A good writing pen.

Yes. I give thanks for a good writing pen. I dare say not many folks like a good pen more than I do.  I collect them.

And so it occurs to me the pretty, colorful barrels, the clips, all the pretty outside things do not a good pen make.

It’s what’s inside the barrel that makes it write well, or not.  Gel or ballpoint, the point is the point.  Some points give you a smooth, no-drag, just thrill to dance across the page.

Yep. It’s that filler inside that controls what is seen on the outside.

Scripture has a few things to say about inside and outside.

²⁸ Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness. source Matthew 23 NLT

⁶ For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  source 2 Corinthians 4 (NKJV)

⁴ You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.  source 1 Peter 3:4 (NLT)

So above all things, we can give thanks for what’s on the inside – if what’s on the inside is JESUS.  Reminds me of that pumpkin story.

A lady recently being baptized was asked by a co-worker what it was like to be a Christian. She replied, “It’s like being a pumpkin:  God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off you may have gotten from the other pumpkins. Then he cuts the top off and scoops out all the yucky stuff. He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see.”  source

I like pumpkins.   :)

So for what are you giving thanks today?

Steps!

I’m thankful for every one I am able to take. I reminded myself of that very recently when I left the room without picking up what I went in there to get. And.

Bacon.

More specifically bacon on the grill.  It smells like breakfast any time of day and memories.  Happy memories.
Now wait before you say – you! eating bacon :) It’s preservative free!

The sound of the washing machine. Just think about what’s wrapped up in that privileged sound: water, power, clothes, health – all those resources and all that strength to dirty the clothes and to clean them!

The giving of thanks for ordinary things. It makes me know I am happy. :)

So for what are you giving thanks today? 

Giving thanks for a pretty umbrella and a Baby Girl and Hubby who shared it with us.

Umbrellas.

Shields. They shield us from sun and rain and even keep the table cleaner we hope.

Sunday School.

Our lesson came from 2 Peter 1.  Click here for  a link to read.

Verse 4 says we have exceedingly great and precious promises and if we believe and rely on these exceedingly great and precious promises we have the greatest of all shields as we traverse this often hostile planet.

Virtue.

Verse 5 says we are to add virtue to our faith.  In preparation for the class I was led to an understanding of the word virtue that has given me cause for praise. So thankful!

Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary.   Just key it in. Virtue.

VIRTUE is nothing but voluntary obedience to truth.

Voluntary obedience to truth!

Does it get any better? We can have virtue y’all! All it takes is choosing to voluntarily obey the truth.

Bring on the virtue and when we see JESUS, He will surely say well done good and faithful servant.

So for what are you giving thanks today?