Thankful Tidbits - November 5

Tonight I am especially thankful for Rocky Road ice cream. Oberweis to be exact.

Thankful Tidbits: Moms - November 4th

I often wonder if God did the right thing by blessing me with three little girls. Not that He should have given me something else; just that I may not be the best for them. I’m fairly critical of myself in my job of motherhood. Life easily overwhelms me and I am not great at being intentional with my children. Oh, sure, I have good moments. I am by no means disqualified to be a mom. I just get caught up in the comparison game too often.

That is why I am thankful for my mom and mother-in-law. My mom regularly comes out once a week to give me a day to spend time doing whatever it is I want to do. My mother-in-law is pretty good about taking the girls overnight or babysitting when we need her to. These breaks from the mundane allow me to be a better wife and mother. There are many reasons I am grateful for our moms. This week, I am thankful for how very much they help me.

So moms, as Ande would say, “Thank you much!”

Thankful Tidbits: Seasons - November 3rd

I think I am one of the rare few who actually enjoy living in the Chicago area. The weather this past October was just about perfect! At the same time, I welcome the way November is boldly warning us that winter is quickly approaching. I love the way the chilly breeze fills my lungs. The fragrance of burning wood floating from the chimneys and permeating the outside air brings back fond memories that pull at my heartstrings. And my children are certain to help me anticipate the holidays and the first snowfall of winter.

Although fall is my favorite and I love the white covering in the winter, I am usually very much ready to welcome spring when it arrives. The heat of summer is also a nice break from the rain. I welcome the dry weather so I don’t have to wonder if the dog will get muddy when I put her outside. I enjoy each of the seasons and welcome the change that they bring.

I am thankful for the changing seasons. It is only when the freeze of winter is keeping me couped up inside that I look forward to the summer. In the heat of summer I remember the relief of the other seasons and remember to enjoy the opportunities to swim outside and bask in the sun with my girls.

It’s the same with life. The changing seasons allow us to say goodbye to the past and look forward to what is to come. There is time for reminiscing and a time for hope. Each season has a purpose and I am grateful for the seasons. Sometimes I wish one could last a little longer or that one would be cut a little short but it is in the one season that I learn to appreciate the others.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 - "For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven."

Thankful Tidbits: Founding Fathers - November 2nd

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

I am grateful to our Founding Fathers. I am grateful that not only did they believe all men are created equal and declare our rights of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness, but that they understood where all of these “rights” came from. “They are endowed by their Creator.” I am grateful that even though our country screams for separation of church and state in a way that was never intended by our forefathers, that our country was founded on Godly principles. It comes down to the core. We have a Creator. Life starts with Him and therefore, He knows the best for my life.

Psalm 19:1-4 - “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth and their words to all the world.”

Romans 1:19-20 – “They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”

Thankful Tidbits: Freedom of Choice - November 1st

Election Day is tomorrow. Quite a few years ago, a friend of mine ran for an elected position. I learned a few things during that campaign. The mudslinging that goes on often comes from some slight shred of truth that is at times twisted beyond recognition. Although I know this, I’ve found myself confused with many of the political ads I find in my mailbox. One in particular is when it comes to Justice Tom Kilbride. One day, I’m certain I will not vote to retain him where the next I think I should. I realized that rather than just be frustrated with the confusion from all the information out there, I needed to do the research for myself. Here is one site from The Illinois Federation for Right to Life. I was very grateful for the information I look for on the priority issues I start with when determining who to vote for.

Another tidbit of information I got from that race was that party affiliation (although revealing a small bit about the candidate) really is not much more than a way to get financing for the campaign. If a candidate does not associate with one of the political parties out there, loss is almost inevitable. When it comes to the race for U.S. Senator, I find myself disgusted with both the Democratic and Republican candidates. How does one even choose? There are actually candidates from other parties out there. Check out this site from the Illinois Citizens for Life.

I want to be educated on the candidates and the issues. Culture Campaign has information for you about the candidates as well. You can go directly to a candidate’s website for information and you can go to your County Clerk’s website to find an example ballot if you are uncertain as to who your candidates even are.

Politics disgust most of us but tomorrow is more than a day for politics. It is a day to display our gratitude for our freedom in this country. Today is November 1st and I use my blog for a time of grateful reflection this month. I am thankful for free will. I am thankful that I have the opportunity to make my own choices. Election Day is a good reminder of this. I have the opportunity to express my opinion through voting. I for one, am going to have my say!