'Journey'
14 x 14 Watercolor Framed
Available through The Dutch Art Gallery during the Artists of Texas Show
Where Texas Finds Its Color.
Nov 2 - Dec 31st
Available through The Dutch Art Gallery during the Artists of Texas Show
Where Texas Finds Its Color.
Nov 2 - Dec 31st
© Laurie Justus Pace Graphics One Design 2010
These fall days are by far my most favorite. Savoring the last of warmth in the late afternoon and waking to a brisk morning... what a beautiful life.
Yesterday afternoon Terry kidnapped me and we went for a three hour drive through the countryside around the north side of the lake. Simply Gorgeous! Everything. The trees were wearing their most vibrant colors and the sun was brimming in brilliance sparkling through the rich leaves. Again Lord, what a beautiful life.
Time for me to think about Thank You Notes to Heaven. Do you remember as a kid growing up your mom introducing you to the fact that you needed to write thank you notes to Aunt Sally and to Grandma? Patiently she would print out a sample explaining the format. Don't ever just rush into the note saying "Thank you for the red sweater. I will wear it often." The idea was to greet the person you were writing, share thoughts with them, thanking them and making the contact meaningful.
"Dear Grandma,
You are the best grandma a girl could have. I try hard to be the best granddaughter I can be, but I know I do not write very often. (AH remember no Internet back then.) Please forgive me for not writing before now. You were very kind to remember my birthday and send me this soft red sweater that you made especially for me. I will wear it often and when I do, I will think of you and how special you are in my life. You always seem to know exactly what I need and want before I even tell you. In case you don't know, I put a little red spinning machine on my Christmas list, so I can make things like you do. Maybe one day I can knit a red sweater for my own granddaughter.
So when you think about giving God a shout or writing Him a thank you note, take the time to mean what you say and say what you mean. Try the ACTS method.
Yesterday afternoon Terry kidnapped me and we went for a three hour drive through the countryside around the north side of the lake. Simply Gorgeous! Everything. The trees were wearing their most vibrant colors and the sun was brimming in brilliance sparkling through the rich leaves. Again Lord, what a beautiful life.
Time for me to think about Thank You Notes to Heaven. Do you remember as a kid growing up your mom introducing you to the fact that you needed to write thank you notes to Aunt Sally and to Grandma? Patiently she would print out a sample explaining the format. Don't ever just rush into the note saying "Thank you for the red sweater. I will wear it often." The idea was to greet the person you were writing, share thoughts with them, thanking them and making the contact meaningful.
"Dear Grandma,
You are the best grandma a girl could have. I try hard to be the best granddaughter I can be, but I know I do not write very often. (AH remember no Internet back then.) Please forgive me for not writing before now. You were very kind to remember my birthday and send me this soft red sweater that you made especially for me. I will wear it often and when I do, I will think of you and how special you are in my life. You always seem to know exactly what I need and want before I even tell you. In case you don't know, I put a little red spinning machine on my Christmas list, so I can make things like you do. Maybe one day I can knit a red sweater for my own granddaughter.
Thank you. I love you. Laurie"
So when you think about giving God a shout or writing Him a thank you note, take the time to mean what you say and say what you mean. Try the ACTS method.
ADORATION
CONFESSION
THANKSGIVING
SUPPLICATION
Heavenly Father; Great Creator of all visible and invisible; praises to thy name. I realized today that it has been awhile since I stopped to talk to you. I should not harbor angry frustration for things or people I cannot change. I should have prayed to you when I felt left out and my feelings were hurt. I should have prayed to you and shared the negative thoughts that rolled through my mind. I have sinned in so many ways big and small, I feel unworthy...and yet on this beautiful day you graced me with a fall day more brilliant than any painted canvas or photograph. I am undeserving of your gifts and your grace and yet you continue to bountifully bless my life with so many good things. Waking in the morning with my husband/best-friend smiling at me as I open my eyes; the peace of breaking our fast in the morning together praying for your blessings on our day, on our family with your guidance and your love; gracing us with good health and sound bodies; providing the food that we eat blessed in turn by all the hands that participated in growing it, shipping it, selling it and preparing it; safe guarding our country and our soldiers across the world; guiding those who govern our state and country; Watch over our family near and far. Grant them the gifts they need for this day. Light the way for all of us as we give to others unselfishly with the same abundance you give to us. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit I pray. Amen.
Count your blessings today and send up a Thank You Note to Heaven.
Laurie
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”- Ephesians 2:8-9
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”- Ephesians 2:8-9
