A Thanksgiving Prayer

Every Thanksgiving I take a moment to pray my annual Thanksgiving prayer, where I enumerate my many blessings, usually in alphabetical order...Amanda, Butterflies, Choir, Danica, the Earth, Friends...

It was going fine until I got to J, for my Job. 

Mentioning my job in my prayer got me thinking about work. And thinking about work got me worrying about work. (Something I do all the time now since my promotion in October. No, since I started training in for my new job in September.) And soon I had abandoned my prayer completely as my mind went over all the things I've got not only on, but spilling over, my figurative plate at work.

Several minutes passed before I remembered I was in the middle of a prayer. So I mentioned a few other things I'm thankful for (in random order this time) and laid there thinking about my many blessings, wishing my gratitude was more heartfelt.

But then a thought occured to me. Everything I just thanked God for was "of this world." I didn't mention one blessing that was "from above."

It was then that a passage I had memorized this past summer popped into my head:

"Since then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated on the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ, in God. When Christ, who is your life appears then you also will appear with him in glory." Col. 3:1-4

So I did. I set my mind on things above. 
I thought of my God and how much He loves me. I thought about those wonderful moments when I've felt his undeniable pressence in my life. I thought back to Grandpa's funeral and what a huge comfort it was to know Grandpa was with the Lord. I thought of the day I would be with him too.

And a funny thing happened. My work anxieties, well they sort of lifted. All those things on my plate... I suddenly didn't care if a few of them slipped off. Instead of looking at my overloaded plate of earthly worries, I thought of my overflowing cup of spiritual blessings, and I felt truly grateful.

So today my goal is to celebrate Thanksgiving, not worrying about work, or the meal, or the sales, or anything this side of heaven, but to set my heart and mind on things above! May God help us all to do so, this day and every day. Amen and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Remembering Grandpa

One year ago today, June 18, 2010, Grandpa Glende went to his heavenly home. That night I sent the following email. I am posting it here in his memory. I miss him still, but look forward to seeing him again one day.

Family and Friends,

Today at 2:00 pm I went to visit Grandpa Glende for the last time. It was a hard thing. But God gave me the strength to say “Good bye.”

About an hour after I got home I got a call from Jon. The nursing home asked them to come. His time was near.

I went upstairs and told Jeff, and just after that I saw a butterfly outside our window. I ran and got my camera. My first few attempts to take its picture failed because of low batteries, so I rushed inside, replaced them, and ran back to the window. He was still there waiting for me on the window sill.

I prayed that his wings would open one more time.

God answered.

The butterfly opened his wings, I quick snapped this shot, and then he flew away.

The name of this butterfly is “Mourning Cloak.”

We will surely mourn for Grandpa. He was the kindest, most loving person I will ever know. It’s so sad to think his life on this earth has ended.

But just like a butterfly, he will spring from the tomb and fly to the heavens to be with his Lord forever.

The last sentence Grandpa said to me was, “God still loves me.”

So true.

And He loves you too.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Grandpa passed away at about 7:00 pm tonight.

He was 98.

Thank you, Lord, for letting him be such a wonderful blessing to us all.

He will be deeply missed.

Encouraging Encouragement

“Nette, come help me.” Somehow my sister Becky had ended up with the job of carving the Thanksgiving turkey. She was maybe 20 years old at the time, and had little experience in this sort of thing. I was no more than 13 and had none whatsoever. Still, I followed her into the next room, ready to do what I could.

Becky took the electric knife in one hand, and a fork in the other.

“What should I do?” I asked when she just stood there staring down at the bird.

“Just give me encouragement.”

I smiled. That I could do.

So while my older sister bravely went to work, I did my part. “Come on, you can do it.” “Nice job!” “Keep it up.” “Ooo, that’s a nice one…”

Perhaps you’re wondering why I’m telling you this story.

Well, you know how some moments stick out in your memory. I don’t mean the major events in one’s life. I mean the simple little moments that you never forget. This is one of mine. I loved it that all she wanted from me were a few words of encouragement. I still smile when I think about it. I was just a kid. But still, she needed and appreciated having me stand by her side and tell her she was doing okay.

There’s another reason I’m telling you this story. September 12^th is the National Day of Encouragement. I know this because I happen to work at the MLC Bookstore, and from September 7 – 10 we’ll be giving away 1 free card of encouragement with every DaySpring™ Greeting card purchase in celebration of the National Day of Encouragement, while supplies last.

(Did that sound like a commercial? Sorry. Now back to our blog, already in progress.)

Grandpa Glende was an expert at encouragement. He once told my brother-in-law, Chip, he plays football so well he should play for the Vikings. And several times when I would take him to run errands around town he told me what an excellent driver I was. Honestly, he did. He even said I should get a job as a taxi driver. Obviously, Grandpa’s encouragement was a bit exaggerated at times, but I have to say, I never drove so well as when I had him sitting next to me, singing my praises.

And so I encourage you to be encouraging. And not just on September 12^th. Make it a regular part of your conversation. It was that way with Grandpa. And I know my sister Becky would agree, it could and should be that way with all of us.

Come on, you can do it. Nice job!