Little Rosebud

A Spirit of Thankfulness

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One of my favorite movies growing up was the Disney film "Pollyanna" with Hayley Mills.  The movie was released in 1960 long before I was born; my mother was a toddler and my Father had just been born.  Yet, I found the movie to be timeless and the themes discussed seemed to be as applicable when I was a child as when the movie was released.  Pollyanna is an orphan of missionaries and has been sent to live with her foreboding aunt Polly Harrington.  Pollyanna learned to be optimistic from her father and when trouble arises she puts this to use and plays the "glad" game.  Many people in her position would not have much to be glad about but little Pollyanna keeps finding the best in people and in situations.  Many of the people that she comes across are rough and abrasive.  Folks that others have given up on as recluses and just nasty people; not Pollyanna!  Pollyanna sees something in the people that she meets and doesn't give up on them.  She is very truthful with them and does not sugar coat things...but she does so with love...to help them.  Pollyanna's spirit of gratefulness and thankfulness enables her to truly be a beacon of light, and that is what we are all called to be, lights on this dark earth.  I won't give away the ending for those of you that have not seen the movie but even Pollyanna has a moment when she needs to lean on the "faith of others" and that is what we are to do as Christians.  We are to live our lives with a grateful and thankful heart and lending some of the faith that come along with that to others when they need it.  

 No matter where you are starting out this November, it is my hope that this Bible reading plan helps to open your heart's ears to his heavenly voice.

Inscribe the Word

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November is such a beautiful quiet month to spend time with the Lord.  Writing out the word of God helps the words of the Bible to permeate our souls.  Writing helps us to hear God without the many distractions that often keep us from meditating on the meaning of the words that God left to guide our life.  Let this time be quiet, for God often speaks to us not loudly, but in a "still, small, voice."  I use a pretty journal, pens, and light a nice candle.   Then I put on soft music which really helps me to focus while I am reading and inscribing the Holy word...a cup of tea or cocoa helps too!  Each day when you are writing and studying, reflect on what the word means to you and what God may be telling you.

A psalm. For giving grateful praise.

1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

2 Worship the Lord with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs.

3 Know that the Lord is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his[a];

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations.

1 Kings 19:11-13

Study Schedule

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