Priorities

I learned a very unexpected lesson on Thanksgiving that I thought I would share...

Every Thanksgiving morning, I venture out into the barren streets to get a newspaper...you know, the one overflowing with the Black Friday ads. I then race back home to look through every single one to see if there is anything I can't live without. This Thursday was no exception.

I went to the nearest gas station, grabbed a paper, and took it up to the register. The cashier was a young Indian man who was very friendly. He saw what I was buying, and then said, "Oh, very heavy paper. Too bad all of those store ads are in there." I said that was why I was buying it, was to look at all of the ads. He said "Oh, I thought you wanted to read this," and pointed to the article on the front page about the attacks that had just happened in India. I said I hadn't heard about that and he said, "Yes, very sad. The Taj Mahal hotel was on fire from terrorists. Very beautiful place. Americans are hostage too." I could tell he was saddened by this news and I immediately felt sorry for him. Here I am wanting to look through ads to see how I can spend my money, and he is worried about his country and the people that are there. I felt very snobby and realized how other people in less fortunate countries probably view Americans.

It really made me think while I was looking through those ads, and I just prayed that God would give me a thankful, content heart. He answered my prayer as I didn't purchase anything on Black Friday...I literally didn't see anything in the ads that I felt I should buy, considering all of the unfortunate people living even in my own town. God has really given me a burden this holiday season to share what I have with those that don't have. I am thankful for it, and hope that I remember to carry it with me all year round, not just at the holidays.

Excellent

When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better. Many times, we don't understand or see this because we want things OUR way...OUR timing...I have been convinced lately that our ultimate desire should be for the perfect will of God. I know that God will always get me to the place He wants me to be, but sometimes I don't understand the process or events He uses to get me there.

Two quotes I have heard lately that have really spoken to me are:

'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'

'It will cost you more to miss the will of God than it will to find it.'

Santa's House

So, Punky and I were talking about Christmas and I mentioned to her that if she wanted, she could make Christmas presents for people. She looked at me with big eyes and said "NOOOOO!" I asked why and she said, "I don't want to go to Santa's House. I want to stay here. I don't want to ride in the sleigh..." I started laughing and said that no, she wouldn't be going to the north pole, she would stay here with me and make them. She thought I was going to send her to the north pole to make the presents. Precious.

President Obama

I found this posted on someone else's blog, but it is so wonderful...The following is an open letter from a girltalk reader to President-Elect Barack Obama. Her words eloquently capture our hearts on this historic day.

Dear President-Elect Obama,
Today I shed tears of joy, along with hundreds of thousands of Americans, for the great victory of your election. The significance of this moment cannot be overstated. Our African-American friends have been oppressed and cast aside for generations in this country of ours. Now, may the shame be completely wiped away and may the glory that this nation represents and strives for become a reality for more and more of our once silenced citizens.
I confess I did not cast my vote for you. Not because you failed to inspire me with your speeches, because you did. Not because you do not impress me with your leadership and vision, because you do. I cast my vote for another based upon my concern for another segment of our society which is downtrodden and cast aside, the weak, the innocent; the unborn.
Mr. President-Elect, I pray that your heart would be burdened as well to do all in your power to encourage the life that is even now forming in many to come to fruition, to share in this great moment in our nation’s history. We all know the times are difficult and no one will escape the trials at hand. Just as this is true, so is the gift and privilege we have to live it. May the millions of unborn get this chance as well. May the virtue of responsibility reign as mothers choose to carry the fruit of their wombs to term, to give the gift of life to another. I ask, President Obama, that you would prayerfully consider your pay grade since indeed it has now risen at this moment in our history. May you be the champion of all those who are weak yet share the same right to life.
May God bless you and your beautiful family.
Sincerely,
Margaret Buckley

Vote Vote Vote...Pray Pray Pray

I went this morning to vote before work and taking Punky to school. She went with me.

This is my third presidential election which I have voted. I never took it too seriously...However, with this election between Barack Obama and John McCain, I have never been more aware of how big a privilege and responsibility this is-as an American and as a Christian. As I was walking out of the school where I voted, I got tears in my eyes. God really placed on my heart the fact that I am very blessed to live in this country. I have the privilege and right to vote however I want, without fear of persecution. I thanked God right there while walking to the car for allowing me to do this. I also prayed...prayed for the country to turn to God, prayed that whoever wins the election would be right for our country, and that God would use him. Our country needs that.

Trick or Treat!

Here are some pics from last night...we had so many people to see that we didn't even make it everywhere we wanted to go. It was a fun night with LOTS of candy. Punky was Dorothy and Buddy was Tigger...so cute!