The Angelus
oil on canvas by Jean-Francois Millet
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,
and comes down from the Father of lights,
with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
- James 1:17
In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Today we celebrate Full of Hope's first month of life.
On November 13, Andre Elijah was born with neonatal pneumonia and a blood infection that required him to be treated with three kinds of antibiotics within a few hours after he came into this world.
Friends and loved ones offered prayers for the full recovery of this tiny baby, and eleven days later, he was discharged from the hospital, fully healed.
As we celebrate Full of Hope's first month of life, my heart brims over with gratitude.
This baby is like an infusion of fresh blood to our family, a new experience.
In my case, Ernie and I went home with our newborn baby three days after I gave birth. This was true in all of our three children.
This time we had to wait...and hope...and believe... and trust.
God was preparing new faith lessons for us to learn.
I am glad that I did not give voice to fear, but rather held on to hope and life. Many times, during the early days of his life, I found myself saying these words, "Thank You, Jesus."
My heart of gratitude built up my faith, and sustained me and my family through the difficult hours.
But being thankful did not come naturally to me. It is something that I had to learn the hard way.
I used to be a complainer, a fault-finder.
Gradually that changed. God exposed the unhealed anger wounds within, and as I allowed Him to pour His healing balm on them, peace came.
God taught me how to forgive those who had hurt me.
I found out first hand that forgiveness is a major requirement to becoming a thankful person.
As long as I nurtured unforgiveness in my heart, I was demanding and hard to please.
These traits can be hidden, and even I was not aware of the pride and the hardness of my heart.
Forgiveness opens the prison door and sets the captives free.
As in everything, it is an ongoing process. But I am seeing the beauty of having gratitude as the canvas on which God paints the story of my life.
To be thankful in everything, not just for the good circumstances, the material provisions, the plans that turn out the way I want them to, the approval and understanding of friends... no, not just that.
It is easy to have an attachment to circumstances, and to be thankful only when the sun is shining, or when I am feeling loved and affirmed.
I want to be grateful...for life and what it brings. Embracing joy and sorrow, pain and pleasure, sickness and health... being thankful without conditions, without reservation.
Gratitude helps uncover the true beauty hidden underneath the circumstances of our lives.
Worshiper, Chosen One and their baby Full of HopeDecember 13, 2010
My dear grandson, Elijah...
Today I bless you with a heart that will learn early in life to forgive... so that it will be a seedbed on which the seeds of gratitude will germinate and grow.
I pray that you will have a heart that is just so thankful for life, grateful to be given an opportunity to live.
The enemy tried to discourage us, planting doubt and fear when you were born...but that evil plan was thwarted, and God turned it around.
And today we are thanking God for you, for your full recovery, for the provisions, for the victory.
As I see you growing, may I be reminded to be grateful.
As your parents gain more experience and confidence at bringing you up, may they do it in a godly way, and may their hearts be thankful for the privilege and the trust.
By our example, may you learn what it is to be thankful. May your heart be enlarged by a grateful spirit, not grasping, demanding, or self-centered.
Today I thank God for you, dear Full of Hope and Mighty Warrior.
I ask God to give you a heart softened by thankfulness, so that it will be a well of refreshing to the people whose lives you will touch.
Love,
Nana
A mini fruity cheesecake to mark Full of Hope's first monthGratitude is the mother of all virtues.
- Cicero
17 comments:
As in everything, it is an ongoing process. But I am seeing the beauty of having gratitude as the canvas on which God paints the story of my life.
Your words here, echo my heart as I once was a grumbler and faultfinder as well, but I desired and continue to desire to no longer be that person. I have a choice and I am choosing the HOPE!
Love to you,
Yolanda
What a precious little one! So thankful God blessed you with a healthy grandson..despite the initially shaky start.
Hope! What a wonderful word! It is a word that I will be focusing on as I participate in our church's Christmas Eve service. Jesus gives us hope.
Leah
What a sweet little boy and such a blessing to your family! I'm glad he is doing well I'm sure God has great plans for him!
Dear Lidj,
You have given baby Elijah the best name thinkable: Full of Hope.
I just love that name and want to wrap him safely in that name.
A preacher once said, we should live IN Romans 8.
I give you verse 24
24"For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?"
It is amazing that you gave the boy, your grandson his name, even before he was born.
He is born in hope, shall live and get saved in hope.
Amen.
What a beautiful outcome .. full of hope! Your new addition is truly a blessing and will bring much life to your family. Love the picture of daddy, mommy, and baby!
Hugs,
Praise God! I don't want to say much because this really is a very tender post. Blessings and joy to you all!
Lidj -
What a lovely prayer you have offered for Full of Hope. I hope you have copied this down for him to keep his whole life. A Nana's thoughts are so precious - I know that he would love to read them often someday...
I find it hard to believe that you were ever a fault-finder. You have such a gracious spirit that just shines out from your writing. I think you're right - an attitude of gratitude can work miracles!!
Happiest One Month birthday, Full of Hope Elijah - you are a precious, precious baby. And God has a wonderful life planned for you. His protection over your new life has already been a faith lesson to so many.
GOD BLESS, Lidj - please give my best to your family - especially Worshiper and Chosen One.
Congratulations..yes, there are always so much left to give thanks to whom all blessings flow.
Blessings,
Silver
leo and i were just watching a beth moore bible study on forgiveness ... so reading your post went so well with the lesson we just heard ...
blessings on you and your family - as you bless the One who gave you (gave us all) everything!
Hi Lidj -
Thank you for this rich piece. You are certainly right about forgiveness. It is so vitally necessary. You ministered indeed with your reminders to us.
I love the picture of your family.
It is a lovely shot.
And the prayer to your grandson - so precious and full of wisdom.
Thank you for sharing your love for our Lord and your joy and trust in Him.
Hi Lidj, What a beautiful family pic . . how sweet too! Isn't it funny, how we are all learning so much about forgiveness these days . . Are we truly getting ready to see God again . . I'm excited, just thinking about it. You definitely see so much more when you have a heart of gratitude . . Many blessings to you my friend, Sandy:O)
Lidj,
Good morning! Thank you so much for stopping in and for your praising God with me on my Spiritual Birthday. May we both, continue to tune into the Dial of God's Word and heed the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit.
Merry Christmas-
Love,
Yolanda
Forgiveness...it is a process and sometimes when I`ve forgiven...and thought I`d let it go...whoosh...there it is again right in my lap. I do it again and soon...I find myself needing to do it again and again and again...70 X 7. Like you Lidj, I`ve found forgiveness frees me. I think it`s one of the hardest things though to do.
And love that little baby...too cute.
Dear dear Lidj,
He is beautiful. So so so beautiful. What precious child!
Your words on gratitude really spoke to my heart and the prayer for your sweet grandson says perfectly what is on your heart.
I am thankful for you, for coming here and being able to read your words, full of hope, light, and wisdom and faith. Thankful for the faith and encouragement you spread to others. I know I have said it before, but I never fail to leave here uplifted. You have so much honesty, strength and wisdom to share and I love that.
God bless you and your beautiful family with peace, health and love during this Christmas season and always.
Love Colleen
What an absolutely beautiful message and family! Your heart is full of hope in the LORD for your precious family and what JOY I can feel within your words.
Grateful for my family too and blessings over your dear grandson and the entire family.
Love and Christ's blessings!
Hi Lidj -
How goes it?
If you feel so led, please go to my blog www.lioneaglesoar.blogspot.com and read under the SEPARATE TAB AREA, the topic titled, "HOME FOR CHRISTmas" and the prayer that follows.
Also, on the MAIN area, I posted today the topic, "EGYPTITIS - A STROLL DOWN EXODUS LANE."
Thank you, Lidj, for your consideration.
Your cake is delicious-looking! And so perfect for one month! You son, DIL and grandson are a beautiful family! Your prayer for your grandson touched my heart, reminding me of how I felt when each of my sons was born - especially The Fire and Power of the Holy Spirit - who was held by the hand of God on the day he was born - it is so important to speak these prayers, tell them the stories, remind them of God's hand on their lives! I think as a parent, it is those moments that sustain me when parenting challenges come:) Thank you for remding me of those precious moments! Your children and grandchildren are so blessed with your heart!
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