Hey, Sweet Things!
I’m writing this to you the afternoon before Thanksgiving. I will be too covered in family to have much time for written reflections on the actual day. I’m here by myself at my house of so many years. From where I’m sitting at our big round dinner table (my favorite piece of furniture in my house), I can see the top of the stairs. It seems like only yesterday, two little blond girls stood at the top of those stairs with their nightgowns on, their blankets clutched tightly in their arms, and adorable little bedheads, looking down at me in the kitchen, saying, “Is it morning yet, Mommy?”
It usually wasn’t what any decent sleeper could ever call morning but who can resist warm, snuggly preschoolers fresh out from under the covers? Especially if they hadn’t wet the bed? And, thank God, I was spared a pair of bedwetters. It really was yesterday that I saw two other children those same ages apart at the top of those same stairs, both with an uncanny resemblance to the first two. “Bibby, can I have a treat? And milk? Or juice? And can it be chocolate?”
“The juice or the treat, Buddy?”
Thinks for a moment.
“The TREAT!”
Good choice.
Well, that’s what the oldest one said anyway. The younger one just echoed, “Treat, Bibby! Treat!” I was standing within three feet of that one. She only gets to be arm’s distance from Bibby most of the time.Her smile melts my heart. Her little short pony tail slays me. And her miniature track suit is more than I can bear. I can’t stop laughing over the mysterious fact that, when you ask her what her (hard-to-pronounce) name is, she emphatically says, “Paw Paw.” You can imagine that Keith isn’t about to be the voice of reason. He likes things just like they are.
I feel so thankful today. And not because it’s been a sparklingly spotless year for the extended Moore/Jones/Fitzpatrick family because it hasn’t. Is any whole year like that?? Any whole month?? It’s certainly not for this flawed crew. I feel gratitude because God has been gracious to us and right there with us through every up and down. I don’t know about your house but life can be a roller coaster here at this address. He’s kept His word to us even when we didn’t keep ours to Him. He is always better than He has to be.
Sometimes we just need the quiet to reflect on His goodness. I’m getting that today. Keith’s running errands. The dogs are outside. Sweet potatoes are cooling off on the kitchen counter and I just pulled a large iron skillet of cornbread (yes, drenched in bacon grease) out of the oven.
It’s everything I can do not to tear off a piece of that hot cornbread and butter it and shut my eyes and be back for just a moment in my mama’s kitchen with her and my grandmother. They’d crumble theirs up in “sweet milk” and eat it with a spoon but I wouldn’t. I’d just laugh at their wonderful countryside and eat mine like I was mostly city side, except for licking my fingers and maybe my hand. And they’d say in unison, “Well, you’re snubbin’ your betters.” I miss them so much today but I’ll try to do them right with my turkey and dressing. Thoughts like these make me grin really big and feel like I could cry if I’d let myself.
But I won’t. Because I’m too busy.
Georgia Jan (who I became friends with through Siestaville) and I have already compared notes today on our dressing recipes. The holidays make us want to reach out and connect with people who have touched us through the year. Or through a lifetime. Thanksgiving is about so much more than cooking and traveling. We all know that. It’s about being audaciously deliberate in celebrating the goodness of God with at least a few people you really love. Or maybe just really like. Even for one day. People as quirky as you are. And probably because they’re kin to you.
Here are a few things I feel especially thankful for today:
For a belief system where we can have absolute certainty of our salvation.We know this isn’t it. We know where we’re going and it’s good. We know that this turns out very well.
For a belief system where nothing – not even your worst disaster or failure – gets wasted.
For a belief system where every day is a new day and every act of repentance is a brand new beginning.Who has that but us???
For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who is the entirety of my belief system.
For His indwelling Spirit who enables me to be so different than the old me. And different tomorrow from today’s me.
For the sacred holy Scriptures. Oh, thank You, Lord. My food and my drink.
For my man. Every year we defy the odds. He just walked in the door and kissed me on the forehead. I’m thankful we’re at it again.
For the inestimable, ongoing gift of my blood daughters, Amanda Moore Jones and Melissa Moore Fitzpatrick. My best friends. I really don’t know what a soul mate is exactly but, as best I can tell, they’re both mine. I never have a thought they’re not some part of, in this way or that.
For my three beloved sons, each “my true son” in the spirit of the Apostle Paul’s words to Titus: Curtis Jones, Colin Fitzpatrick, and Travis Cottrell. They are that to me. Trav and me on a speed walk in Rapid City, South Dakota, last Friday morning:
Oh, mercy, for my darlings, Jackson and Annabeth. If life is a meal, they are my constant dessert. From the backseat of the car just a few days ago:
(At the age where he makes goofy faces but there still ain’t no denying he’s one handsome boy.)
For my co-laborers in the great Gospel of Jesus Christ at LPM. “The Village.” I love them so much.
For my extended family on both sides. Blood brothers and sisters and the same in-laws for decades. For the inexpressible privilege of having my older sister, Gay, back in my everyday life. Not a day goes by that I take that for granted.
For Keith’s parents and, gracious me, at this point my own: John and Sue Moore. We want them next to us for the rest of their years.
For the unspeakable gift of spiritual daughters. I did not see that one coming. DELIGHT.
For my dear friends. The kind that have had my personal cell number since my first phone. And don’t mind carrying on a whole lot of relationship by text.
For my pastor, Gregg Matte, and his wife, Kelly, and their two children. For the church family they shepherd. I’ve never seen one exactly like it.
For my neighbors who love me even though they think I’m a tad whacked.
For renewed physical strength and health. I was one sick girl this time last year.
For YOU.
Yep, you, Siestaville. I thank God for you. You’ve made my life richer in Jesus. And at the end of the day, that’s what I care most about.
For just this moment, I picture all of you on this list right here at my small table and I smile.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Praise be to the Lord, for He has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. The Lord is the strength of His people, a fortress of salvation for His anointed one. Save Your people and bless Your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever. Psalm 28:6-9
Happy Thanksgiving to the LPM team. I am so thankful for finding this blog site. Thank you Beth, you have inspired many of us to get more into the word. I am thankful for being thirsty for more knowledge.
God’s love is unfailing and He is always faithful. I am so blessed to have a wonderful family and church family.
Blessings to you and your family!
Shannon
A day of thanksgiving and a day that is bittersweet, too. Lost my mom less than a month ago and the missing of her is so intense. I came on to see if you had posted and came away with encouragement. Even as I scanned down the posts I saw sweet siestas grieving their losses and still praising Jesus. I found encouragement in you sweet sisters.
And thank-you Beth…you have poured into this broken vessel so much over the years. Happy Thanksgiving!
So very sorry for your loss, Kat. Praying God continues to give new grace during the weeks ahead.
Oh Beth, wasn’t Thanksgiving Dinner just DIVINE and the desserts!! Hallelujah!!!! I had to lossen my belt buckle!! Hee! Hee!! So worth it though!!!
I’ll be the one power-walking tomorrow!!!!!!! Just wish it was with you!!
Love U and Huggs(((((())))))!!!! Happy Thanksgiving!!
P.S. Love, love, love your table too.
I am going to try this one more time I sent to comments yesterday and they both went poof and they were gone I have no idea where they went they are out in cyber space somewhere. Anyway thank you sweet mama Beth for the blog it is a fresh cup of water to a thirsty soul, thank you for sharing your beautiful family with us and your grandbabies they are both just beautiful. Enjoy your thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving to Amanda , Melissa , The Village
Thanks to all you ladies for loving us seista’s.
DID I READ SOMEWHERE THAT WE ARE HAVING A SSMT CELEBRATION 2 NEXT YR. WHOOO WHOOO YEPPEE YEPPEE
CAN’T WAIT
Love Carol
Great post!!
Could you post your recipe for cornbread? It sounds so yummy!
P.S….We are thankful for you, too!!
dressing, that is! 🙂
Dearest Beth,
I just wanted to say how thankful I am to God for your work and ministry. There are some similarities in our story, and I often look at you and remind myself what God can do. I’ve tried on several occasions to write a letter to you just to let you know what your example means to me, but I always think I sound amazingly cheesy and like some kind of crazy person. I had a tendency in my earlier years to gravitate to people instead of God, but thanks be to Him for slowly showing me that yes, people are an instrument of his and meant to be in my life, but he is the only one who gives life. I really do love how you point us to him.
I love reading your blog, and even though I don’t often comment, I feel like I am one of your “siestas” and that if I met you in real life it’d just be like picking up a conversation we had on the blog. I did actually get a “birthday” hug from you a couple of years ago during the Breaking Free taping. I was there with some friends and one of them so graciously got me a seat on the front right row where you went out and hugged folks on your way after your sessions. She did it because it was my birthday and she is just as sweet as can be. Anyway, thank you for sharing your sweet self and your life and your beautiful family with us. Your love for our Lord is contagious.
Lisa C
Loved this blog! I said at my blog what I am so thankful for, the freedom here and the servicemen/women who serve our country! We had a quiet day here and I truly missed the family gathering that we might have had! Maybe next year! pray for me!
Dear Beth,
Thank You for the new pics of those darling babies! AnnaBeth has grown so much!
This Thanksgiving has been nice and quiet and nice. Yes, did I say nice. I was to go to my sister’s in east Arkansas but deicded at the very last minute I wanted four and half days to just stay home and get some much needed things done before my second shoulder surgery on Wednesday.
I, like you last year have had a rough year health wise, nothing too serious just enough to make me miserable. Looking forward to a new year of feeling good, It’s been a long time!
Had dinner with lifelong friends, some in from your state and I enjoyed that very much. I’m back in my quiet home, just me and enjoying it!
No Black Friday for me, I’m looking forward to just relaxing and working in the house and if I go out tomorrow it will be to just watch the crwods, so fun!
Enjoy all those leftovers!
beth, you are so funny! i love the comment about your neighbors loving you even though they think you are a little whacked! hysterical! i know people think that about me, probably even talk about me behind my back, but i am way past the point of caring and really thankful to be there. i just love Jesus too much to care what other people think or say, and i know you are the same way! sweet neighbors! but really, who could help but love you, beth, even if you are way out wacky for Jesus! Blessings and Happy Thanksgiving!!! 🙂 see you in birmingham!!!!! 🙂
Long time reader, first time commenter! haha! Just HAD to comment about the cornbread and milk. My family does that! Soooo good! (We’re from the mountains of NC.) I just thought it was a weird thing that our family did. Never heard of anyone else doing it! You don’t know what you’re missing out on, Mrs. Beth!
My grandparents were from the mountains of North Carolina and they ate their cornbread like that too. Soooo good is right!
Happy Thanksgiving Beth! I am grateful for your Inheritance study that our group is finishing up. It has been wonderful. And I so look forward to the 2011 Siesta Scripture memory. Hope there is a 2012 Siesta Reunion in Houston!
Happy Thanksgiving all
I just listened to a teaching by Joni , it can be heard at
http://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/roh/today.php?pid=10697
Its a teaching God gave Joni, I probably don’t need to say anymore!
More than I can even express, it is the rich privilege of being part of this community, of being able to learn from you, Beth and from the input of other siestas, that I am deeply thankful for. I need this. I really do. Thank you, Unchanging Father.
I am so thankful for you, Beth Moore. You bring me back again and again to the Saviour, reminding me that He is always there, ever faithful, full of mercy and grace for me…..for ME! That there is always hope for ME! Thank you for being faithful.
Love,
Debbie
Sweet memories, sweet pictures, and a very sweet Thanksgiving post. We’ve had a really nice Thanksgiving. My dad & his wife drove up to be with us. They just came from the funeral of a beloved friend, who was most likely not a follower of Jesus. My dad is not a Christian. I love him so much. I just keep praying and trying to keep hope alive in my heart for him. I’ve been praying for him since I was eight. I’m thirty-six.
I love you. Thanks for sharing so much with us.
Big Hugs,
Michelle Clinton, TN
What a sweet, sweet blog. Thank you, precious one, for such wonderful thoughts.
Happy Thansgiving, Beth & LPM Village People. I love you one and all and praise our Mighty God we are gifted with one another’s friendships thru Siestaville!
My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with my singing lips I will praise the Lord…Psalm 63:5
What am I thankful for?
* My son’s 1 year of drug free living in about 1 week!
* My grandson’s birth. He is just perfect in every way!
* Scripture Memory Team sign up is only about a month away.
* My God’s strength that has been so visible in my son’s life and in mine through the trail of addiction and recovery this past year.
* Time today with both of my boys, my future daughter in law and my adorable nearly 4 month old grandson.
* But mostly, I am thankful that my great big God has time for someone such as me. Not only does he have time, he desires to know me.
Love,
Jan
And a very Happy Thanksgiving back at you!
Warm (and Stuffed) in Alaska.
Oh Beth … reading your posts makes me smile AND laugh: “For my neighbors who love me even though they think I’m a tad whacked.” We LOVE our “tad whacked Siesta Mama!”
Happy Thanksgiving! You are such a gift!
love, Michelle in Maine
Hey who wants to go shopping with me? Out this morning to get great deals on a few things I had been wanting for a while.
Historically t-shirt/sneakers, Idk anything about fashion. I tried a pair of stylish boots with a bow on the side. I thought, “Ooooh, my first pair of cute boots!”
But something was weird, I don’t even know if I had them on right. 😛 No one to ask, so I didn’t get them. Oh, well.
I am very thankful for the things I did get! (including new sneakers, haha) 🙂
Michele I would go with you! We would have great fun trying on fashion. I tried on a really expensive dress one time, came out to model it for my friend and the sales lady said it looked lovely, but I had it on backwards. I could use your help. 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving to the Moore family!
We LOVE you!
Im thankful for you, and the gift of eloquence the Lord has bestowed upon you, expressing much of what my heart feels but can’t articulate. Love your table! Who makes it? 🙂
God was good to me this Thanksgiving when I did not deserve it. Isn’t He always??!!
Beth,
That is the most beautiful table I have even seen. I am getting ready to paint my oval table and I might have to copy yours. I hope you don’t mind.
Gang,
I don’t know how to submit to a prayer list but please don’t post this. However, we needed you to know.
Our sweet siesta, Melissa Giomi, whom I met in Houston in January and has become my west coast Sister (we FB or Text every day now) was diagnosed with breast cancer on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving. She has a 6 year old son, Josh, a12 year old daughter, Emma and husband, Paul. She is devastated and will be having surgery as quickly as possible next week.
Please pray for her!!!
All my love to you,
Tracy Leary
Richlands, NC
Tracy, I’m praying for Melissa. Another Siesta that has breast cancer might be able to encourage her. God has been her peace during this season for her. Look up Elaine at peaceforthejourney.blogspot.com
Blessings and ((HUGS)) to you both,
katiegfromtennessee
I didn’t get a chance at the computer yesterday, so I just read this. I am sitting here teary eyed, especially at your thankfulness for Gay. What a tremendous blessing to have your sweet sister back in your life. Laughing at the cornbread in milk story – my sweet father is from Arkansas and he and my grandparents always put their cornbread in milk and ate it with a spoon! I always thought it was disgusting although I am not sure I ever tried it!
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Glory to God. They are not always wonderful but yesterday was great, much laughing, playing games, eating, and loving. We serve an awesome God who heals us up so nicely. Praise His Holy name.
Enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend. I love you all so much.
Lawan
Phil 4:8
I have to say that my grandparents always soaked their cornbread in buttermilk!! Yuck! I was never brave enough to try anything even closely related to buttermilk!
My grandmother used to put her’s in buttermilk too, but my sister and I used just regular milk–Delicious! It’s like dessert. Got leftover cornbread? Give ‘er a whirl.
there are not enough words to begin to thank Him for His grace to me. For my husband, my children, and our home I am in awe of His goodness. For my church family, our wonderful pastors and the anointing that HE rests on them, I am amazed.
For the sweet filling of His Holy Spirit and the food of His Word, my gratitude runs over. For the blessing of spiritual children and reaping a harvest I know I will never deserve, I am in a heap at the dust of His Feet. My Jesus is overwhelming,and I love HIm so…
and lest I forget His abundant grace to me, for this LPM ministry and for the sisterhood of all the siestas here, I am forever grateful. For the blessing of being taught and mentored by one who has such a heart like His, for YOU Beth, I am truly thankful.
Beth,
I want to thank you again for the awesome conference last weekend in Rapid City. I was thankful on Thanksgiving Day that God has indeed brought me out of anguish into a state of Shalom (Psalm 55:18).
Your message was the perfect one for me at this season in my life. I’ve been on several different anguish roller coasters for several years now and was really wishing I could just sit down with you over coffee and ask for your perspective. Everything you said really blessed me, but the things that blessed me the most were:
1.”If you even begin to be effective (for God’s glory), you become a target. Will you have the strength of mind and the discipline of life to see this thing through?”
2.”Joy in suffering doesn’t come circumstantially, it’s relational.”
3.”That same roller coaster ride that has taken you through the nightmare of your life can be the very same ride that takes you to your dream and your destiny.”
God really brought me healing through the worship time with Travis, your message on anguish morphing into joy, and through the hugs of many girlfriends (tas philas) at the conference that had ridden those roller coasters with me. Or in some cases, I had ridden their anguish roller coasters with them. I realized that those dear friends have become a source of joy for me and we would not be as close if we had not suffered together. From the very beginning of worship on Friday night, I could feel the twisted rag of my heart unwinding. I also thought of how as a child I used to twist up in a swing on the playground, and then enjoyed the accelerating thrill of spinning free.
Psalm 118:5
In my anguish I cried to the LORD,
and He answered me by setting me free.
A heartfelt thankyou to you, Beth, and many prayers that you have also experienced complete healing and the accelerating thrill of freedom from the anguish that you shared with us at the conference.
Love and Hugs,
Laura K in SD
Okay- this is wierd for me – I’m posting my heart to you guys for prayer. And I feel guilty about it! B/c I know it’s small potatoes. And I know I’ll be FINE and I know this is a great opportunity to draw closer to Jesus. So PTL!!!
My good, good friend and neighbor is moving away prob at the start of the new year. She is the ‘other’ stay-at-home on my street and basically one of my BFF’s. Her three kiddos and my three kiddos are like siblings. I grew up an Army brat so shifting neighbors is nothing new to me. Crying over this kind of news is familiar. Holding my 8-yr-old son as we both cry over the news (they have a boy his age and they’ve been buds for 6 years) is new to me. I’m a little surprised how my gut feels.
At our thanksgiving table yesterday three of the 6 adults were mourning losses (husbands/dad)- deep greif of men who were not believers to our knowledge. It was an unspoken heaviness.
My friend told me this morning about the move and we cried over the phone as we looked at each other’s homes through the window. I do thank God for providing a new start for her hsuband and I praise Him for all the good I know will come of this. But I’m losing the convenience and daily-ness of seeing my friend. And it hurts. Praise the Lord with me for giving me her for 6 years and for the adventure that lies ahead for us both. I am praying for those of you who have shared your burdens these past few days. Blessings.
Jennifer,
I’ll pray for you, that is hard, a good friend moving away. I was praying for you on Thanksgiving too, while I was making your fantastic Glazed Carrots recipe:) Blessings to you Jennifer:)
katiegfromtennessee
Praying for you, Jennifer! I know the losses associated with moving — either being the mover or the one left behind. God’s peace to you and your friend!
Happy Thanksgiving Siesta Mama! <3 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving All
Im still recovering form eating and going on a midngiht shopping run to walmart. Work came way to early this am. jJust a question looking for a new study bibile, which bible does Beth use or recommend. I saw this on the sight before but can’t remember. Thanks Stephanie, Ky
Beth,
Because I know you love poems I’m going to try to post one a week in your comments. Our very own Grandma Bush (who is now 100 yrs old) wrote these and they truly make Christmas come alive.
“Remembering”
When I was a child – I remember it well
‘Twas Christmas Eve and the soft snow fell
It covered the ground with a blanket of white
As I watched through the window in the
gathering night.
And my young heart sang, and I danced with glee
As I thought of the wonderful Christmas tree
And the toys to be placed there just for me.
So excited that I could hardly wait
To taste the candy and cookies and cake
And other goodies my mother would bake.
O’ the spicy odor of the dark fruit cake!
The “little Babe” was put under the tree
In His manger bed for all to see,
A little lamb so wooly and sweet
Was laid in the cradle at Jesus’ feet.
Mary so gentle and Joseph so tall
Stood by the crib in the stable stall.
After the Chrsitmas story was read
I knelt before them as I started to bed
And there in the firelight my prayers were said.
I would like to go back to that time once more
And hang a wreath on the wooded door
And kiss my mother and hug my dad
And kneel again at the Chrsit child’s bed.
Today as I stand by my Christmas tree
These beautiful memories come back to me.
By Katherine Bush
Christmas ’86
Hope this Christmas Season ministers to you, your family and all the people you love to serve.
Love your grandma’s poem! thanks for sharing!
Thanks Joyce! God bless
Love it! Made me think of my own Grandma.
We always love this time of the year! It is such a great time to celebrate and enjoy to holidays with the family. Diving into the Word is so important. It can be so exciting to see what wisdom God has in store for us to inspire and enlighten us. It seems that God always knows what I need to hear the most that truly touches my heart.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, Beth. I, too, have so much to be thankful for. 2 years ago in November was when God chose to begin His true healing in my heart and mind, releasing me from nearly 20 years of severe depression. I can hardly believe the changes He’s made myself! Hallelujah!
This year was kinda awkward though. We actually had dinner with people we don’t know, but will most likely be in our lives from here on out, Lord willing. My son got engaged to a lovely girl back around Labor Day, and we did not know her family one bit. So, they invited us for Thanksgiving Day. Honestly, it’s the one day in the whole year when I want to be with my loved ones, not strangers. But it was nice. I can’t see close relationships developing, but hopefully we’ll all have the same goal in mind, the happiness of our 2 kids who have decided to spend the rest of their lives together.
What an incredibly beautiful post! I sitting here all teary eyed and sniffly.
Thank you for sharing part of yourself today.
God bless you always.
Awesome post!
I don’t get to be on this blog everyday or read everything I want, but I love when I get to!
I love this:
“For a belief system where we can have absolute certainty of our salvation.We know this isn’t it. We know where we’re going and it’s good. We know that this turns out very well.”
Maybe that seems like an easy pick because it points to thanksgiving for salvation, but it hits me fresh ALL of the time. It sits in the front of my mind in meetings at work, when I’m being mistreated, wrongfully accused, ect … these days when i have strange physical symptoms that that no one has answers for. I can rely on God’s promises for those who believe. I can say to Christ everyday, I’m choosing to believe, and those promises apply to me! It turns what could be several miserable days/weeks/months into days with extraordinary amounts of purpose and hope in Christ.
Beth,
love love you. Happy Thanksgiving!
Siestas-
You are all so loving and kind! I wish i had more than a still avatar’s representation of you all. 🙂 Happy Thanks giving and Happy Digesting!
jess
Jessica
I’m so thankful for you precious Beth! You have no idea how much more I love Jesus because of your influence on my life. One day in heaven I’ll be able to tell you all about it. Thanks for your faithfulness..you are such a blessing!
Beth, today, as I have many times, I thank God for you, for your life and witness, your inspirational Bible teaching, your contagious love for Jesus and excitement about The Word, for your genuineness and vulnerability that gives the rest of us permission to be real. Thank you for your servant’s heart and the love and grace you pass along to us, your sisters in Christ. I pray that God will shower you with an abundance of His sweetest blessings. I’m proud to be on the journey with you!
Hugs from a fellow Texan 🙂
🙂 I loved this Thanksgiving with the exception of having to work it…Did my best to remember to give some grace, and remember I have it at the most difficult moments!
I wish I could tell all of you how awesome God has been lately…and I probably will babble on at some point, but I am so thankful for what He has done this past few months.
Someone sharing their story, gave me strength to share mine, and it changed my life…and I’m NOT kidding:)
xoxo
ang
Job 32:6-9
P.S- 6 days…:)
I pray that you and your family had a wonderfully blessed Thanksgiving.
Mom came down, we went to David’s sisters house to eat, and then came home.
I am Thankful for so many blessings that God has shown me or even at times, put right in front of my face when I could not see them!
I am so thankful for my loving husband, whom adores me as much as I adore him. I am thankful that he accepts and loves me, even with all my flaws, short-comings, and lack of house cleaning abilities!
I am thankful that all my children are happy, healthy, loved and adored by most.
I am thankful for a mother, whom I can now say is my friend, and that we are on a new level of a relationship, that is enjoyed and treasured as an adult daughter and mother friend/parental relationship.
I am so thankful for my grandbaby Bella, whose words just melt my heart, put a spring in my step, and awake a depressed soul! All she has to do is call me and say, “Meme, I love you, can you take me to…….., or Meme tell papaw I’m out of pop-tarts (her FAV snack!)!” Of course David will rush out and get her a whole case and send them to her that day!
I am thankful that God is healing a soul that was so depressed that I only wanted to sleep or find a way not to hurt, instead of dealing with the issues that have caused my depression.
I am thankful that I have a loving and forgiving savior, Jesus Christ, whom loves me unconditionally even with my flaws and all. Because at times, I am thinking as a parent first not a Christian first (as we should think), God sacrificed HIS CHILD, HIS SON, on MY behalf, and I can not wrap my human mind around this one!!
I am thankful for all my extended family members, whom I love, pray for and adore, even if there are what seems like a million miles between us, yet when a family emergency happens, we are right there for each other.
I am thankful for the times that I had with my grandparents! All three were so very important in forming who I am today. I have to make my own path in this earthly life, but I can always rely on the knowledge and experiences that they taught me when they were alive! My grandmother was such a loving, caring, and adoring person in my life, who formed a lot of my ideas of family, traditions, and religion. She cared deeply for me and I for her. She is missed daily!
I never thought I could be able say this, but I am thankful that that my father is no longer in pain, but is with our heavenly Father with a restored functioning body.
I am so so so very thankful black Friday is over and that I will not have to shop in that madness again until next year!
I am so thankful for you! You have been my prayer warrior, even when I did not know it! You kept me turned in the right direction, did not give up on me nor turn your back on me when I had made a mess of my life, and lets face it , there have been LOTS of them in my adult life! You have loved me so much, been there for me in my brightest and darkest times of need, and my dear sweet precious aunt, I love and adore you, not only as my aunt, but as my sister in OUR LORD AND SAVIOR!
Please give all my love to Keith, and the kids!
Meg
Can I just say that I’m thankful for you, too. ANNNND… Your dining table just might be my favorite piece of furniture, too. I could totally make mine look like that.
Blessings, and Happy Thanksgiving.
MB
well, I just thought my moma might want to know that….. On Thursday before we ate I prayed out loud for the first time in front of my mom’s side of the family. You should know I am 31 and I can never remember us praying, I just always said one in my head. Know what I mean? Now I loved your round table and I always love your pictures. You are so special and I’m so glad God made you!!! You make me smile! Love you a ton!!
Way to go, girl!
Thanks for the encouragement you gave me today while I was experiencing a tough moment. My daughter quit speaking to me last September and this Thanksgiving was a long hard day. She didn’t call or come to our home for the first time in her 24 years. Your teachings from Scripture have poured so much into this cracked jar of clay in other times. So this week I have turned to your book on insecurities to see what wisdom I can ream out of this heartache. So thank you for taking the time to blog and love those of us who need it. Our Savior loves the brokenhearted, but sometimes it helps to see Him in a human face like yours and mine. I get the message more concretely that way. It’s like He is saying, “I really do understand how it hurts, I really do,” Why is that so hard to grasp at times when I feel so lost?
Love you, Beth…..I just realized….my daughter’s name is Beth. Please pray for her and my husband and I.
I think this is my first post. I am a siesta stalker desperate for the love I get from this site. Beth, God has used you in my life to see clearer but I just still can’t seem to apply His truths to my life!!! I need help! My physical body is failing, I am on daily pain patches but it is my emotional stability that is impaired! I stay nervous, never remembering anything, sound very cross in my tone and sleep literally 2/3’s of my life. Please help me Beth. I have been to counselors and psychs and they all say it is my physical problem. I am terrified my adult girls will get tired of me since I am changed. My youngest got engaged this Thanksgiving and I could not even stay up. I made myself for portions of time. Beth, is God mad or wanting me to learn something new??? I am literally so tired I would rather beg Him to take me home than go on ruining my family’s lives with this hateful disease … I love u Beth and LWM
Debra says thank you God for today. Dark cloud sent by Satan removed by our Most High God. As I remember siesta beth saying over and over. I am His Princess and He is my King and I will ask in Faith like those before me for healing believing now the healing emotionally has already taken place. Praise God from whom all blessings flow !!!!
Warmest Greetings Siesta Mama!:) I’m with my little bit this am so my post will probably not be a coherent as some:) I loved reading this post! Your cornbread makes me smile:) Reading your list of what you are thankful for was one blessing after another. My small one has hiccups now and keeps throwing her toy on the floor while I’m typing…there it goes again:) Well, Siesta Mama, Living Proof makes our lives richer in Jesus too. Not kiddin’:) We love you all lots in the Lord and are thankful for you all too. Amen, Psalms 28, I could cry about just the fact of my salvation today, and that hopelessness is not a part of my vocabulary anymore, because I have hope now, and it is an anchor for my soul. He is the Anchor for my soul, Amen and amen!:)
Blessings to you this morning Siesta Mama Beth:)
katiegfromtennessee
Beth,
I absolutely love Thanksgiving..it is my most favorite holiday. I think because it involves focusing on thankfulness, and not all the hassel of getting the right gift.. the gift is relationships.
Even in the difficult years, we can all find something for which to be thankful Mostly how God continues to provide and be with us during our struggles.
I am so thankful this year for having all of our 4 children out of college, many graduating with honors. For a loving husband, who GOd continues to encourage. Also, for a profession that enables me to minister to people at their greatest vulnerability, and provide scientific healing as well as spitirual healing. I am so happy and thankful to have turned 50 a few weeks ago. It is more liberating than I imagined..I LOVE IT.
I am so thankful, beyond articulation, for the opportunity to serve God this past year, through the LPL ministries. Serving as City Coordinator, streteched me, and developed skills for the Lord. God blew me away at every step as He provided the right people to serve in every aspect of the planning and praying process. WE had prayer warriors all over the Commonwealth and beyond. I cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store next for me:)
I am eternally thankful for the annointing God has placed on you and your ministry and that you continue to share that with people all over the world. May God continue to bless you, your family, and ministry as your bring the one and the only greatest gift of Thanksgiving,,,our Lord and savior.
blessings,
Linda
Loved reading and reflecting on your post…I am two days late! But what an “Oh so great salvation” we share, thanks to “Siestaville”! I had to smile at your baked yams – on TDay I did a scrumptuous “Yam souffle” (thanks to Cooks.com) …tasted a bit like pumpkin pie filling! I also tried my hand at homemade yeast rolls. I was disappointed at the results when we discovered I had forgotten to put in the salt called for! I think there was a spiritual lesson to be learned there. We slatered them with creamery butter and turkey giblet dressing and no one was the wiser, except for the me, the cook, and my husband who detected the omission by his discerning palate! He had the good graces to come up and whisper this news in my ear. And then, of course, I had to open my mouth again and give information that wasn’t necessary to everyone, and all agreed, salt in the yeast rolls would have helped! LOL! Just like a little salt in our lives…
Blessings and love to all in our Siestaville community of faith. We have so much to be thankful for! I am most especially thankful for our Siesta “Mom” Beth, her willingness to share the extraordinary beauty found in the life of faith and seemingly ordinary things and all in ministry at LPM and the great work they do. Praise God for the ministry that makes this forum possible, and I want to tell the difference it has made in my life, and the mysterious way the Holy Spirit works through the sharings of all. I am blessed, and I am helped. Thank you LORD!
Lovingly,
Pam H.
In the midst of painful circumstances through this holiday, I am so thankful for your post that reminds me that Jesus is here with us through it all and He never fails us. Thank you for your faithfulness to the ministry God has given you. I wonder if you have a glimpse of how God uses you to impact thousands. He is amazing. Happy Thanksgiving Beth. Love the pics (and your table is beautiful, I can see why its a favorite!)
Shelly in FL