When I was asked to join a series this Thanksgiving season on being thankful at home, I knew this was something I wanted to be a part of. Because, oh boy, am I thankful at home! Since moving into my new house a year ago, it’s been a whirlwind year of completing more projects and getting things finished around here. And it’s been one BIG thankful year for me. A year behind me of being in my new house, a house that I wasn’t sure I’d have again. So, let me tell you, this girl is thankful in so many ways this year! God has abundantly blessed me and I am so grateful for it.
I’m doing a Bible study right now with a group of other ladies and it’s James McDonald’s, Lord, Change my Attitude and I can tell you that being thankful is so important to all of us. If you get a chance to do this study, I’d highly recommend it. What I’ve gotten from this study is that God wants us to be grateful to Him for all we have, big and small. Everything that we have comes from Him and He wants us to remember that every single day and to trust Him in that, because he ultimately allows trials into our life to mold us into the people he wants us to be. It’s how we react to those trials that will make or break us. One of my favorite take-aways from this study is this: Faith is believing the Word of God and acting upon it, no matter how I feel, because God promises a good result. Thank you, James McDonald!
So, that’s what I try to do. Wake up every day with a grateful heart for all the blessings He has given me and for who He is, the one who has it all under control. I don’t want to be a whiner or complainer. I want to be joyful and grateful for all that He’s done for me and to live in contentment. I’m learning that lesson more and more every year too. A state of contentment is a good place to be.
Things can all be taken away from any of us at the snap of a finger, but it’s truly the people in our lives that matter the most and as I get older and my parents get older, I’m so much more aware of that fact.
I’m so grateful for my family, especially my mom and dad, who have been there for me through thick and thin. They are amazing parents and I wouldn’t trade them for anyone else! I was raised by the most Godly example of parents that you can imagine. Truly, they live it every day.
I’m also grateful that I’m able to work at home and not have to fight the traffic in this town. Working at home is such a gift and a huge blessing as well and I love being at home and doing my blogging thing.
So, today I’m sharing a few things at my house that I’m thankful for, like the trees in my neighborhood that are turning fiery colors right now, against a blue sky that reminds me of how big and majestic God is.
My humble house that I’m so grateful to have. It’s not that beautiful on the outside (yet!), but I’ll be working on that this next year too. I’ve got lots of landscaping to do and can’t wait to see my front yard come alive with plants, hardscaping and more. In fact, I just had a Southern Living lifestyle and garden expert at my house yesterday. We planted some pretty containers for winter and she is going to come up with a whole landscape plan for my house using Southern Living plant collections and we will start planting in the Spring. Can you believe that? I had no idea Southern Living even has plant collections until this summer when I visited the Southern Living Idea house. God is so good to me!
See that little front porch that looks a little tumble-down?
I’m grateful that I can afford to hire someone to come and build me a cute peaked roof front porch with columns and new steps and that’s going to happen Thanksgiving week. I can’t wait!
I’m thankful for a large backyard with a few trees and seeing them turn colors too this time of year. I’m very thankful for a finished screened porch this time of year. My dad just finished trimming out this end of the porch last week and added that gate to it, which I’ll share with you later. We are going to be painting this lattice and the new stairs soon too and hopefully next spring, I’ll be getting the whole house repainted, since it could definitely use it.
So yes, I’m thankful for the inside of my home that I just adore! I still have to pinch myself sometimes that I’m living in this house and loving it so much. It truly is my home, sweet, home, the place I can just be and live day to day.
I didn’t set any new tables this year. My family spends Thanksgiving at my cousin’s house and her parents, my parents, and all of us children and grandchildren gather together to celebrate a special time of the year. Being with family makes it even more precious to all of us, because we know that we will not always have our parents around to enjoy these special holidays. So we savor them even more.
I set this table last year and love the beauty that is there. But, Thanksgiving certainly isn’t all about the table, although it is nice to enjoy a beautifully set table. It’s about who we celebrate with, family and friends. This year, I hope you’ll take the time to really savor the moments with your families too. We all get caught up so much in the fast-paced lives we lead and I don’t ever want to get too busy to just enjoy the days with loved ones. Each and every one is a gift to remember, so take the time to stop, reflect and hold onto every day with loved ones.
You can see all the participating bloggers in this series and I hope you’ll take the time to stop by everyday and go back to the ones from Monday and Tuesday and catch them all. We are all sharing thoughts, recipes, projects, and family traditions about Thanksgiving and it’s a great time to stop and reflect on all we have to be thankful for!
Here’s a little bonus and sidenote for you! I love choir music, really good choir music. Contemporary church music is fine and dandy and some of it I like, but really truly I adore really good choir music. In my opinion, contemporary praise and worship music can’t hold a candle to some of these songs. I sing in the choir at my church and am so blessed when I am up there singing to the Lord. We just sang this song last Sunday and it always blesses my socks off, so I hope it will for you as well. I couldn’t embed the video, so you’ll have to click over to listen to it. This is the Prestonwood choir, not my church, but they always do a great job with their music.
Enjoy! The song is I Choose to Worship! It reminds us to worship even when we have trials and hardships….especially when we have trials and hardships.
If you’re stopping by from Cedar Hill Farmhouse, a big welcome to you. I hope you’ll continue on with the tour tomorrow and stop by The Lilypad Cottage, where Kelly is sure to wow you!
Monday:
Savvy Southern Style
Finding Home
Lilacs & Longhorns
The Inspired Room
The Crafty Woman
Tuesday:
Stone Gable
Debbiedoos
What Meegan Makes
Maison de Pax
Confessions of a Plate Addict
Wednesday:
Thistlewood Farm
Eclectically Vintage
My Soulful Home
Cedar Hill Farmhouse
Southern Hospitality
Thursday:
The Lilypad Cottage
A Little Claireification
Fresh Idea Studio
Pennywise
The Rustic Pig
Friday:
Housepitality Designs
Mom4Real
Country Design Style
The Everyday Home
Unskinny Boppy
Stacey says
Wonderful post. 🙂
Tina says
Can’t wait to see your outside transformation ! Enjoyed the journey on the inside, God truly turned your tears into joy! What a surprise that you had my church on singing “I choose to worship!”
Tina
Rhoda says
Tina, you are so fortunate to get to go to a church like Prestonwood. I love their choir!!
Dorinda says
So well said, Rhoda! Your love and gratefulness shine through! My Bible study class did Lord, Change My Attitude also, and it was so powerful that we did it again the next year! In fact, it may be about time to do it again.
Kris Woelke says
Rhoda,
My Bible study group is going the same study! Love my time with The Lord and my girl friends! I enjoy your blog and love the pictures of your mom and dad! They remind me so of my grandparents! Keep up the great work!
Thistle says
What a wonderful post and reminder of what we all have to be thankful for! Love your porch and I can’t wait to see the new roof. 🙂
Thank you for sharing your heart today….and so blessed to call you friend!
Have a wonderful day rock star!
karianne
Eva @ Rivercliff Cottage says
You are right on Rhoda. We are abundantly blessed. I was thinking about His presence this week. Like the wind….I can’t see it but I can sure feel it. Will check out the Bible study.
Mary says
Rhoda,
Great post. Thanks for sharing the video from the Prestonwood Choir. Prestonwood’s pastor, Jack Graham, is my favorite preacher in the world!
I’m going to get the James McDonald book on changing my attitude; this has been my prayer every single day this year, “Lord, change my attitude” and I can definitely see that happening; Praise the Lord!
Thank you for sharing! Love your post!
Emily says
Rhoda, God brings us through the storm and refines us like silver. Psalms 66:10.
Blessings to you and your family.
Take care.
Emily
KATHYSUE says
Rhoda,
What a beautifully written post. I know you spoke from you heart and you DO TRULY have a grateful heart. It has been a privilege to see you grow and blossom in your life.
xo Kathysue
Rita C says
Beautiful, Rhoda, thank you so much, especially for the bonus. It gives me chills. I love how grounded you are and your place in the blog world. I’m thankful.
Carol D. says
What a blessing you are to everyone who reads your blog! Just a wonderful reminder to be thankful for all that we do have in our life….I love seeing the pictures of your mom and dad…thank you for sharing your blessings and reminding us to be aware of all things great and small that matter.
Marlene says
Rhoda,
What a beautiful post. Thank you. I too feel so blessed and so thankful for all of God’s blessing.
How many people you have touched today with your message. Blessings…
Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage says
And thankful you should be because you are blessed with your amazing parents and home. I can’t wait to see your new porch!!!
Kelly
Sheila says
Thank you for reminding me about what is truly important at Thanksgiving and every other day, too.
Blessings to you and your sweet, hardworking folks!
Doris Self says
I loved your blog today. So very special!! You know you are a very good writer as well as a good blogger.
Peggy Born says
Wow! Love that awesome praise music – and your post was a post of praise. 11 years ago, my circumstances were very similar to yours – I lost everything; started all over at 51 years old. God has blessed me abundantly. I love how you have shared your story – and His! May God continue to bless you.
Becky in 'Bama says
Rhoda: you have been ever faithful to our Lord even in the darkest of times in your past. HE has granted you mercy and lots of GRACE. Blessings on you in all your endeavors! Thanks for a blog that is up-lifting and fun.
Velia says
What a heartfelt message you have given us to read. Your love of the Lord and your grace come through so lovingly in your writings. Thank you for the web link to such a wonderful song; my day has been uplifted by you and the music. Continued blessings to you and yours…
Theresa Kane says
We are thankful for you and for sharing your family, home and life with all of us! I love the song… and your blog verse is my life verse!! Blessings to you and your family.Can’t wait to check out the other blogs… ya’ll inspire me to be more creative in my own home.
Hugs
debbiedoos says
Oh how very beautiful Rhoda! Many blessings more to come your way. I just love how your Parents were able to be there for your and your new home is just beautiful. Can’t wait to see the porch. Glad to be a part of this series with you.