The Best Way to Draw Near

"Bring me the gift of thanksgiving, 

which opens your heart to rich communion with Me. 

Because I am God, from whom all blessings flow,

 thankfulness is the best way to draw near Me." 

(Jesus Calling)

Opening my heart to give thanks, even on days when I am burdened with cares and concerns ... is the way to open up my heart to rich communion with God. It is true. There were a few days this past week when my concerns seemed to almost block out the giving of thanks, but I am so grateful to a loving God who surprises us with special, unexpected blessings ... gently pulling our hearts back to gratitude. And back to nearness with Him.

Sharing my gratitude from this past week:

~ His mercy and His grace, even, and especially, in our weaknesses ...

~ a special lunch together with a son; cherishing time with him, as he will soon be traveling afar ...

~ an evening with three year-old granddaughter and eight year-old grandson, hearing of their fun family vacation ...

~ an offer of a two-night stay (for free!) at a hotel by Lake Okoboji for our anniversary weekend in August ... 

~ my loving, patient husband, comforting me during a difficult time ...

~ a day off together, celebrating his birthday; family party to come later ...

~ a drive north from our town and across the Missouri River, to Lewis & Clark Monument; a broad view of the flooding ...

~ ending the day with a late night talk by Wehrspann Lake in Chalco Hills ... and going back there the next evening for a picnic, and more time to relax ...

~ thankful for my husband who loves to spend free time relaxing, reading, enjoying nature ...

~ for more plans to take time off together, taking breaks from our busyness ...

~ a renewed heart to look for His gifts, taking our eyes off of concerns ...

~ perfect weather on Saturday to wash windows, preparing our home for a family reunion here soon ... 

~ more progress in cleaning, planning, and preparing for thirty family here at our place ...

~ taking time Sunday afternoon to drive my 90 year-old father to his home place, where he lived with his new bride back in 1945-1947 (their first home together, no longer there, but had been near the barn and evergreen tree in photo below) ...

~ my father's thankful heart that there was not flooding in that area ...

~ time to drive around near Luton, Iowa, and see a 40-acre plot of land which my father had owned back in the 1940's, now set aside for hunting ...

~ driving back home along the Missouri River, much flooding; thankful that our little town (and our home) is on higher ground ... but so sorry for the many who have had to evacuate their homes near us ...

Many roads closed near our home, this one just a mile from us ...

Flooding on the north edge of a town north of us ...

~ time to stop and see a daughter and son-in-law's beautiful newly remodeled living room ...

~ and a stop at another daughter and son-in-law's brand new home, almost done; so beautiful, and set in such a restful location ...

~ meeting some new friends at church yesterday, brand new to our church, and soon to be married ...

Thank You, Lord, for all the gifts and blessings You opened my eyes to this past week, lifting me from my concerns and filling me with joy. 

"This is the day the Lord has made.

We will rejoice and be glad in it."

(Zephaniah 3:17)

(One Thousand Gifts #482-501)

Linking up with others, sharing gratitude at A Holy Experience.