Category Archives: Holidays

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Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart

“Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart” song lyrics and tune have been playing in my head for several days. I want this to speak to the joy of being thankful. Being grateful enhances being thankful.

YouTube: Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart

Beautiful sunsets. Lovely friends. Gracious comments. Happy moments. Butterfly kisses from our littles. Fresh rain. God’s Word. Favorite verses. Gorgeous paintings. Sweet relationships. Happy campers. Lyrical tunes. Tender hugs. Ocean breezes. I could go on and on. Life has an underlying secret beauty. I think it’s called “majesty” or speaks of something majestic. O the wonder of it all.

Have you ever experienced one of those crystal clear moments you capture in your memory? When I was a teen my family was driving through Nevada in the winter. After visiting Harrah’s car show in Reno, we drove through Carson City. Down the road awhile later, looking through the back window of the station wagon, a gorgeous snow-capped mountain could be seen. I was in awe of its majesty so I decided to commit it to memory to imprint the image forever. I can still see the mountain’s grandeur in my mind’s eye.

A happy wonder is when someone gives you a tight embrace that communicates their love for you, and you, your love for them. Yesterday I experienced that kind of hug with someone in my church. I’d not been at my church for several weeks. When you see the people you love and care about and their eyes light up while they talk to you, you can tell they’re glad to see you. Those feelings mean a great deal. One person’s embrace was especially long and warm-tight. Another person’s hug was a close second. Give thanks with a grateful heart.

Today’s post delivered a card that reads “Happy Thanksgiving” from The Abbey of Our Lady of New Clairvaux. The photo is of walnut trees on the monastery’s Vina ranch. I spent 2014 writing, praying, and contemplating at the abbey. Warmth for the monastics resurfaced and the sweetness of the memory kindled a spark in me. I have missed them. The monks pray for the world and love the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord for His mercy endures forever.

Most of all, I am grateful for the gift of our Maker, the Triune God: Giver, Sustainer, Lover, Joy-Giver, Friend, Helper, Forgiver, Healer, Life, Redeemer, Creator and, basically, the reason for everything that matters for now and eternity. We are so fortunate to have a relational God, Who cares about our souls and being. He is Being. He is Life. He is Salvation. God makes every day better.

“Give Thanks” by Don Moen
Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son

And now let the weak say, “I am strong”
Let the poor say, “I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us.”
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The Story of the Little Pumpkin

A Happy Little Sugar Pumpkin

As told by the Little Sugar Pumpkin. In his own words. . .

I’m a tiny little sugar pumpkin. It was awfully boring sitting in that store bin, but I have to say, there wasn’t much I could do about it. I kept complaining to the other pumpkins, “Oh my goodness, isn’t anybody going to pick me? Tomorrow is Halloween!” Sigh. We were running out of time. Sigh.

Would you believe it? Right then and there a nice lady with long white hair came over to my bin. Oh boy!!! I tried to get her attention,”Over here. Look at me! Yoo-hoo, I’m over here!” She was looking at all the other little sugar pumpkins. Holding them up and looking at their shapes from all angles. And then she reached down and lifted me up,  twisting me this way and that way. “Hmmm,” she said, as I tried to be my orangiest best for her.

“My, my, you’re a nice little pumpkin. I think you’re perfect,” and that’s how I got to go home with her.

First, she washed me and dried me off. Next, she cut me a top and then cleaned out my insides. The lady told me she was going to make me into a personality. My face began to take shape once she finished my triangle eyes. She whispered to me, “You need to have a smile.” It took a bit of time and hurt a little bit but soon I looked real cool. She lit a white taper candle and dripped some wax inside of me and pressed a stub of candle into the warm wax. “Now, let’s see how you look.” She put on my top and then re-lit the candle. This time we both smiled; she at me and me at her.

“But we’re not done yet. You’ll see why I wanted a pumpkin shaped nicely on both sides.” The lady began to carve again. Soon I had a cross-shape on the back side of me. “Now, for a heart,” she said, “The cross wouldn’t be finished without a heart of love. The Father gave his son for all of us because of his great love. That’s why you have a cross. The candle is like the light of God shining out from within you, my sweet little pumpkin. I want everyone to know that Jesus gives us light and love. Everyone who looks at you will notice your cross.”

I felt all snugly inside after she said that to me. So that’s how I got a cross on my backside.

We went to church that night.  She talked about me with the children at their Awana club. They liked it when she lit my candle. I glowed brightly for them. The children ooo’d and aaah’d. They liked me! As they looked at my cross, she told them that Jesus loved them and how the light of God’s love shines in us. I liked that, because it’s true. Jesus does love them, every single one of them.

“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.” That’s what I like to sing when nobody is looking. This is my little light and it shines the cross of Jesus to everyone who walks up to my owner’s door. She wants them to know about Jesus. Tonight is Halloween and I’m sooo looking forward to it. The kids will be pirates, ghosts, and witches, and I will get to shine my light for them. How cool is that!

“Trick or Treat, smell my feet. Give me something good to eat!”  Oops, I’m not supposed to say that! You have a nice Halloween, okay?