You might have noticed that I haven’t been blogging much during the month of October, and, for my distance, I want to apologize.  To be perfectly honest, I’ve had a challenging month and I went into a bit of a hibernation.  I plan to tell you about it more later, but in the meanwhile I gladly welcome November!!!  We will be focusing on the theme of “GRATITUDE” this month as we prepare our hearts for that beloved day that many associate with turkey, football, second helpings, colorful leaves, and warm drinks: Thanksgiving.

I don’t know about you, but I am overjoyed to dive into the holiday season.  Last year, my husband and I decided to take things very slow and even “undercommit” during Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I am so grateful that we spent our first married holiday season that way so that we could savor every moment and truly wrap our hearts around the meaning of each celebration.  It was as though we were enjoying a twelve course meal over a long evening and able to delight in every bite… simply because we made a decision to be deliberate about remembering the purpose.

This is my prayer for you over the next two months as we celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s:  Jesus, we thank you for your love that is exquisite and spectacular – far better than anything else we could ever experience or desire.  Thank you for lavishing on us your grace, kindness, and faithfulness, even when we are not aware of your generosity.  Please help us to wholeheartedly engage with you during this season of celebration.  Please give us an acute awareness of your presence no matter what we have going on over the next couple of months.  Help us to choose you… every day.  We love you, Lord!