A Thanksgiving Exercise
No, I am not referring to that possible jog or brisk walk in the early evening after eating a feast on Thanksgiving day. We could all do that too.
This morning I happened to stop by a blog I read most of the time called “True Woman.” The title of the blog today intrigued me because I thought the writer was going to challenge readers to start a blessing jar as described by Jason Wright in a book by the same title. Well, I was guessing wrong.
Nancy Leigh DeMoss, the writer of this day’s blog instead tells of a jar filled with questions. She passed it around her family after the dinner. Each person, including children, took one question from the jar and then they spontaneously answered the question they had drawn. Here is her list of questions:
Here are the questions I included in the Blessing Jar:
- Name a song that has been a blessing to you this year.
- Name one friend who has been a blessing to you this year.
- What is one book that has been a blessing to you this year?
- Share a Bible verse that has been a blessing to you this year.
- Share one special memory from the past year for which you are grateful.
- What is something about your church that has been a blessing to you this year?
- How have you seen the heart of Jesus in a member of your family?
- What is one financial or material blessing from the past year for which you are grateful?
- How have you seen God at work in the life of an unbeliever this year?
- What is one area of your life where you have seen God at work this year?
- What is one answer to prayer you have experienced this year?
- Share something from the past year that has been “hard,” for which you are grateful.
You might want to borrow from her list, or add some of your own. Of course, if it is a big gathering, some of the questions could be put in the jar or continer twice. (I would use a basket I think) . Even if you live alone, or there are just two of you, this list carries some things that will make you think. I would love it if some of you would pick just one question and answer it here on the blog, or on the facebook posting. Registering is not difficult. I also encourage you to simply follow the blog by e mail. The whole blog drops into your e mail and you can read it there. I don’t set my blog to just a few words and force people to link to the website. To get this via e mail, just go to FOLLOW and type in your email address. You won’t get any junk mail as a result–just me. And I am not junk! God doesn’t make junk.
- Posted in: Everyday Thinking
- Tagged: blessing jar, Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Revive Our Hearts, thanksgiving, True Woman
The Shepherd's Presence 
Oh, my! This is a wonderful idea to make us stop and think about our blessings! I’ll choose the last one—something that has been hard. Last spring, my husband was diagnosed with diabetes, which I have had for many years. It started with a few episodes of high blood pressure, which forced him to see a doctor. This diagnosis has been a blessing because it has forced both of us to be more careful about our eating habits, and that is always a good thing! We have also learned together that we can have some of the good things that we have always enjoyed, but we just have to be more careful about serving sizes. It seems strange to thank God for a disease, but in this case, we’re thankful for the opportunity to learn something new at our ages!
Love this. Think I’ll reblog it.
Linda, you are most welcome to reblog. That’s why I was careful to give DeMoss credit too.
Reblogged this on Study God's Word and commented:
Reblogging something a friend posted this morning. Nancy Leigh DeMoss (she’s not the friend :)) is a favorite of mine.
“What is one answer to prayer you have experienced this year?” With tears of gratitude I will say the biggest answer to prayer this year was Stephanie receiving her organs and now she is spending Thanksgiving at home with her family. Earlier this summer it looked like God was going to give her perfect healing and take her home, but He heard the fervent prayers of his people and He gave her earthly healing.
“What is something about your church that has been a blessing to you this year?” I have seen a church of mostly young couples come together to offer support, help, encouragement and love to those who struggle. While we experienced the mountain top of joy with Stephanie, we have also been in the depths of the valley. Three couples experienced the loss of unborn babies late in their pregnancies (20 weeks and more) and at least 3 others experienced early miscarriages. In all of these situations I saw an outpouring of love and encouragement that truly showed the heart of Christ. I am blessed beyond measure to be a part of a local body that is striving every day to be more Christ like and to follow His word. We have struggled this summer, but we grieve with hope and the knowledge that ALL things are for our good.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Thank you, Mandy, for the heartfelt participation. Following the story of Stephanie has been a blessing and a prayer challenge for me. I’ll keep her on my active prayer card pile for a long time. I know Joel’s family from when we lived in Minnesota so I had a distant kind of kinship know several of the Lindstrom family.
I LOVE your blog!! So glad I found you!! Blessings in abundance! Juliana
I have found this blog late but I wanted to share a few things. The last Six months have been very difficult for my family. I am thankful for my friend Bessie Stark. I am so thankful to have her here to help me along life’s path. I am thankful for the song. “I know He Cares.” I am also thankful to say that we have seen the lost under conviction in our ESL classes. I only pray that they will humble themselves to admit their sin and except the wonderful salvation of our Lord. We have come to really care for those guys who come faithfully. Thank you Lord for leading us to that ministry.