THANKFUL HEARTS | EXPRESSING OUR GRATITUDE

"I will praise God’s

name in song and glorify him

with thanksgiving."

(Psalm 69:30)

Each Thanksgiving my family has the tradition of sharing thoughts on what we're thankful for. Yet I have to wonder, are there more practical/beneficial ways to express our gratitude to God?

Matthew 25:40 says, "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

So then, when we bless others, we bless God.

I started brainstorming ideas of how we can show God our gratitude instead of just telling Him. {Show verses tell. Sounds like something a good writer is trained to do.}  =)

Soon I'd compiled a list of ways we can express our gratitude to God by touching the lives of others. Here's my top 20 picks!

 1) Spend some quality one-on-one time with your spouse.
 2) Hug your children.
 3) Send a Thinking of You card to someone on your heart.
 4) Share a meal with someone who can't or isn't able to return the favor.
 5) Pray with someone who's hurting.
 6) Offer to take a shut-in on an outing.
 7) Give to a worthy charity.
 8) Be someone's hands or feet.
 9) Send a care package to a missionary or military person.
10) Invite someone who has no place to go to your Thanksgiving gathering.
11) Volunteer.
12) Smile at a stranger.
13) Lend a helping hand to someone who's struggling.
14) Visit someone in a nursing home or assisted living.
15) Be a listening ear to someone.
16) Reach out to someone who's lost a loved one.
17) Share the gift of laughter.
18) Help someone in need.
19) Show forgiveness toward someone who has hurt you.
20) Tell someone thank you!

Do you have an idea to add to my list? I'd love to hear it!

Read more of Cynthia’s writing at:

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HAVE YOU FOUND YOUR WRITING IDENTITY? by Guest Blogger Jan Cline

Today Jan Cline shares insights from her writing journey. I hope you are as blessed.

Like many writers, I struggle to find my place in this crazy writing and publishing world. Starting out, I had no idea how big a world it was, or that I had jumped into a vast sea of aspiring writers just like me.

Then I caught sight of the big fish – the multi-published, best-selling, popular published authors. I even got to know many of them when I founded and directed a writer’s conference for several years - some of the most talented, enjoyable people I’ve ever met. I found myself on the edge of their circle and thought I was where I belonged. I knew it would only be a matter of time before I could really be a part of that identity as a traditionally published author.

Didn’t happen.

My heart’s desire is to be a novelist. I started late in life, so I worked hard, studied the craft, networked, did social media, and attended conferences. I did everything I knew to do, everything I was advised to do.

But I lost my writing identity. I lost touch with most of the inner circle I hoped to join. So I decided to self-publish. It was a long difficult process and did not produce the Indie-published author identity I thought it might.

I was back to square one. Where is my writing identity?

Ted Dekker in his book The Forgotten Way explains that we will never find our true peace and happiness until we know who we are and who our Father is. When we know all of that with our whole heart and mind, we will be secure in an identity that no one can take away, not even our self.

I must write in the light of my true identity, not for any other reason but to please the One who placed in me the desire to write. He has already decided if I will ever be traditionally published, or who my friends in the business will be or not be. I just need to do what is before me by His design, leaving the rest to Him. I have to align myself with His agenda.

Have you forgotten your writing identity? Your true identity? What has been the one thing that you strive to accomplish in your self-made identity?

May you find the forgotten way.

Blessings, Jan

Jan Cline is an author and speaker from the Pacific Northwest. She also teaches at writers groups and conferences. She is the mother of 3 and the grandmother of 7. Her debut historical novel released in March 2016, Emancipated Heart.

www.jancline.net

janclineauthor@gmail.com