Cultivating Gratitude

“From the rising of the sun to its setting, The name of the LORD is to be praised.”—Psalm 113:3 (NASB)

With it being November, I always feel compelled to write about gratitude. If you have been following my ups and downs when I was helping with caring for my mother, you know how much of a struggle it was for me to find joy each day.

When I was going through that challenging time with my mom, I had to be very intentional about being appreciative. If I focused too much on the situation, it sucked the joy out of me. Not only was it affecting my headspace mentally, emotionally and spiritually, but also my health.

The only way to get me out of what I called a spiritual “funk” was when I would thank God for my blessings, which were many. Taking the focus off me and back on Him is the only way to get out of that spot. Ingratitude can spring up so easily when we don’t fill our hearts with thanksgiving.

Gratitude is our response to what has happened, is happening as well as what will happen in our future. I can look back on my past and give Him praise for all He has done for me as well as in my here and now. Thanking God for who He is and what He has done brings us closer to Him. It deepens our relationship with Him.

Writing down or speaking out loud what you are thankful for is a mood booster. It takes you away from complaining and feeling sorry for yourself. When I talked about my mom’s negative behaviors, I couldn’t see my daily blessings. Practicing gratitude helps you to sift out the negativity of the world.

This Thanksgiving season, may we thank God that are sins are forgiven with our ultimate destination a new heaven and earth. Being guaranteed a heavenly inheritance is the best reason to rejoice and give thanks.

Knowing one day, I will be with my Lord and Savior FOREVER is the one thing that gives me hope. I know my last day here on this earth isn’t the end for me. Praise Jesus!

Father God,

Teach me to be thankful no matter what life brings. I ask for grace when I don’t calmly handle difficulties. Thank You, that NOTHING can separate me from Your Love. Holy Spirit, control my mind. Fill it with peace and joy despite the chaos of our unpredictable world. Open my eyes to all the blessings You provide each day. I lift those up to You who feel as if they are drowning in their circumstances. May they see Your hand in their life. Bless them with people to lighten their load. I pray these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

November Verse

“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.”—Psalm 113:3

If you are knitting or crocheting gifts to give away, please make sure you tweet @KnitPrayShare or share your projects on the Knit, Pray, Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtag #KnitPrayShare. Be sure to attach a tag to whatever gift you make.       

Living Life Well

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful servants.”—Psalm 116:15

Since starting this blog 8 years ago, I have mentioned an aunt who not only prayed for my salvation as a young adult, but also became one of my spiritual mentors once I was saved.

Sadly (but also a celebration for where she is), my Aunt June went to be with Jesus last Sunday, September 7th. While I didn’t get to talk to her, I had been communicating with one of my cousin’s. She was at peace knowing she had lived her life well. At 84 years old, she was ready to meet Jesus.

She was a woman who truly finished the race well. Up until her last days on this earth, she was still praying for the salvation of family members. She had a heart to save the lost. She wanted everyone she loved to know Jesus so she would one day be reunited with them in heaven.

Over the past three decades, she was someone who not only helped me in my faith walk, but being a writer herself, she was the person who encouraged and gave me the confidence to be an author. I knew I could always call or email her for advice.

I will never forget talking to her when I was recently widowed, crying to her. I couldn’t understand why a loving God could leave me a pregnant single mom. She told me, there wasn’t a way to answer that. We live in an imperfect broken world where bad things happen to good people. She went on to say, Lisa, you have two choices in life. You can either choose the “I” or the “E.” You can be bitter and angry because of what happened to You, or you can be a better person because of it. God will use you.”

I needed to hear that. For me, that wasn’t much of a choice. However, had I not had Jesus in my heart, bitterness could have easily taken root. I thank her and the many others who had been praying for my salvation for that gift.

She was also someone who you knew if you asked her to pray for you, she would faithfully do so. I would do the same for her. I can only hope to be who she was for me for someone else.

Even though, the inspiration for this post was my aunt’s recent passing, I feel as if I should also mention another faithful servant for the Lord, who went to be with Jesus this week.

If you didn’t know who Charlie Kirk was, by now you probably do. Having listened to his podcasts and debates over the years, they weren’t hateful as some are portraying. He spoke God’s truth. He would go to college campuses having civil conversations with those who opposed his views. He boldly defended the morals and values of our Bible.

I can’t help but think of his wife, Erika. I know what it is like to have a husband unexpectedly and tragically die at too young of an age. I know the grief and heartache she is feeling right now. I can’t imagine on top of that having to deal with some of the hate, anger and unkind words being spewed about the man she so dearly loved on top of that. Praying the love and support pouring out to her from all over the world will cancel out negative comments being said.

I still can’t believe she went on national television to speak about her husband’s assassination two days after his death. She has thousands maybe even millions of people praying for her. It is through these prayers she was able to speak like she did.

I resonated with her saying her husband’s death would not be in vain. Of course, my circumstances were totally different. This is when I was reminded of my Aunt June’s words with me about choosing the “E” and not the “I.” 

None of us are immune to bad things happening to us. However, we can make this world a better place by staying true to our faith just as my aunt and Charlie Kirk did and what his wife will continue to do.

Not all of us are called overseas to be missionaries. We have a mission field outside our front door. Making the name of the Lord known is our greatest job to accomplish here on earth. God invites us to be a part of proclaiming who He is. We live out our faith to the watching world. We share Jesus’ death and resurrection until we are called home.

Father God,

I lift those who are grieving the death of a loved one. May they feel the intercessory prayers being prayed on their behalf. I thank You for blessing me with a spiritual mentor like my Aunt June. I ask that one day, I can be that for someone else. I know You will lead and equip me to share my faith as well as help me grow someone else’s. I lift up the Kirk family as they navigate this unexpected tragedy. Continue to comfort and surround them with people who speak life and truth into their lives. I know good can come out of what the enemy meant for evil. Prick hearts to rise up to be bold in their faith and not bow down to the narrative of the culture. I pray these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

 September Verse
“You have a strong arm; Your hand is mighty, Your right hand is exalted.”—Psalm 89:13 (NASB)

If you are knitting or crocheting gifts to give away, please make sure you tweet @KnitPrayShare or share your projects on the Knit, Pray, Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtag #KnitPrayShare. Be sure to attach a tag to whatever gift you make.