my blogger friends have spoken about being thankful on their sites.  Check out Rachel who is going to try and write one thing she is thankful for everyday.  And my friend Outdoor Mom  who talks about the power and importance of having an attitude of thanksgiving.

Oh, by the way, its official, the Little Blue Cottage is up for sale.  The boys and I came home after picking them up from school to see this...


3 comments:

sherry said...

tenderly holding you up in prayer, dear friend. <><

you shared 2 Timothy 2:13 on your sidebar. i just read it and am sweetly encouraged. thank you.

jAne at tickleberry farm

outdoor.mom said...

Amen :-) Great Post Becky!!! Very exciting about the house! I hope it sells well and fast. Thanks for your encouragement. It is VERY important to be thankful. Today, work called and wanted me to come in. I was thinking on enjoying a leisurely afternoon with my kids and a friend. When I called my friend to tell her I'd have to rush our date, she reminded me about being thankful for my job. She was right. Here it is again - on your blog!! Thanks - and I am thankful to have you for a Bloggie Buddie!!

Seawashed said...

This is wonderful news Becky...so glad your PT is helping you. God is soooo good. Having a thankful heart in all things keeps me happy daily. I also have suprisingly found my gentle yoga class amazingly helpful in relaxing and therefore relieving stress, since joining the Family Fitness Center in June. I was always boo hoo about yoga because of the beliefs its rooted in. But my yoga instructor does not focus on any of that...it is all about rest, peace, and health for the body, mind, heart, and soul. I too have layed there on my yoga mat while the quiet music is playing and tears streaming down my cheeks. It is healing and brings wholeness. Our world is so fast and busy that we don't even realize how deeply it affects us.

AND I am sorry...but seeing your little blue cottage for sale makes me sad. It is such a sweet home.