Thursday, November 1

21 days of gratitude - day 1 - little nudges

you know it's been a struggle around here lately. and part of that struggle has been realizing i need to focus more on my blessings, and less on my shortcomings, and throw up a little gratitude. like every day. maybe even every hour. well, the best laid plans...and, then i saw middle sissy was part of a group of bloggers spending the next 21 days focusing on gratitude, so i jumped on that bandwagon as it drove by. care to join me?

day uno - today i'm grateful for little nudges
this morning, i woke up at 4:40. maybe i went back to sleep, but i checked the clock again at 5:35, then got up at 5:45 when i felt a nudge saying 'get up with me and read your bible'. i really wanted to turn over and try to go back to sleep. really. but, i knew where that nudge came from - the spirit i've been looking searching for, so i climbed out of bed, grabbed my bible, journal and a blanket and set off for another room.

i got comfortable, and was a little nervous about opening my bible. it's truly embarrassing how little i know about the bible, so i was worried i'd turn to hellfire and brimstone, and just be full of fear for the day. well, when you're nudged outta bed, there's likely a plan. and, darned if i didn't turn to - out of 1500 pages - my most favorite scripture verse ever. the one that's gotten me thru yikes after whoa after you-have-got-to-be-kidding-me. the one i mighta posted as a facebook status. just.last.week.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  ~jeremiah 29:11
now if that didn't knock me on my rump! let me just say again - out of 1500 pages! the next verses are awesome, too. so imagine my surprise when i read middle sissy's gratitude post, and she had jeremiah 29:13 in hers.

after a little reflection and some praying, i decided to work on my homework for bible study, and guess what scripture showed up there?! pay attention to those little nudges - you'll never know where they might lead!

Inspired by Family Magazine

15 comments:

  1. SO true! Those little nudges can be life-changing!

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  2. I got goosebumps when you said that you'd posted that scripture as your status just.last.week.!

    Good for you for turning to your faith. My faith is always at it's strongest when I'm going through my toughest times.

    Had to giggle at your hellfire and brimstone comment. lol

    Hang in there girl. You're exactly where you're supposed to be right now. It's only just a stepping stone, and it's always temporary. x

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  3. God brings us exactly what we need when we need it, doesn't He? He is faithful. He always keeps His promises. Thank you for sharing your journey. Hugs :)

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  4. Try some praying or meditating on one concept like
    "compassion" or a word like "friendship". Breath in and concentrate on the word, then breath out and do the same. Try to keep other thoughts away, just concentrating on that one concept or word. If stray thoughts come, recognize them briefly, and go back to breathing. YOu will come out of this feeling refreshed. I always have to tell my brain, "Be quiet now, I'm busy. I can talk to you later." That really helps. :)

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  5. My Christian book club is reading and discussing "Buddha's Brain" and it's not about buddhism, it's about helping your own brain learn to be positive naturally so that you feel so much better. I love that book! Some of the scientific stuff is hard to remember, so I don't worry about it. But I do practice all the thoughts and ideas the book suggests. Next week we talk about kindness. I am the group leader so I have to get busy with our discussion ideas. I'm excited. Kindness is a wonderful concept!!!

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  6. What a special feeling when the little nudges in life align and you hear his words just when you need them the most. I'm looking forward to staring the 21 Days of Gratitude and hopefully be able to slow down more to hear his little nudges he sends just for me.

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  7. Thanks for sharing this lovely story. It is amazing how if we just stay quiet and listen we will be lead the way we are meant to go.

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  8. You are so right about those nudges! When I listen, they lead me to great places.

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  9. Yes, the "nudges" help me out too. I'm trying to read some from the scriptures every day and it is really helping me. I like to go to the bible dictionary and find a word that I want to look up - like charity, healing, forgiveness, whatever. Have a blessed day.

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  10. Thankyou for sharing that quote - I really think I needed to hear it today, maybe reading this post was supposed to be my little nudge!

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  11. I don't believe in coincidences so there is something afoot here! There are big things ahead for you! Listen to those little nudges because a whole bunch of them can lead you down a new path that is just right for you!

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  12. I got chills reading this. So awesome! Glad you responded to your little nudge.

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  13. God is good like that isn't He! So glad you joined in our 21 Days of Gratitude! Hope it's a blessing to you as it has been to me!
    ~mari

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  14. And your little blessing has now gone on to bless others like me! Thank you for that:)

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  15. I loved reading this Raeann! May you continue to heed His nudges!

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