Each weekend we gather together in this space to spend time with each other and God. You come with coffee or tea in hand and touch me with your presence and sweet words of encouragement. I look forward to our time together and love starting my day knowing you will stop by and visit when you can.
Thanksgiving Day has come and gone and all that is left is a potpourri of memories. I hold tight to all that was knowing it fills the empty places in my heart. But I wrap the memories up leaving room for new ones to form. Before I jump into this next season of busyness, I want to share how grateful I am for all of you. You each are an important part of this online community. I consider you family and I adore family.
[Tweet “Thanksgiving is now a potpourri of memories but what if we continue to grow gratitude daily. “]
A week of family time filled those places in my heart that thrive from time with loved ones. I savor the memories of the past week while looking forward to the next round of holiday gatherings. I try to capture the essence of a full heart to carry with me on those days the absence of loved ones causes emptiness.
The joy of gratitude highlighted on Thanksgiving can either grow or stop dead in its tracks when the holiday is over. I propose we keep it going long after our memories of Thanksgiving have faded. Look for opportunities to bless someone when they least expect it. Give the gift of presence where your only focus is the person sitting across from you. Treasure gratitude like a gift but give it away without expectations so others can unwrap the blessing of caring.
As we countdown to the next holiday, allow yourself time to just be.
Be you
Be with God
And be still.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
    go into his courts with praise.
    Give thanks to him and praise his name.Psalm 100:4 NLT
And now for the surprise…
Click HERE!!
I hope you didn’t pass on the surprise!!!
Sabbath Blessings!
Dear Mary, what a lovely surprise to see you in the flesh and hear your sweet, gentle voice! A brave new venture for you. Well done! I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving weekend. I LOVE these words you have left us with:
“allow yourself time to just be.
Be you
Be with God
And be still.”
Great advice! Thank you. Blessings and love. xoxo
It is brave, challenging and such a God thing. I don’t think I would have intentionally chosen to do a video on my own. Thank you for being here and I pray you feel God in your every day. Your chance to be you, be with God and be still. Love and hugs!
I love your encouragement and video, Mary. You are brave to step out and speak on video. Your voice sounds just as gentle as your written words. 🙂 These words in your post especially touch me:
“Be you
Be with God
And be still.”
Such great advice. Thank you! Love and hugs to you!
You are so affirming! I am blessed every time you join me here. May we live those words you highlighted: Be you, Be with God and be still! Love you!
Loved your video, friend! Looking forward to your series. For me the best part of Thanksgiving is beautiful memories the weekend afterwards. (It’s a lot of work for me since I host 20+ people for a sit down dinner in a country where people don’t know how to make the dishes! 🙂 )
I loved this today from your post: ” Give the gift of presence where your only focus is the person sitting across from you.” I hope to do that with loved ones and with Jesus this December.
Thank you, Betsy! It is a little rough but it’s who I am. A little rough around the edges but blessed by God. I can’t imagine hosting a sit-down dinner for twenty people let alone who are newer to Thanksgiving. But I can imagine the blessing it was for everyone around the table.
I pray I also remember to share the gift of presence in this season and all year round. It makes such a difference for us and for them. Blessed to have you here today!
Lovely. Just lovely, Mary!
I’m looking forward to these little Advent visits. I love that you’re answering that call God’s put on your heart … you’ve always been brave, and once again, here you are!
Blessings to you, to us, your readers, as you share your message outloud …
Thank you for naming who I am. I don’t always feel brave but God knows I am. I pray these little Advent reflections speak to you and prepare you as we make our way to the manger. Knowing you are on the other side of the screen makes me happy.
I’m grateful for you too friend. It was such a joy to hear your voice and your heart. I love this Advent idea and look forward to walking to the manger with you.
You have bravely been sharing on Facebook for a while now. I love your bravery. I am thrilled by how God is using me. Come back so we can walk to the manger together.
Thank you, Mary, for that little chat. I am in awe of your brave expansion into another medium. Looking forward to future installments.
You are one of my biggest cheerleaders. I have no words for how God continues to call me to new things. Pray for God to give me the words to share with all of you.
Dear Mary,
What a joy to hear your written words spoken outloud by you also! You are an encouragement, and I thank God for you! May He bless you as you continue to step out in faith to follow Him.
Thank you, Bettie! It is always an adventure with God. Stepping out with God is a journey of faith and one that I am honored and a little surprised to be part of.