"Give Thanks to the Lord, For HE is Good"
(Psalm 107:1)
(Katie) Yesterday, Dan and I planned the Fischer staff Thanksgiving celebration for the Resident Assistants (RA's). While we played some really fun games and took advantage of the empty residence hall, we also ended on a more thoughtful note. We put pieces of paper on each person's back and then proceeded to write about how we most saw God manifested through each person on staff. It was powerful to pause and to really think about why I appreciate each person's presence on our staff and how I've seen God at work in their life. It was also powerful to pause and receive such life-giving words from members of my Fischer family. In the midst of a crazy past couple weeks (graduate school papers, RA selection for next year, student care meetings, and daily life), I struggle to slow down and take time to pause and notice how God is at work in my life. I am blessed to be surrounded by an amazing community of people that graciously held up a mirror for me of how they see God in my life. The second activity that we did was called "Gratitude Confetti." Each person answered reflective questions about A-quad and B-quad through the lens of gratitude (Ex: Who are 5 students you are grateful? What are two conversations that have been life-giving?) We wrote all of our answers on color paper and then as an entire staff, threw our confetti and "frolicked!" Again, I appreciated the opportunity to pause and reflect on the school year through the lens of gratitude.
I am convinced that gratitude is how we breakthrough envy and being discontent. When we slow down and look at our day through the lens of gratitude, I think its impossible to not see the goodness of God all around us.
My favorite wedding gift was a pile of rocks from my parents. The rocks were to be symbolic of an Ebenezer, which means "Stone of Help." My parents listed all the ways that they saw God's presence and help throughout our wedding. But, they wanted to encourage James and I to be a couple who focus on seeing God's presence in our lives. The Ebenezer was a stone memorial stone created by Samuel to commemorate God's assistance to Israel in their great battle against the Philistines (1 Samuel 7:7-12). James and I keep these stones in our family room and they are visual reminder to me of all the ways that I see God's presence in my life.
We are driving back to Minnesota this afternoon to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family. I can't wait. I hope in the midst of the busyness of this Turkey Day that you can intentionally take time to pause and notice God's goodness in you and around you. Take advantage of the quality time with you family. Hold up a mirror to your family members. Let them know why you are grateful for them!
Happy Thanksgiving!!
I am convinced that gratitude is how we breakthrough envy and being discontent. When we slow down and look at our day through the lens of gratitude, I think its impossible to not see the goodness of God all around us.
My favorite wedding gift was a pile of rocks from my parents. The rocks were to be symbolic of an Ebenezer, which means "Stone of Help." My parents listed all the ways that they saw God's presence and help throughout our wedding. But, they wanted to encourage James and I to be a couple who focus on seeing God's presence in our lives. The Ebenezer was a stone memorial stone created by Samuel to commemorate God's assistance to Israel in their great battle against the Philistines (1 Samuel 7:7-12). James and I keep these stones in our family room and they are visual reminder to me of all the ways that I see God's presence in my life.
We are driving back to Minnesota this afternoon to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family. I can't wait. I hope in the midst of the busyness of this Turkey Day that you can intentionally take time to pause and notice God's goodness in you and around you. Take advantage of the quality time with you family. Hold up a mirror to your family members. Let them know why you are grateful for them!
Happy Thanksgiving!!
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