Donning a Coat of Thankfulness

By:  Riley Erickson

"Thank you" is a phrase most of us use frequently, yet probably not nearly enough. For all the power that words possess, we have all been guilty of underestimating what they can do or believing that what was said or even unspoken was somehow implied.

However, saying "thanks" and giving thanks are, at times, two completely different things. Before you wave this off as another study into minute degrees of separation, hear me out.

While both are reactionary outpourings of character, the former is an expectant result of nearly any action of goodwill toward another, whether individual, group, organization or business.

The latter, though, is the choice of an individual to adopt an attitude of thankfulness regardless of present circumstance. Being thankful isn't something that is attached to us at any given time, such as an arm or a leg or another appendage. Rather, like a piece of clothing, we must choose to put it on daily if we are to experience it.

It was during this time last year that I had the opportunity to write about being thankful for God's control in our lives. It culminated in the realization that even though we are small pieces in an elaborately complex puzzle, God cares and attends each of our needs on an individual basis.

Fast forward twelve months and I am once again in a position where growth is necessary as the past few weeks have been trying on my perseverance and resiliency.

I made the move from my hometown to a suburb of the Twin Cities early in the summer of this year hoping to be closer to a job market related to my degree. After a few months with no solid leads, I took a position as a salesperson in a furniture store. For someone who is outgoing, socially active and gets energy from interacting with people on a near-constant basis, this is an ideal position. The problem stems from my personality being nearly the opposite of that. I'm giving it my best and doing what I can to stay positive, but some days just feel like an exercise in futility. It becomes easy to be discouraged, to lose hope, and to assume that the better days have perhaps already been played out. On those difficult days when I'm wearily walking across the parking lot after a long shift, being thankful is admittedly distant in my mind.

A few years back, while I was still taking college classes in Milwaukee, the church I attended in one of the western suburbs set aside a Sunday service for a special guest. The husband and wife, Matt and Ginny Mooney, spent the morning talking about their son Eliot, and showed a short, but incredibly powerful video entitled 99 Balloons. The video, which can be found online, is a little over six minutes in length and narrated by Matt. It documents the short life of their son, Eliot, who was born with a genetic disease called Trisomy 18. It derives its name from the extra copy of genetic material that is coded into the eighteenth chromosome during pregnancy. Usually more common in girls, it can be responsible for complications in the hands and feet while bringing about a host of other physical challenges.

Eliot was given slim chances by the doctors that he would even make it much past birth, but Matt and Ginny were undeterred by the odds. In an emotional moment after Eliot had made progress, Matt said the bittersweet words, "... today you went to be with Jesus."

The Mooney family may not realize the reason for Eliot's death until they are with Jesus in heaven, but they chose to be thankful for the short while they spent with their son even if the decision to adopt that attitude was difficult.

As we approach the holiday seasons, with Thanksgiving and Christmas inching ever closer, we realize that many of you may not have fond memories of those particular events. Perhaps you, like the Mooney's, have lost a loved one when you felt it wasn't their time to go yet. Maybe you have a son or daughter that was formerly walking with the Lord, but has turned down a path that seems to be leading them right into the arms of destruction. You could be in the midst of a difficult marriage, where you're doing all you can to make things work but your spouse just doesn't seem to come around to your efforts. Maybe you have a tough decision to make in the coming weeks that will require some sacrifice with either option and you're just not sure which way to turn. Or, just maybe, you've made it through a tough season in your life and you're praising God for His amazing work and direction in your life or the lives of those around you.

While each circumstance is different, we still retain the ability to wear a thankful attitude each and every day through any trial we may face.

With that in mind, I found great comfort in the words from Isaiah, which states "let every valley be lifted up, and every mountain and hill made low; and let the rough ground become a plain, and the rugged terrain a broad valley." (Isaiah 40:4)

And again we are reminded of God's love for us when He tells us that " '... the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but my lovingkindness will not be removed from you, and my covenant of peace will not be shaken, '" says the LORD who has compassion on you." (Isaiah 54:10) What a comfort it is to know that whatever we go through, our God is with us!

As we work towards becoming more thankful in our attitudes, I want you to consider these words from Matt Mooney in a blog he posted after Eliot had passed. While acknowledging the tremendous difficulty of loss, he states the following.  "When accurately remembered, there is so much to be thankful for. But heartache often manages to eclipse the whole. Therein lies the battle; Attempting to push aside the pain (and) to relish the joy. That battle continues."

Whether we are currently in one of life's difficult moments, or have made it to a point where we can give praise, we should always strive for thankfulness. As we dig into our closets for warmer coats and start donning gloves and caps, let's not forget to wear a thankful attitude. It can make a difference in your life, and that will impact the people that surround you.

 

Building Financial Foundations

(An excerpt taken from our recent YOUR BEST issue!)        

The bottom line with personal financials, as with business financials, is simply this: you must make more money than you spend to be successful. As the economy picks up and you find yourself in a more comfortable financial state, remember the key elements to financial success:

1. Budget - Plan where you will spend your money and know your numbers. Remember the old saying, "Failing to Plan, is Planning to Fail."
2. Create an emergency account - Life is full of unplanned instances. Plan for the unplanned. Have three to six months (preferably six months) of expenses put aside in a savings account. If a tragedy, loss of job, or medical emergency happens, you will be able to pay bills without using a credit card or loan.
3. Pay off debt - Aggressively pay off credit cards and loans. Do not continue to use credit cards.
4. Pay cash - Do not use credit cards or loans to pay for regular expenses. Avoid accumulating debt. Buy used cars instead of new cars and pay cash if possible.
5. Save for retirement - If your work offers a 401K, utilize the plan managers to help you make wise investments or use a reputable financial planner if you don't have a work retirement plan.

Getting Ready for Thanksgiving Dinner? 

For a change ... here's a twist on traditional pumpkin pie !

   

Ready for a change of pace this year at the Thanksgiving table?  Time to switch things up by adding this yummy crumble cake dessert to the dinner menu.  This whips up in no time flat, and fulfills the hungering for pumpkin, but with a slightly different twist. 

 Ingredients:

• 1 boxed yellow cake mix (Betty Crocker)
• 1 stick butter, softened
• 4 large eggs
• 2- 15 oz. cans pumpkin
• ½ cup half & half
• 1 1/4 cups sugar, divided
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 4 tablespoons butter, chilled
• 1 cup chopped toasted pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and flour a 13x9 baking dish

Crust:

Empty cake mix into a large mixing bowl and remove 1 cup of the cake mix and place in a medium-sized bowl; set aside (you will use this for the topping).

To the remaining cake mix, add 1 stick of butter and 1 egg. Blend with an electric mixer until well-mixed.

Press mixture into prepared baking dish and set aside.

Filling:

Combine the 2 cans of pumpkin, half & half, 1 cup sugar, 3 eggs, and cinnamon in a large bowl.

Beat together for 3 minutes.  Pour filling onto prepared crust.

Topping:

Add the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar to the reserved 1 cup cake mix and stir.

Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, knead in the butter and pecans to create the topping.

Evenly distribute the topping for the filling. Bake for 70-75 minutes at 350 degrees until the center no longer jiggle.  Allow to cool for 20 minutes. Slice into squares and top with whipped cream and sprinkle with toasted pecans. Serve.  Store leftovers in refrigerator.

             

       Two out of 5 stars 

Three Words best describe this movie:  Spacey, Stressful, and Spinning

Did I mention lots of spinning!

My sister and I arrived at the theater looking for a good chick flik and there were none showing.  Ugh! Perhaps that's why this movie was such a great disappointment!  Although  doing really well at the box office, they didn't ask ME for my humble opinion! 

The movie is starring big name, Sandra Bullock as Dr. Ryan Stone,a medical engineer, and George Clooney as veteran astronaut Matt Kowalski, who is in space on his last trip before retirement.

Stone and Kowalski are affected by the mid-orbit destruction of a space shuttle and attempt to get back to Earth.

The characters never get developed, the stress level is high, the spinning and camera angles make you want to lose your popcorn, and oh, yes, if you're afraid to fly, you'll leave the theater never wanting to look into the sky, let alone travel there!

Although it's a fairly balanced ending, I'd save my money and rent it, if you so feel inclined

to get woozy.                                    

 

What's Happening at the Grove?

Any woman that lives within  close radius of the Middle of Nowhere is so welcome!  Come on over ... we have God's Word, good worship, and a big mug of steaming coffee with some fabulous homemade treat.  

            1025 Hwy 29, Benson, MN SE

The Church in the Grove

(BLM Headquarters)

          For More Information, Log onto http://www.bestlifeministries.com 

Closed Doors, Open Windows! Women's Conference

Saturday, November 16, 2013/9-3:30

Prairie Lutheran Church, Hutchinson, MN $30.00

Online registration for BLM's Conference @ Prairie Lutheran

Best Life Staff after our Clara City Conference