Tag / prayer

by Janet

Give Thanks…

NO MATTER WHAT

Hmmm… well isn’t that a wee bit grandiloquent?!

Between the Word of the Day, grandiloquent, and the weekend writing prompt, peristeronic, I’m beginning to think that I need to keep a thesaurus and a dictionary at my desk! 

Grandiloquent: Language or behavior is very formal, literary, or exaggerated, and is used by people when they want to seem important. Fancy or pretentious. 

Honestly, I don’t think that being cheerful, praying, and giving thanks no matter what is grandiloquent at all. It’s biblical.

Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18 (MSG)

I thought that this might be the perfect opportunity to submit my entry to Out of the Ashes, for the challenge: New Directions—a prompt that was started by yours truly—ME.

It’s terribly awkward, spreading myself so thin like that… but these are the COVID days, and I think that most of us can agree… anything goes.

I have a zillion things that I could write about new directions—starting over or changing the course of your life—but I think that the perfect starting point is gratitude; being grateful for every single thing in your life: A roof over your head, food on the table, or even the basics like air, soap and water.

I think that when we learn to be grateful for “life itself”—when we’re cheerful, prayerful, and thankful—it clears paths and opens doors. An ungrateful mind is muddled with negativity and complaints, and it creates a toxic fog.

The more we focus on despair and hopelessness, the cloudier it gets. After awhile, we can’t even see ahead of us let alone try to change our course! Mindsets are crucial, and I like to think that this biblical instruction is offering us truth and wisdom about the value and benefit of having a healthy and positive mindset.

So, at the risk of sounding grandiloquent, “be cheerful, pray, and give thanks… no matter what!”

Written for Word of the Day Challenge: Grandiloquent, and Out of the Ashes prompt: New Directions.

The featured image is another friend portrait that I did. The leaves were added as a finishing touch, and I couldn’t help but think that a woman celebrating the falling leaves (which my friend would inevitably do) was the perfect representation of gratitude.

The “oil paint” tool on my old PC never worked before—I think because of my graphic card—and I realized yesterday, while working on my “moon art,” that it’s available to me now, on my new laptop. Hence the new oil paint effect.

And I couldn’t be more grateful!

That’s about all for now. Peace & love to you all…

by Janet

Winds of Change

The sky is ablaze,

Logic is lost in anger,

Winds of change are here.

I needed to work on some art, and post some words today. Ronovan Writes Haiku Challenge: Anger & Logic sort of landed right in front of me at the right moment.

I’m doing a lot of praying over here. Black lives matter indeed, and that is not a new idea to me. Seeing the hatred and anger that I’ve seen lately, on the other hand, simply brings me to tears. I’m just heartbroken. I’m trying to stay off of social media because I see nothing but daggers being thrown around in there. I hope my Haiku says something good. It’s a bit ambiguous, but change is coming.

Anyway, I pray that resolutions come swiftly and peacefully, and that great progress is made. Life is good, and God is so, so great. We are all a part of His wonderful tapestry, woven out of magnificent colors, so let’s celebrate our diversity with love.

Artwork
by Janet

The Quarantine Project

Resurrecting Gratitude

When the (unofficial) quarantine began, I was on a mission. Two if you count the New Lifestyle New, New Me project—but that actually started before “everything changed.” What I’m referring to, and what I totally lost sight of, were my Daily Gratitude posts. It completely slipped my mind.

How easy it is to forget gratitude. For me anyway. I was reminded of this by Rebekah at forty-one-ten (who I just discovered and started following because she’s a wonderful writer). Rebekah proposed a new idea,

The Quarantine Writing Project

And here are her words on the project:

“Write about the ways in which you and your family fill the long hours of each day. Or write about your hopes and fears. Write about the things you’ve witnessed (good or bad). Write something funny. Or write about the things for which you’ve learned to be grateful during this difficult time.”

I’ve been hemming and hawing over this for a few days. To be honest, and please don’t hold this against me, it’s hard to come up with “quality” content right now. Benjamin Franklin sure got it right…

“Either Write Things Worth Reading or Do Things Worth the Writing.”

It’s hard to find new material while sitting in my living room. BUT, I can always find something to be grateful for—which would include the fact that I even HAVE a living room to sit in.

So, without further ado… Today I am EXTREMELY grateful that the rain has stopped and the sun is shining. I think the rain has been harder (on those of us in my household) than any fears or restrictions imposed on us due to the virus. I’m grateful that I’m healthy and strong, and able to walk… so I’m off to do just that; I’m going to take a walk.

I pray that my body and soul are nourished and energized by the exercise and the sunshine, and that new ideas will fill my heart and mind so that I’ve something of value to share with you all upon my return.

I may just take my camera… still debating.

Have a blessed day everyone!