Not only a Month but a LIFETIME of Thankfulness

WOW!   I can't believe it is already November!  Where has this year gone?  It has been a year for the books.  As a family guy, there has been so much that has gone on in our family this year that I could be bitter, hold grudges, be angry.  You name it, I could be it.  However, when I look back  and reflect on this past year, I have only one thing to be, and that is THANKFUL, GREATFUL, and BLESSED!

This past year has been a roller coaster of emotions and happenings.  My wife as many of you know, has been struggling with Trigeminal Neuralgia, Vestibular Neuralgia, and Ramsey Hunt Syndrome.  She has had a battle to fight.  It has been a long hard one.  These conditions have extremely limited her mobility as well as energy levels.  Through this, we could have chosen to be mad and upset at life and God, however, we have learned to be Grateful, Thankful and realize we are blessed!

My wife and I have definitely learned the art of "Doing things on the Fly!"  We go when we can and make things happen because we just never know what the next day will bring.  We take it one day at a time.  In addition to my wife's conditions, my health has been an issue as well.

This is something that I have not shared with many people, however, I am putting it out there now.  About a year and half ago, I went in for a CT Scan for my Diverticulitis.   That very same day I get a call from the Doctors office.  You know right off the bat, that getting a call from your Dr. on the same day that you get a test run, 9 out of 10 times is generally not good news.  Well, it was not.  They told me that they saw a "Spot" on my bladder and  I needed to get it checked out ASAP.  WOW!  talking about a blow to the gut!  I still remember the sinking feeling that I got when they told me.  Now what?  Well, we proceeded to get a follow up with a urologist who would run a series of tests on me.  The test came back with what no one wants to hear, "Cancer"  Well thank the Lord that through a series of procedures, the Dr. was able to cut out all of the cancerous cells from my bladder.  I thought I was in the clear, but the Dr. "found" some more suspicious cells in my kidney area.  So the verdict is still out.  So now what?  Well, I could be mad, I could be upset but thankfully I have a huge sense of peace.  What else can I do?  This is something that is totally out of my control.  I now have to have faith and trust more than ever.  Now I would be lying if I said that I was NEVER scared, upset, worried.   That is far from the truth.  I have experienced all of those emotions and then some.  However, what is difference?   After allowing myself to just be, and experience those emotions, I now must say that I have that huge sense of peace.  I know that as I continue to place my life in the hands of my creator, and trust in Him and know that he holds my hand as well as my future, I have NOTHING to fear!   I am Grateful, Thankful and Blessed!

Proverbs 3:5-6 says this "Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your path straight." (NIV)

Here is a little something to leave you with.  It is a little funny description of life that I found on the net.  I hope it will give you a chuckle but also make you think as well.

I AM THANKFUL: FOR THE WIFE WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME, AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.
FOR THE HUSBAND WHO IS ON THE SOFA BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.
FOR THE TEENAGER WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME, NOT ON THE STREETS.
FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED .
FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.
FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.
FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE
FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING, WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING, AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME
FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH. ..
FOR THE PARKING SPOT I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION .
FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.
FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH WHO SINGS OFF KEY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.
FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.
FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.
FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.
AND I AM THANKFUL: FOR THE crazy people I work with
BECAUSE they make work interesting and fun!
AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL
BECAUSE? IT MEANS I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME

So for me and I hope for you as well, that you take a look at your life and as you examine it, you will find out that this is not only a month of thankfulness but a LIFETIME.  Be Grateful, Thankful and Blessed!

Let there be "Thanks"

Hello everyone!  It's that time of the year again!  Halloween is over and now the big push begins into the Holiday Season.  Before you know it, we will be singing "Jingle Bell Rock!"  OK, I won't jump the gun yet.   (Even though I must confess, I have already listened to some Christmas music). 

Seriously though, as we begin to dive head strong into this Holiday Season, let's not forget what the month of November is all about!   Sometimes, Thanksgiving gets overshadowed by the Christmas holiday.  It appears that it almost gets "Skipped" when you go into stores, the immediate change from Halloween to Christmas without what seems to be skipping a beat. 

So with that in mind, I know I don't want to forget what November is all about and that is being thankful!  So each day this month, I want to list one thing that I am grateful for each day.   Are you with me?  You will be surprised as you list something specific that you are thankful for.  30 days is just not enough!  I hope that that this little challenge will make you think and reconnect with what is important and really matters.

Are you ready?  Here we go!  Day #1 (2013) I am thankful for my Salvation!

Whoever knows me, knows this.  What is most important to me is my faith in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!  I am nothing without Him!  He is my strength when I am weak, He is the treasure that I seek, He is my all in all!  It is my personal relationship with Jesus that keeps me going!  I know without a shadow of a doubt that He is the one that I can run to and He is the one that will never fail!  Even when I mess up and miss the mark, His love for me is unconditional!

Thank you Jesus for your love and salvation!  To you be all the glory and Honor!

 

New Everyday!

Today I am very thankful for a beautiful new day!  That's right a new day!  I think sometimes we take each day for granite.  However, we are not promised tomorrow.  So I say "Carpe diem"   or "Seize the Day!"  Everyday should be a blessing and we need to be thankful for each day that we have.   Every day is a New day!  A new day to start fresh.  A clean slate.  You have not written anything on yet.  The day is yours to do with as you wish.  Take full advantage of that!  "Carpe diem"  I love the scripture that says in Lamentations 3:22-23 "The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease.  Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning."   That is why I look at each new day as a new fresh start!  So I am thankful for each new day.  I am thankful that I can seize the day for all it's worth!  I can make it or break it, it is my choice!

No Strings Attached

Today I am so thankful for my wonderful and awesome wife!  Brenda is the love of my life and she is such a tremendous blessing to me!  Her love and support is unconditional.  No matter what, she is and has always been there for me.  She sees past my quirks and my idiosyncrasies, and still chooses to love me for who I am!  That unconditional love.  Even on my bad days!  Yes I do have them.  There are days when I get frustrated, whether it be with kids, work, or just everyday life, she is still there for me, takes me as I am and still always there to love me!  WOW!!!  What more can I ask?  We have shared this wonderful connection with each other now for over 23 years and it has been awesome and I am truly looking forward to the many more years that we have together!  My wife is the best and I would not have her any other way!  So a big THANK YOU and I am so GRATEFUL for YOU! goes out to my loving and wonderful wife Brenda Lorenzo!!!  You are truly the best!

Are You Counting?

Hello everyone!  I hope this post finds your day going well?  Mine is fantastic!  Today I am counting. Counting what you may ask?  Well, counting my blessings!  That is what I am thankful for today.  The many blessings that have come to me and are still and will come down to me!  You see, blessings can be so many things.  They can come in so many different shapes, forms, sizes.  You just have to realize that they are there and they are blessings!  I know I get accused of a lot of looking at the glass as "Half-full" all the time, but I choose to be that way and try to see the good and the blessings in all situations!  Even in the tough times.  Yes, tough times will come and they have come and will continue to come, it is just how to go through them that will make you or break you!  It all goes back to the "Counting." 

You see, when I choose to see the good in all things and count my blessings, I truly believe that it makes going through life so much easier.  Yes, I do acknowledge that the bad things are there and do effect outcomes of situations, but still I can find the blessing or the good in it somehow or somewhere!  So I will always be "Counting!" 

There is an old Hymn that says this:

1. When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
   When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
   Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
   And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
   
   • Refrain:
     Count your blessings, name them one by one,
     Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
     Count your blessings, name them one by one,
     *Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
     [*And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.]
2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
   Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
   Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
   And you will keep singing as the days go by.
3. When you look at others with their lands and gold,
   Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
   Count your many blessings—*money cannot buy [*wealth can never buy]
   Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
4. So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
   Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
   Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
   Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

So are you counting?  Start today and I think you will truly be amazed at what you come up with!   Now go and be blessed!!!

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's Off To Work I Go!

Day # 7 of the November Thankfulness challenge.  Today I am thankful for my job!  Yes, my job!  Not only because it is a source of income for me and my family, but I truly enjoy what I do.  I am very thankful that I can get up Monday through Friday and go into work and do what I love to do!  I have an awesome group of people that I work with everyday.  It is fun and challenging, keeps me on my toes!  Got to love the rush!  So I am extremely thankful for the awesome opportunity to work with a fantastic group of people! 


P.S.  Now I'm in trouble because I don't think I can get the Hi Ho song out of my mind :)  Keep being thankful everyone!  You will be glad you did!

The Gift of Freedom!

Hello All,

I know I am behind on my own challenge here, however, I have not stopped being thankful for something each day.   Today (Nov 6th) is Election day here in the good old United States of America.  So today I am VERY thankful for my right as an American Citizen to vote and have this democratic process in our country to select our leaders.  As we all know, this opportunity did not come without a great price!  This freedom is a gift given to us by the many men and woman who have fought valiantly for our freedom and ability to vote!  The sacrifices that they have made so that you and I can have the opportunity to cast our ballet will never go unappreciated with me and hopefully you feel the same way.

So on this Election day, I am very thankful for my gift of freedom.  So I challenge everyone of you regardless of your political preferences to exercise your freedom to freely vote.  Just remember to be very thankful for all the men and woman who have fought for this right and freedom!