FlowerLady's Musings

Hello Friends ~ Here we are at the start of Thanksgiving week here in the U.S. May we be able to see past the negatives and see all that we have to be thankful for. 

This morning I read a thought-provoking post by Ann of  'Ann's Snap, Edit, Scrap' blog. So many times I have found myself thinking of the negatives instead of counting my blessings, especially this year with the world-wide pandemic situation. We have been wishing from the beginning that it would all be over soon, but here we are 8 months later, still dealing with the pandemic and all of the hurts, anxieties, frustrations, job losses, relationship problems, illnesses and deaths that this has caused. 

I think of my whining, mostly done in my head, my petty complaints, compared to what so many are dealing with and am ashamed. My heart aches from reading about and seeing what others are going through. The only thing I can do at this time is pray for the whole world. For healing, for peace, for restoration, for love, and for forgiveness.

Many of us are seeking ways to find joy once again in our lives. We are finding it in simple things, in the ordinariness of our every day lives. We are alive,  and there are things to be thankful for. There is still beauty in the world to enjoy. God is the giver of all good gifts and it is to him we owe our thanks.

I am re-reading Ann Voskamp's book '1,000 Gifts'. I bought this book the month after my dear husband left this planet to be with God. Right now I'm doing a short Bible study of this with Ann on Faith Gateway online Bible studies. I am being encouraged and blessed to keep growing in my thankfulness to God, in all situations. Ann has a beautiful way with words. I am made to stop and think about life, my life and relationship with God, more deeply. I've started a journal to list my 1,000 gifts and it is making me look around to see just how many gifts I am blessed with. Things I can take for granted.

Right now I want to say thank you to all who have visited here, for comments, gifts, emails, etc. since 2008 when I first started this blog. You have loved, encouraged, inspired and prayed for me. Those are precious gifts that money can't buy. You comforted me after the loss of my husband  and still do that even now.

I am thankful to God for his beautiful creation, for the flowers, etc. that I am able to grow in my tropical, cottage garden spaces. Below are recent photos of some of what is in bloom right now.

Bleeding hearts

 

 

'Carnation' Roses

 

 

Hamelia paten and plumbago

 

 

 Plumbago

 

 

 

 

 

 Thunbergia

 

 

Wild Petunia

 

Yesterday, today and tomorrow

 

 

I will close with another photo of  'Miss Tork'. We have been dealing with 'fleas'. I must have brought one or two in with me from outside, as she is an indoor cat. We are making forward progress and that's a GREAT thing.

 

 

Here in the U.S., I pray that you all will make your Thanksgiving holiday a happy and thankful one, whether you are alone or with others. I bought a small young turkey breast, and have all of the fixings to make my dinner. I am looking forward to it and the left-overs also. (That's my plan).

 

Love, hugs and prayers for all,

FlowerLady