Thankful Thursday Part 4...and a way to help a family in need

This week our sweet little book club is reflecting on Chapter 4 of Ann Voskamp's book One Thousand Gifts. Even though the Thanksgiving holiday is over I still have so much to learn about being thankful and this book along with the girls reading it with me continue to be such a blessing. This week's chapter really spoke to me. It was about how we use the time that we are given. "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us." -JRR Tolkien (Lord of the Rings anyone?)

So many times I catch myself rushing around from one thing to the next...always in a hurry...always looking ahead, but ultimately missing out on so many moments right in front of me. "Being in a hurry. Getting to the next thing without fully entering the thing in front of me. I cannot think of a single advantage I've ever gained from being in a hurry. But a thousand broken and missed things, tens of thousands, lie in the wake of rushing..." (page 65) It makes me sad to think of all the things I've missed out on because I was in such a hurry and for what? When you are rushing around from thing to thing your not living fully as God intended. "I only live the full life when I live fully in the moment." (page 68)

I never feel like there are enough hours in the day for me to do everything I need to do...grade papers, lesson plan, cook dinner, do laundry, spend time with my husband, catch up with friends and family, blog, workout, etc. but I need to be thankful in each moment that I am in because thanksgiving creates abundance. When there wasn't enough food for a crowd, instead of rushing around, worrying that there wasn't enough or giving up and moving on, Jesus simply gave thanks for what he was given and provided more than enough for the crowd. (John 6:11) We need to do the same thing: give thanks for what we are given and trust that God will take care of the rest.

I was scanning through my blog list last night and I came to Erin's blog and read about Issac. My heart aches for this young boy who is battling brain cancer for the second time. I can't imagine all his parents are facing right now, but I do know they are living out each moment they have left with their son. I know they are thinking about all the happy times they have shared and that they are cherishing every second they are still together on this Earth. Erin is wanting to blow this family away with cards, prayers, donations, etc. so take a minute to check out her blog or donate below.

Whether we are given a few short years to live or 100, the way we spend our time makes all the difference. Soak in all the moments instead of letting them pass you by in a hurry. Stop and give thanks randomly throughout the day for things you might normally take for granted. Every day, every minute, every second is a gift.

Emily from Meme & He
Tara from A Brew of Blessings
Katie from Hope Engaged
Kristen from Love, Done Simply