With Thanksgiving

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.

Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done."

Philippians 4:6 NLT

I just love this verse. It is such a great, yet simple, reminder for me. Often, I take it very literally. I write out my list of worries and needs and thank God for His provisions, both seen and unseen. I am a pro at worrying. When I was small, my mom used to call me "grandma" because I had so many worries for such a young girl. It comes very natural for me to worry.

Often, I need a reminder to share my concerns with my Lord. Somehow, I have it in my head that I can handle everything on my own and should only bother Him when I am at my breaking point. I don't know why I don't just go to Him with the first seed of doubt. It is so much better to simply allow Him to carry my burdens.

Lately, my list of worries seem to revolve around loss and finances. My dear grandmother recently passed away leaving a huge, gaping hole in my heart. My amazing, long-time friend and confident is packing up her family to head to Africa. My husband is unemployed. The list goes on if I allow it....

God knows my needs. He has been extremely faithful in fulfilling my needs even in the midst of my unfaithfulness. He is so good. I miss my grandma and I will miss my friend incredibly. And there is never enough money to go around for a young family. But God has been so good. He has offered new friends, opportunities and peace and asks only that I trust Him.

I am so thankful. My husband and I have not fallen into more debt, and just this week, I was offered a new job. I am meeting new friends and connecting with old friends in new ways. Our family is healthy and happy. We are surrounded by wonderful, godly people who lift us up in prayer and share their lives with us. We live in a time when Africa is just an email away. Don't you just love the Internet? We have a song in our heart and some of us are even on key! We have an abundance of food and more clothes and toys than we know what to do with. We enjoy a warm home on a very, very cold day. We lack nothing except perfection. And I am content.

Thank you, Lord, for your goodness to me and my family. Thank you for your abundant provision, your steadfast love, and your unlimited forgiveness. You are so good! You alone are worthy of my praise.

Friends

One of the things I am most thankful for is friends. God has surrounded my life with several special, amazing ladies. These friends, some newer, some long-time, some near, some far, have: sustained me in my sorrow, encouraged me with hope, listened with empathy, shared from their hearts, filled me with laughter, moved me to tears, tipped me off on great bargains, corrected my faults in love, crafted the night away, and lifted me up in prayer. Truly, what more could a girl want?

Today was one of the most fun days I have had in a while. One of my dear, near friends and I decided to so some stamping and card making. Well, I sorted through my craft supplies, loaded way too much of it into the mini-van, and headed out. I was late, as usual, but being the forgiving person that she is, all was well. We chatted, ate, drank our diet Pepsi's and laughed. Well, we never did get around to any paper crafting, but we did accomplish something! We played beauty shop! By the time I left, she had a gorgeous streak of fuchsia in her dark hair, and I had radiant blond highlights in mine! And, of course, we took plenty of pictures to commemorate the occasion! Hmm, I wonder what we will end up doing when we get together to scrap-book all of those pictures?!

To all my friends, old and new and yet to be, I love you!

Love

So, last night I was thinking about love, real love, sincere love, God's love. There was a time when I thought I knew what real love was. Then, I met my husband. For me, love was forever redefined. I can't give you an actual definition. My simple words cannot encompass all that I discovered to be true about love. Nor do I claim to completely understand the complexity of love. But, I am certain of this....after 14 years of marriage to an amazing man, after being known and understood and treasured still, and knowing the truth that God loves me even more than my wonderful man, I stand humbled and stunned in His love. And for a brief moment, I "grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ." (Ephesians 3:18 NIV) How about you? Who or what in your life has been used to reveal more about God's love to you?

Beginning

SAVVY HAPPY is home to encouraging and inspiring thoughts on everyday things like reading, crafting, conserving and believing, particularly as they relate to women and nurturing.

I will share my heart, my passions, with no apology. Thanks for keeping your comments C&K (clean and kind).

Have a blessed day!