I don’t know what’s better:
That first sip of coffee in the morning, or the first moment on the pillow at night!
The anticipation of an exciting event, or the lingering memories after.
Ice cream in the summertime, or thick, hot soup in winter.
Gazing at a wide vista of mountains and trees, or studying a tiny flower up close.
Snuggled up by the fire, or walking through crisp, autumn leaves.
Dark chocolate or white popcorn!
A new book with a tantalizing title, or an old, prized volume, underlined and dog-eared.
The raucous noise of a festive party, or the delicious quiet afterward.
The uplift of a clear, cloudless day, or the coziness of a cloud canopy.
Looking forward to wonders yet to be discovered, or looking back on wonders already known.
Oh, yes, Lord. “You have made everything beautiful in its time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
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Thank you, Father, for continually blessing your people—not just corporately but individually. You even bestow custom-blessings, specifically designed for the pleasure of one! And thank You that, as I draw near to you with a grateful heart, your presence fills me with awe and joy.
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What blessings are you hard-pressed to choose between this Thanksgiving? Share your thoughts in the Comments below!
(photo credits: www.3dwaltz.com/babies-pictures-6.html, http://www.popsdigital.com, www.levenger.com, http://www.footage.shutterstock.com.)
The wonder of holding a new life in my arms, looking to me with absolute trust, or seeing the fruit of that trust in an almost grown life, poised on the edge of the nest. Both are indescribably sweet, I’m finding! Lovely post.
Oh, Rebeca, you are so right! Those two blessings would be impossible to identify as first or second choice. And you expressed your observation beautifully! Thank you for touching my heart!
Nancy – I love this post!!! Lovely reflections/questions/quiet thanksgivings. This is your genre, friend – words of encouragement tumbling out in beauty. Thanks so much.
Thank YOU very much, Diana. ‘So delighted I could minister encouragement to you, knowing that you face daily challenges. God bless you, dear-but-distant-blogger-friend!
Snuggling on the couch and watching it snow
or sitting under a cover outside and listening to it rain … ???
Waiting at the airport to pick up my family
or getting off the plane to visit my family … ???
Singing “Silent Night”
or Singing “Christ Arose” … ???
Watching little children singing to old people in the nursing home
or watching old people in the nursing home listening to children … ???
Reading goodnight stories to my children till past their bedtime
or talking to my teenage boy until past my bedtime … ???
ahhh … the blessings we enjoy …
Thanks for making me count my blessings tonight, dear one!
Thank you for taking the time to add your thoughts. I found myself saying, “Oh, yes!” to each of your additions, Heidi. Brilliant, creative thinking! May your Thanksgiving Day be a pinnacle of joyous gratitude for you and your family.
The voices and laughter of family come together – and the quiet in the alone
The process of making a soup or chili – and the coming together at the table either with friends or alone
the middle of a soccer game – and a rain-storm that cancels, leaving us all home with nothing to do
the excitement for a son’s journey leaving home – and the excitement in the homecoming
Your list was beautiful – thank you for making me think beautiful thoughts!
Thank you for your thoughtful additions to the list! I’m delighted you found the post and the exercise meaningful. May you have a glorious Thanksgiving!
i love the contrasts in this post. the light and dark, just like Advent. You reminded me of all I have to be thankful for, including you as a new friend this year.
Awww…thank you, Jean! I certainly have enjoyed becoming acquainted with you at your blog! Happy Thanksgiving, friend!
We could never have a full count of all the blessings God gives us. I must remember to stop and reflect on them. Thanks again for your blog. I haven’t been faithful for awhile, I was blessed to go on a Bus Tour to Myrtle Beach, SC. It was awesome. God bless you.
Oh, yes–reflection on God’s blessings fills our hearts with gratitude, encouragement, peace, joy, and more. But it does require becoming intentional about it and retraining our thoughts.
‘So glad you were able to enjoy lots of blessings on a trip to Myrtle Beach!
Beautiful compare/contrast post. As Christians we are blessed with all of the small and large perspectives that you listed. The brilliance of a sunny day; the awesome view of the twinkling stars on a dark, dark night. I thank the Lord for the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life as He guides me and makes me aware of the treasures around us.
I just discovered “What’s Better” today. I am a 72-year-old retired pastor. I was ordained in June, 1970. My father died the next day. I think the excitement of the occasion was too much for him.
I could have been so devastated by Dad’s death that my ministry could have been rendered fruitless. But by the grace of God,I wasn’t devastated, thanks to the pastor of my home church. He suggested that I be the celebrant at my Dad’s funeral liturgy but that I allow him to preach the homily while I could sit back and relax at preaching time.
Pastor Ed chose as his text the verses from Ecclesiastes 3 about “a time to be born and a time to die”, . . .etc . As Ed was reading the text, I was hearing in my mind the lovely voice of Judy Collins singing those words in “Turn, Turn, Turn.” And the spiritual healing process began for me at that moment.
After reading the text, Ed spoke briefly about how my devastation at the death of my father could be transformed through faith so that my ministry could be enhanced rather than diminished by what the Lord had allowed to happen. And Ed made his message more personal for me after the service when he told me that his own mother had died within a week after his ordination.
It was several years later that someone pointed out to me that “Turn, Turn, Turn” never gets as far as verse 11 with its wonderful promise that God will make everything beautiful in its time. But Pastor Ed included that verse and I have never forgotten it.
Thank you and bless you.
Roger
Even in the midst of tragedy God can bring smiles to our faces with lovely, personal blessings. Your experience is one example. Thank you for sharing your bittersweet story, Roger.