Thankful in Thought and Love

I would have to say that I am most thankful for love.

Because love can cover just about everything.  It was love that sent our Savior to the cross to pay for our sins.  It is love that unites family and friends together—knit in harmony.  It is love that is the greatest of all virtues (1 Cor.13).  It is love that says "I love you and I'm willing to deny myself for you" (John 15:13).  It is true love that is not just a feeling but a commitment.  It is love that God gives everyday in His mercy, grace, and forgiveness, in giving us life and health and raiment and shelter.  I'd say that love ranks tops on my list.

It is hard for me to fathom the depth of love.  And when I say love, I'm not talking about this modern Grecian-version of love that happens between a guy and girl at first sight—you know, the head-over-heels type.  Of course there will be romance and all that goo in courtship and marriage (c'mon, every girl likes it!), but I am referring to: A father's tender embrace.  A mother's warm smile.  A sister's giggle.  A blossoming friendship.  A brother's silly joke.  A gathering of thankful hearts.  Worship and praise to God.  A baby's cherub dimpled grin.  Commitment.  Encouragement.  Faithfulness.  Devotion.  Inspiration.  Joy.  And many other such blessings.  The simple yet most profound things of life.

Thanksgiving is most definitely a time of praise and thanksgiving to the Creator, even though every day ought to be the same.  Now is a time when we sit back and thank God for all of the blessings He has imparted to His humble subjects.  Because the truth is, He has done so much for us and we barely even recognize His presence in our lives.  Many times we take God for...heaven forbid...granted.  How in the world could such lowly people, basically scum in God's sight because of our sin, take the Most Holy One for granted when He has done so much for us?

In fact, it is very easy.  We get caught up in our own little worlds of selfishness and pride, and forget that it was God who made us, God who gives us breath each day, and God who could take away everything we hold dear in a heartbeat.  Simply because He is God, completely sovereign, and He has every right to do what He deems best.  Simply because He is God.  And that is why I am most thankful for love because I see love in the grace of God that He would give us even a tiny morsel of bread, or a glimmer of light in darkened lives, or forgiveness amidst our sin.  Or so much more that we don't even deserve.

It was love that shaped our individual lives.  It is love that continues to shape our lives according to His will and plan.  It is love that I hold most dear, and I believe that love sums up our entire lives.  Love is salvation and sanctification all rolled into one.

May y'all have more than just a blessed Thanksgiving—may it be full of the richest and deepest love imaginable.  May God shine His love upon you and your families, and rain down many blessings upon each individual.  Remember that it is love that keeps us going, so I believe it is our duty to love in return.  And not just an ordinary type of love either.  An incredible, sacrificing, amazing, forgiving, inspirational, joyful, heroic love.  And let us rejoice in the goodness of God, because of His love.

"But let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice: 

let them ever shout for joy, because Thou defendest them: 

let them also that love Thy name be joyful in Thee." -Psalm 5:11

Remembering Thanksgiving

 It has finally happened.  

The jolly Christmas season is here again!  I don't know about you, but my heart leaps at those words!  Christmastime.  I actually get goosebumps just thinking about everything that word entails.  The most important aspect is the most joyous of all.  To think that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, would come down to earth to be born of a depraved human woman, live a life here on earth, and eventually die for the elect's sins, is totally incomprehensible.  That much love is surreal.  Yet it really did happen.  It is breathtaking.

Of course, there is so much more I could add.  Christmastime is filled the the loveliest memories of snow, hot chocolate, laughter, opening presents, Christmas trees that symbolize eternal life, decorating the Christmas tree, hats and gloves and scarves and coats and sweatshirts and socks and pants, snuggling up under the covers on a cold morning, leaves that turn colors, of course taking lots of pictures, listening to the cold wind howl, crocheting and knitting, listening to Christmas music once out of the year (one of my all-time favorites), shopping, baking-and-then-eating-what-we-just-baked, family visits, friends coming over, etc. etc. etc.  There is so much it is impossible to list everything.  The holidays are always the best times of the year, especially Christmas.

 But something comes before Christmastime.  I sincerely hope everyone hasn't forgotten about it.  Thanksgiving.  Many people imagine Thanksgiving is the time once out of the year to thank God for our blessings and then be done with it.  Thanksgiving is past so we forget our blessings.  Oops.  That's not the way it's supposed to be.  Every day ought to be a thanksgiving to our Creator God for all the many wonderful blessings He has blessed us with.  I mentioned some of them in the joys of Christmas above.  Even in a socialistic and communistic nation, the righteous are still blessed.  God only knows what will happen in the future, but for now we ought to praise and thank Him every day.  There isn't only one day out of 365 that we do this.  Every day is supposed to be a celebration unto the King of kings.

The holidays are always fun
We enjoy many things
Family, food, and friends surround us
During Christmastime gaiety sings

A small period of time we will miss
If we are caught unaware
For all of these blessings we must be thankful
And show our families how much we care

Do not let Thanksgiving by
All blessings come sweetly from above
A grateful heart God will bless
Let us thank Him with our love

A thankful heart will cherish time
It will capture every moment's grace
Sun, moon, flower, and child
All are confined in blessing's vase

Softly now, listen
Thanksgiving is creeping close
Remember to thank God for each day
Love is given in many a dose

Too soon Thanksgiving will be gone
So much we shall miss!
Thanksgiving should remain a treasure
Like purity's life kiss

 Be glad about the oncoming Christmas season!  I certainly am.  But we mustn't forget that God grants each new day; therefore praise Him for every breath of life.  Don't let Thanksgiving by.  That includes every day, for each day is to be a thanksgiving to our God.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Introducing...

 We have just begun an etsy shop! (You can view here.) So far we have scarves, dishcloths, and a hat on the market, perfect for cold and blustery winter days (various luminous colors will be added to our collection).  More items will be coming sometime soon (hopefully).  We have decided to put our talents to the test, so to speak.  From now until Thanksgiving everything will be on sale.  Take this chance! Any interest is most appreciated!

Here is the Reformation Day post I promised.  Unfortunately I couldn't upload all of my pictures (too many), but these should suffice.  It was a day to be remembered.

My gorgeous mother in her new shawl

 Liberty's sill new grin

 Pioneer girls

 Little Martin Luther

 Pumpkin bars with chocolate chips = happiness

 Reformed Preacher ready preach!

 My beautiful aunt

 All the kids

 Mommy & Baby

 Going for the baby doll look

 Sweet little Maggie

 Sisters

 Messy face

 Scottish Covenanter ready for battle!

Straight from Jane Austin

A date that will never be forgotten...

And so ended a perfectly wondrous day.

Autumn's Beauty

I love this time of year.  The crisp wind and the colorful leaves = perfect Autumn beauty.  God is an awesome Creator.  Who can deny it with all this loveliness surrounding us?

These past few weeks have been busy ones for the Brown family.  First we had some beloved family members visit from Indiana, up came Reformation Day (sneak peak here until I get my post up), then there was a prayer rally in Barnesville at which my dad spoke (and outshone them all!), and lastly we were able to make some delightful new friends last weekend!  Life really is lovely.  

Thanksgiving is coming up already [Insert major shock here].  Although we are supposed to count our blessings every day, this time of year we seem to focus more upon them than any other time.  I have a lot to be thankful for, even if life seems difficult at times.  We may not be rich in worldly goods, I may not be upon the brink of marriage (I can see my dad wiping his brow here), and life may not always be exciting and thrilling.  Yet, it is the simple things that warm the heart.  I'm just thankful to be alive and well in 2010.  I have a family and home, food, clothes, and a bed to sleep in, friends - old and new, plus my Saviour's love.  For a 16 year-old young woman, I'd say that is more than enough.  In the business of life, stop for a moment to think of how really blessed we are.  If we are alive in Christ, we are rich in every way.

Thanksgiving is over...now comes Christmas!

Well, Thanksgiving is over.  I for one had a very blessed Thanksgiving day.  I hope everyone else did too.

 Yesterday we had so much food!  I just had to take a picture of our turkey.  Look delicious?

 

I didn't take a picture of all the food...that would've been too too much.  But I did take another picture - of Grace's peach cobbler!  It sure was yummy!  But everything was.  I had no complaints.

 Now I am especially ready for Christmas.  Actually, we have started listening to Christmas music today.  What fun!  Now I need to get very busy and finish all my Christmas gifts I'm making.  Only 28 more days!  Christmas, here we come!

I hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving, one they will never forget!  This was our first Thanksgiving in Barnesville, GA, and I know I will never forget it! 

Here are a couple pictures I have taken recently. Fall 09.

      Mommy's Little Eskimo

Fall Sisters!

Mom's Decoration. No, it isn't fake! These are real right off a tree!

Cousins! Both very sweet!

Yep, it's fall time!