About a week ago I purchased a new vacuum cleaner. I was so excited when I finally received it in the mail that I put it together that night. It was pretty simple to put together, and once it was together I started vacuuming my entire house. My hope, and prayer, was that this vacuum cleaner would make my carpets beautiful.
I really hated vacuuming with my old vacuum cleaner because it never got my carpets cleaned, I felt like all my efforts to clean my carpet was a failure. I hated the feeling that my efforts, and hard work, didn’t make that much of a difference.
However with my new vacuum cleaner I certainly don’t feel like that. It’s awesome. Now, it’s not a miracle worker. I still need to get my carpet’s steam cleaned, but I am thankful that it does the job it does. It really does make a difference.
Lately I have been feeling like my actions, efforts, and words of encouragement in this life haven’t been making much of a difference in anyone’s life. Just when I think I’ve finally made a difference, my 11 year old kindly reminds me with her actions that I really haven’t arrived, just yet. Kids are really good at keeping you humble, wouldn’t you say? Especially those pre-teens, and teenagers (haha!)
So I have been finding myself obsessed with vacuuming. It started the night I first vacuumed with my new vacuum cleaner, the moment I felt like my efforts paid off, I was hooked. I’ve been vacuuming everyday. Whenever I look at my vacuum cleaner I feel a sigh of relief, and a sense of excitement when it’s time to vacuum the house. I am motivated.
For a few days, this really freaked me out! I couldn’t understand WHY I was so motivated to vacuum, even more than reading the Bible and working on my Bible Study. I wanted to vacuum, and I was so disappointed when I had reached the final moments of vacuuming my floors. It really started to bother me, so I prayed “Why do I love vacuuming so much, God?”
I finally figured it out today after my Bible Study group met. It’s the sense of accomplishment I feel when I vacuum, and SEEING the difference I am making, that’s really motivating me.
Life can really be difficult at times. It’s hard to evangelize when so many people reject the word of God. It’s hard to raise your children when they continue to disobey you. I mean life can really make you feel small, like your efforts mean nothing.
But today I asked myself….”How many times have YOU expressed your appreciation for those that have made a difference in your life?” — My answer…I don’t even know.
I’ve decided that my Thanksgiving theme is going to be giving others what I need. And right now that’s just a word saying “You have made a difference in my life.” Because there have been SO many people in my life that have made such an awesome difference in my life, and I’m sure they don’t even know it. Which breaks my heart, because so many of them have continued on serving God without any real feedback from those around them. My goal this week is to give them feedback, and let them know that their life matters!
In my Bible Study today our leader recommended we pick a theme for Thanksgiving. At the time I had no idea what she was talking about. I was just like OK, my theme is to be thankful. But I am so grateful that God revealed a theme to me. I highly recommend you ask God to give you a theme for Thanksgiving. Please don’t expect it to be a theme where people serve you, the life God has given us is a life of sacrifice. We have already been served when Jesus died on the cross. Right now it is our turn to serve those around us.
I pray you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I would like to ask for your prayers, that I do the things God has asked me to do this Thanksgiving. And I of course will pray for God to reveal His theme for you.
-H
About CSAHM
That’s a great idea. I think that my theme this year has been/is not complaining, which is the opposite of gratitude that flows from contentment. I’ve been blogging on Fridays about topics of complaining. Today (I know it isn’t Friday) I shared a list of some scriptures that God’s Word shares about complaining.
My theme is to nurture and make room for gratitude by not complaining.
Check out my Friday themes on complaining at http://www.comehaveapeace.blogspot.com.
Being in service to Him and not with expecatation for returns, but to bring glory to Him..
Our pastor has had several great sermons based on John 14:12,“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask[a] anything in My name, I will do it.
That is pretty much our theme and something I plan to extend over the new year to come (wow, it’s almost here).
It’s a major challenge to remember, as the song once goes, “Once I was lost and now I’m found….” that our Father sent His Son to not heal those who are healthy, but those who are sick, who are lost, who are broken and who are “un-clean”.
He loves the unlikely, uses the unlikely, but more than anything, challenges us to go out of our comfort zone and be not just lighthouses, but sometimes it may mean a single flashlight for one person, and help them find their way to Him.
This is sometimes just done by simply doing anything and everything we do, be it housework, be it work work, or just simply taking the time to not just verbalize our love for Him, but by keeping it in mind, the simple act of being nice to a neighbor, or a stranger, is a way of being in service.
With it too, is the fact, that what we may do, no matter how little or how big, it’s not about getting noticed or expecting to get noticed, but making sure, it’s getting Him noticed.
Lol..okay that was probrably a bit more than you wanted to know. LOL
That is so beautiful.
I read such a similar post or article not too long ago about things unseen. Maybe you’ve read it, but in case you haven’t, here is the link: http://www.aholyexperience.com/2009/09/priorities-things-unseen.html
Have a great weekend
Thank you for sharing this idea! I didn’t realize I HAD a theme until I read your sweet words. A few weeks back I read on mom 24/7 about a project that helps a family to countdown to Thanksgiving. What really hit me about this project was that with each thankful focus there was an action tied to it. So if I am thankful for my parents I will write them a thank you note. If I am thankful for the food the Lord gives me then I will share food with others. I have learned over these past two weeks that this is easier said than done but wow the power is really in the actions. So all that to say that my theme this year is to act out my thankfulness. Blessings and Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving!
This has been a very difficul year for me.{Moved 2 }
I still have so very much to be Thanksful for as Thankgiving come closer. I have a family who we all will be together & I think of all the issues that came our way this year, Yet God is still very dear to our hearts.
I have a home, a good place to sleep, food on my table & shoes on my feet. I have the Lords love to Guide me & family & friends. We also enjoy with a passion making things. Also, good health!! I can say that God is good to me!! He hold me tight & helps me to stand when days are difficult. Yes I can say this Thanksgiving that I have much to be Thanksful !!!
I can say this has been one of my more difficult year. I say this from the bottom of my heart– very difficult. But I have a peace that passes all understanding.
God bless you so very much!!