WOYWW: Intentionally Grateful!

I almost forgot to take a picture today!

I realize that my work space is getting smaller and smaller!

But I still get a painting done every single day!

Today I read in the 17th chapter of the Gospel of Luke 

about 10 lepers. Jesus instructed them to go to the priests.

On the way, all 10 lepers were healed.

Only one returned to Jesus.

Jesus said, "Ten were cleansed, were they not?

Where are the other nine?"

As I was thinking about this passage,

I thought about the survivors of the typhoon Haiyan

that ravaged 2/3 of my country.

Now that they lost their homes,

where do they seek shelter from the rain?

Where do they sleep?

Where do they get their food and water?

Where do they get their hope?

I do not want to be like the 9 lepers,

who did not even turn back 

and express their gratitude to God

for their healing.

They took it for granted.

I want to be like the one leper

who went back to Jesus,

fell at His feet and thanked Him.

I look back at my prayer journal,

and although I have a list of blessings,

I see days when I do not list even one.

I have to be more conscious, more awake,

more aware of what I have, of my blessings!

Scientific studies show 

that gratitude expressed and shared,

 restructures our brain,

physically remaps the connections in our brain,

and unlocks happiness and even, joy!

Digging up bad memories, hurts,

traumatic experiences, 

reinforces the negative and holds us back.

So let us be INTENTIONALLY grateful,

and let that gratefulness overflow

into blessing for others.

"Put on your apron..." Luke 17:8

Here Jesus tells us we are His servants,

and we should do what is our duty,

what we are obliged to do.

And what is it that we should do?

"What we do to the least of our brothers and sisters,

we do for Him." Matthew 25:40.

Perhaps the least of our brethren today 

are our hurting brothers and sisters

in the devastated areas of the Philippines!

Although what I can give is so meager

compared to the overwhelming, heartbreaking need,

I can trust that God will multiply what we give

as He did with the loaves and fishes the little boy

offered in Matthew 14.

Would you like to offer something

Jesus can multiply?

Visit CNN for a list of organizations

on the ground helping to provide the basic necessities.

Every week I choose one wonderful visitor

who leaves a comment

to receive an ATC from me.

I know it takes so much time and effort

to leave a comment

and I appreciate it soooo much!

This week,

Random.org chose

 #40, Jenny of  Big Family, Small Farm.

She has a big family of 9!

I wonder how she does it,

maybe she is superwoman

in disguise? :^))))

Previous Posts

For my growing collection of 

prompts, inspirations, creative pursuits,

courageous artists and their art,

join me here!

Joining the lovely Julia Dunnit for a 

peek at desks and projects!

 

I love blog parties!

Won't you join us?

Sometimes I put on my best pajamas 

and party here:

Count Your Blessings

Laura at the Wellspring, Word Art Wednesday, 

Whatever You Want Wednesday

Winsome Wednesdays, Wednesday's Word

Share the Joy, Doing You Well

Wednesday Christian Homemaking Link Party

What's It Wednesdays, Unite, WholeHearted Home,

 Rubie Tuesday Link Up, Be Inspired

True Vine Challenge, A Little R and R 
What We Accomplished, Wow Us Wednesdays
The Weekly Creative

Thoughtful Thursday,  Hearts4Home Thursdays

Thought Provoking Thursday

Thriving Thursdays with Serving Joyfully

Thursday Favorites, Desire to Inspire

Creative Things

Blessings!

Patsy

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