{be what thankful is} now.

What does thankful look like?

Maybe it looks like a woman

scorned by society...

that had a reputation that ran ahead of her.

Who came to a well

at noon-

when the sun was hottest and highest-

in order to avoid the stares of others.

Perhaps she'd heard 

enough of their

chatter

and noise

about her and her life.

Their judgment perhaps was too much for her to bear 

another day.

So she went to the well at noon.

Maybe she was thankful for the silence.

What does thankful look like?

Maybe it looks like the Man with 

dusty feet and ruddy skin.

The Man who came by the well that day

perhaps not to drink water, 

but to offer it.

He traveled right through this area that 

was normally avoided. 

He knew she would be there at that moment

seeking solace.

Seeking water.

He knew.

What does thankful sound like?

Perhaps it sounds like the woman

who couldn't keep from telling her friends 

about this Man who

knew it all-

her past, her present, all-

and offered her a new life.

She found compassion and hope in Him. 

He did not scorn her

or chastise her

or cast a wayward glance her way.

He looked her in the eyes

and offered her a better way.

And she couldn't keep it in.

She told everyone,

and they believed for themselves.

On this Thanksgiving Day-

and every day-

we are offered the same.

Thirsty? Hungry? Lonely? Hopeless?

Get quiet with Jesus and accept His offer of new life.

Of hope.

And grace.

And mercy.

And love.

Again and again.

Be what thankful is.

Many of the Samaritans from that village committed themselves to him because of the woman’s witness: “He knew all about the things I did. He knows me inside and out!” They asked him to stay on, so Jesus stayed two days. 

A lot more people entrusted their lives to him when they heard what he had to say. They said to the woman, “We’re no longer taking this on your say-so. 

We’ve heard it for ourselves and know it for sure. 

He’s the Savior of the world!

~John 4:39-42

Many blessings,

Deni

{good morning} thursday.

Good morning.

Welcome to Thursday. 

It's just one (!) week until Thanksgiving.

How is your thankfulness list going?

Me?

I have a head cold that is creeping its way into my throat and chest.

This is the point every year when I lose my voice. For days.

Every year.

And sometimes twice.

So, today I'll try not to talk too much

(you won't hear my hubby and kids complaining about that). 

I'm hoping that if I'm quiet,

I'll save my voice.

We'll see…

On my thankfulness list today?

Keys.

Keys to the house that, Lord willing, we'll be renting for a while.

And tomorrow?

The magic crate that holds our stuff 

is scheduled to make its way to our new house. 

What about you?

What adventures are ahead of you today?

Tomorrow?

Whatever they are, savor them.

And quiet down and save your voice

and whisper a beautiful

"thank You".

Pray diligently. 

Stay alert, 

with your eyes wide open in gratitude.

~Colossians 4:2

Many blessings,

Deni

{do something} scary.

Do something scary today.

PIck up the phone

and make the call you've been putting off.

Pick up your favorite pen

and write that note you've avoided writing.

Because today would be a good day for that,

don't you think? 

That task you've been dreading?

Why not get it done today?

Wouldn't it feel good to scratch it off your list?

That conversation that you need to have?

Those words that need to be said?

Say them today.

Today is a good day 

to get something done

that might be scary.

If God leads you to,

say the words. 

Write the note.

Pick up the phone.

Get it done.

Stop avoiding the 

looming

and the large. 

Because, 

in the end,

maybe the 

looming

and the large 

aren't really so scary 

after all.

For God has not given us the spirit of fear; 

but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. ~2 Timothy 1:7

Many blessings,

Deni

{this is a process.}

Longing for perfection?

To be "done"?

Ready?

(What does ready look like, anyhow?)

Maybe instead of "ready" or "perfect"

we are meant to be transforming.

To be changing.

To be us and then a new us. 

Each day different

and yet

just right.

This life is a process.

It just is. 

We are here for a journey…

for the long haul.

And yet,

we want what we want 

now. 

In fact, if possible,

we want it 

yesterday.

But that's not how life is. 

That's how waffle fries in the drive-thru are.

But you? And me?

We are ever-evolving works of art.

We are being 

painted,

crafted,

changed,

and transformed

by the Artist.

We are being written

by the Author. 

And how could you ever rush art?

Why would you ever want to?

So when, much to your chagrin, you're said that again,

or you've shared your 'tude and all its glory

with everyone in the checkout line,

take a deep breath

and remember that

this is a process.

When you get snippy with your kids

and you're tempted to tell yourself that you're less than,

close your eyes

and remember 

that you are being transformed. 

Each day brings newness. 

Maybe tomorrow, with God's help,

you'll react differently.

Meanwhile,

remember that 

this is a process.

You can't rush art.

Why would you ever want to?

Breathe deeply

and let

the Creator

create.

You.

Let us keep looking to Jesus. 

He is the author of faith. He also makes it perfect.

~Hebrews 12:2a

Many blessings,

Deni

{morning, dear}

Morning, dear.

Stretch and yawn 

and come awake.

It's time for an adventure.

Stop and take a few moments to talk to God

(you wouldn't want to start an adventure 

without first consulting the Adventure Guide, would you?).

Get quiet with Him. 

Tell Him you're in awe and sorry and thankful 

and wanting more.

Ask Him to fill you today.

Ask Him to get you ready for today's adventure.

He longs to show us what He has in mind for us. 

May we have the eyes to see the adventure…

His plan…

in the everyday stuff 

today.

And then open the door

and feel the sunlight hit your face.

And go. 

Have an adventure 

today.

Haven’t I commanded you? 

Strength! Courage! 

Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. 

God, your God, is with you every step you take.

~Joshua 1:9

Many blessings,

Deni

{dance} now.

How long has it been since you've danced?

And why?

Was it yesterday?

Was it at your high school reunion years ago?

Why not dance today?

Okay, you don't have to bust out a breakdance in the middle of the subway

and you certainly don't have to be 

on a glowing dance floor doing the hustle 

a la John Travolta

(although I do love the Bee Gees).

You can dance your dance-

whatever it looks like-

today.

No music at the time?

No worries.

Dance to the tune of God's vision for you.

He can see it all,

and it's something that should make you dance.

For joy.

Seeking comfort right now?

Do you think that dancing is the last thing you could do today?

Take a few minutes to read God's Word.

Find comfort and hope and strength there.

Find God there.

Before you know it, your foot will be tapping.

It's a guarantee.

Whatever you do today,

dance to God's tune for your life.

Wrap up in His Word.

His thoughts toward you are filled with

hope and a future, you know.

And dance.

Just dance.

Blessings for your day,

Deni 

{for when the focus is off} now.

Sometimes

it's all you can do

to keep your head up. 

Sometimes things hurt 

and it's just too hard 

to remember 

who you are.

But in those moments

when the focus is off,

when your head is pounding,

and you just want a dark corner

and a teddy bear,

lift your head.

And squint to see the wonder that floats overhead.

You see, God has big plans for you and for me.

And in the midst of the struggle 

and the 

walking-this-mortal-sod life,

we can rest in the knowledge

that we are 

enveloped,

surrounded,

and hovered over 

by God Himself.

He longs for you and I to listen

to the rhythm of His love for us.

So when the sound of your wounded heart 

threatens to drown out the sound of 

God above,

stop and look up.

And see

and know 

and hear

that He is good.

Let Him bring things into focus for you.

Today.

I lift up my eyes to the hills—

from where will my help come?

 

My help comes from the Lord,

    who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;

 he who keeps you will not slumber.

 

He who keeps Israel

    will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;
 the Lord is your shade at your right hand.

 

The sun shall not strike you by day,

    nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.

 

The Lord will keep

    your going out and your coming in

    from this time on and forevermore.

~Psalm 121

Many blessings,

Deni

{wonderfully made} now.

Good morning.

You're being asked to show up today.

Not just to work or school

or that meeting you're dreading.

To life.

To today.

You're being asked by the Creator of the universe

to bring the pieces of the puzzle

that He gave you

and be present.

In life.

In the game.

Today.

Are you worried that you don't have all the pieces?

That you don't know where you're going?

That you don't have a pie chart 

or a bar graph

that show your life goals for the next five years?

Concerned that you'd be happy if you had 

the next five minutes 

figured out?

Scoop up all of that and bring it with you. 

Today.

Show up and carry all that 

worry

and concern

and that feeling that you'll never quite 

get there

and bring it to Jesus.

Drop the heavy load that your arms

can no longer carry.

Right there.

Show up.

And be yourself today.

The person He made you in this moment 

is beautiful and enough.

You are enough.

Because you were wonderfully made.

Period.

For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.

~Psalm 138:13-14

Many blessings,

Deni

{today.}

Thankful.

What does thankful do?

How does it move?

Breathe?

Act and react?

How do we-

how do I-

show that I am thankful?

For my dad who has passed on his love for history to me.

And for my father-in-law who served in the Navy.

For my grandfather who helped keep 

the lines of communication open during the war.

And for my other grandfather-

you know, the one who laughed so much-

who was held in Stalag IXB.

How do I live today for them?

Perhaps I take deeper breaths. 

And listen harder

to loved ones. 

And strangers.

Maybe I shut my mouth

because what others have to say

is far more important and infinitely more profound 

and perhaps I just need to 

be quiet

now.

For much has been given to me.

Far more than I will ever deserve.

So much freedom.

And 

so

today-

and always-

I

am

thankful.

I thank my God every time I remember you.

~Philippians 1:3

Many blessings,

Deni

hello, friday.

Hello, Friday.

We're glad to see you.
We've loved you ever since elementary school 
when we learned that you were
the key to freedom.
Two whole days filled with adventure (and no school) were waiting.
You, dear Friday, were the gatekeeper.
The same goes for now. For today.
We can smell the adventure. 

And yet you hold adventures of your own, don't you?
Not a day should be wasted, right?
We don't have to wait for the weekend to journey,
it can happen-
it should happen-
today.

So God, what do you have for us today?
We want to be open to Your adventure. 
We want to anticipate the turning of the page.
That next chapter that you have for us?
Yes, please. 

More.
We want more
 You
and adventure
and freedom
and hope.
More of You and all that You are.
Today.

Hello, Friday.
Good morning, God.

We're so glad to see You.

Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!  ~Hebrews 12:1-3

Many blessings for your Friday,
Deni