Thankful Thursday

So, over at Becoming A Strong Woman of God they are participating in the Thankful Thursday challenge to list 22 things each week (on Thursday, of course, lol) for which they are thankful for. You can read more about it by clicking the name of the blog.

I have to admit, my spirit needs this tremendously tonight. I had considered waiting until the new year to begin this, but it cannot wait. I need to remember the things I am so very grateful for and that the Lord provides each and every day!

So without further ado and in no particular order, here are my first 22 Thankful Thursday thanks offerings:

~ 1 ~ My Heavenly Father
~ 2 ~ My husband...after the Lord, he is my rock here on earth
~ 3 ~ Taters, my firstborn and only daughter
~ 4 ~ Toughy, my delightful son
~ 5 ~ Roughy, my youngest and another precious son
~ 6 ~ Internet, to reach out to others and touch and be touched
~ 7 ~ Sunny Days
~ 8 ~ Rainy Days
~ 9 ~ Fresh picked apples
~ 10 ~ Homemade Applesauce
~ 11 ~ Knowledge to can and put up for later
~ 12 ~ The cars we drive
~ 13 ~ The song, "My Redeemer Lives"
~ 14 ~ My Mom
~ 15 ~ Peach Pie and other peachy goodness
~ 16 ~ The ability to crochet
~ 17 ~ Prayer Shawls
~ 18 ~ Lazy Saturday mornings
~ 19 ~ Homeschooling
~ 20 ~ Date nights with my hubby
~ 21 ~ Twinkling Stars on a balmy night
~ 22 ~ Cardinals baseball

If you appreciate all the good and perfect gifts in your life, go ahead and take a moment to be thankful. You can also join the blog hop for Thankful Thursday at Becoming a Strong Woman of God.

Until next time, much hugs and love and prayers,

Mr. Monday ~ Loving (and submitting to) My Husband

A couple of weeks ago, we were helping some friends and I had asked my son a question. Darling Groom answered me and instead of thanking him and heeding what he said (submitting to his answer) I impatiently (and sharply) replied that I had asked son. Thankfully, my husband was very gracious to accept my very sincere and public apology for it, but it bothered me that my flesh got it's way, albeit briefly and had to be "in control."

Some of you might not think that was rebellion in this area, others may think that I was right on to speak up. And while yes, my youngest son needs to work on his issues regarding authority (which is what I was concerned with), I realized in that moment that I too need to work on rebellion.

Ephesians 5:22 tells us to submit to our husbands as unto the Lord.

Most of us miss that last part. In fact, we use the excuse that he doesn't always love us as Christ loves the church (and there are men who will use the above verse for tyranny in the home, but that's another post for another day). The real question is, taking this verse in whole, are we being fully obedient to the Word?

Merriam Webster defines SUBMIT as "to yield to governance or authority."

It is easier for us to admit (at least) submission to the Lord even when our flesh doesn't want to. We may struggle and fight our flesh, but we strive to do so because we love the Lord.

It is even easier for us to submit to people we don't even know or at least not as well as our husbands.

WHAT? Yes, think about it. You submit every day to the authority of police, lawmakers, government officials, teachers, employers, so on and so on. Even unconsciously you submit to the "standards" that are a way of life. Do you go to the front of the line at the grocery store? No, you patiently wait your turn in line. You may think you are only being courteous, but you are submitting to the idea of fairness and courtesy. Do you speed down the highway, or at the very least, know you shouldn't do 55 in a 45? Then you are submitting (or should be) to the law. Each and every day we submit ourselves to people and ideas that our a way of life.

So why is it so hard to submit to the one man the Lord commands us to submit to?

Perhaps it would be easier to remember this verse and combine it with the command...Collossians 3:23, "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;"

Unless he is causing me to sin, then I should submit to Him as I do the Lord. As my husband and the man I chose above all others on this earth, to give him the courtesy I give the strangers in line at the grocery store is the very least I can do. But it goes deeper than that, it is borne out of love for him. It is a matter of trust in his governance of our home.

So, Darling Groom, thank you for being wise and for loving me as Christ loves the church--my faults and all. I pray that your love and forgiveness continue to cover me on those times I do fall short of this commandment, but know that it is in my heart to submit my life to yours and to give you the respect and love that is yours by merit of being my Darling Groom.

For more information on Mr. Monday Link-ups,
be sure to visit Servant, Wife, Mother

Date Your Husband Challenge! A Special Tuesday Edition of Mr. Monday

Good morning, beautiful friends! The sun is shining here and the Lord has blessed us with some cooler northerly breezes. Fall is definitely in the air. Not so great for the fruit and veg which suddenly decided to grow but it is definitely a welcome respite over the record-breaking heat we've had this summer. :)

There was no time to blog yesterday as Darling Groom and I were both taking care of projects around the home, so we have moved the Mr. Monday Post to today. Thanks for the understanding!

Today, I want to issue a challenge.

I read about this challenge on Becoming A Strong Woman of God. The challenge might seem simple (to "date" your husband one night each week) and you can do this in a lot of ways (a walk, dinner in or out, a big date, a couch snuggle date, etc.) but the goal is to set aside time each week to show your husband that he and the marriage God gave you is important!

It will be interesting, but I hope you will join us on this journey. And while the goal is one night a week, just think of the time you'll have together even if you don't make it each and every week. The investment of time, love and honor will be such a blessing to both you and your Mister.

So, please, pray about it and be sure to read the original post about this challenge over at Becoming A Strong Woman of God. (Full details are over there, click name hyperlink to be taken there!). The investment will be well worth every moment of planning!

And now, off to plan a special date with my Darling Groom.

For more information on Mr. Monday link-ups,
please visit Servant, Wife, Mother.

Here are other Mr. Monday links:
Mr. Monday! by Servant, Wife, Mother