{Thirty Days of Thanks~Day 1}

 

                                                       photo credit

 I can't believe it's already November 2011. I so enjoyed having a heart of gratitude and SAYING IT OUT LOUD (on this blog) last November that I decided I HAD to do it again. I struggled with whether or not to do this because of life's circumstances, but I just decided this: Life's circumstances are what they are and I can't run from them, but they REALLY influence EVERY part of my life---even my gratitude, so to not be honest with someone reading this wouldn't be fair.

You know my blog is titled, "Nelson Ramblings" for a reason! I've long admired the wordsmiths in this world---the one who can say such lovely ditties off the cuff, or write something so lovely it brings a tear to your eye. Well, that's not me---I'm a rambler---I hop back and forth between subjects, go on all sorts of tangents and take HUNDREDS of words to say what far fewer could say. But, that is who I am. I've embraced this part of my life---it drives some crazy, I'm sure, but those who love me are OK with it!  So, as I embark on this 30 days I invite you to join me---but just be aware (or beware!) I'm a rambler---so I will ramble through them!

SO, Thirty Days of Thanks-I have SOOOOO much to be thankful for this year. 2011 will likely go down as the longest year of my life---I went back and read last years' posts---many of these will probably be about similar things and yet everything in my life has changed this year. In June 2011, my husband of 26 years told our children that he was leaving me and wanted a divorce. Now, don't be scared---this won't be a month of moaning or griping about men. This will likely be the only mention of my husband, but I think in order for you to know how God is working in my life you have to know what is going on. I haven't really gone "public" with this in any way....I mean, people know, but I haven't changed my facebook status or worn the "I'm a single mom" t-shirt. SO, I'm walking through unforaged landscape at this point. My son hasn't told his friends, so for this reason, I don't say much about it in a public way. This change in my life caught me totally off guard. I'm sure people think "how could you not know?", but I really didn't. Details will not be provided here, but I will just say this: I NEVER dreamed this would happen to me, nor did I EVER WANT this to happen to me. But, it did. This is my new reality and I'm learning to cope. I have honestly gotten through this year because I decided that my ten year old deserved to have at least one happy parent and it had to be me---so I have truly been FOCUSED on how beautiful my life is inspite  of the really horrible reality of my marriage. God's grace has never been more tangible in my life; the beauty of the smallest things in life have loomed large over me. God has provided me with the most amazing family, and set of girlfriends---I could NEVER repay them for their gift of friendship. You will hear many of these simple realitites this month---most of what I'm thankful for aren't grand---just the beauty of God's blessings in my life. I have SO much to be thankful for---so, thanks for stopping by today---tomorrow will not be so general in nature---I'll try to give one thing I'm thankful for everyday of this month. I have come to love Psalm 116---God has used it in my life to lift my heart when it is heavy. So, I leave you with that.

Psalm 116

1 I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy.

2 Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.

3 The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish.

4 Then I called on the name of the LORD: "O LORD, I pray, deliver my soul!"

5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; our God is merciful .

6 The LORD preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me.

7 Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.

8 For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling;

9 I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

10 I believed, even when I spoke: "I am greatly afflicted";

11 I said in my alarm, "All mankind are liars."

12 What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me?

13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD,

14 I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.

15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. 

16 O LORD, I am your servant, the son of your maidservant. You have loosed my bonds. 

17 I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD.

18 I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,

19 in the courts of the house of the LORD, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD!