A Thanksgiving Prayer For Advent

Posted on November 27, 2016 by Coco

While the secular world began preparing for Christmas a few days ago with Black Friday sales, today many Christians will begin preparing for Christmas by celebrating the first Sunday of Advent. This holiday season I am focusing on maintaining an attitude of gratitude, even after all the leftover turkey has been eaten and the last slice of pie has been devoured. 

Thanksgiving Prayer

Remembering all I have to be thankful for will make it easier to focus on the reason for the season and resist the pressure to want more. I think the prayer of general Thanksgiving from the Episcopalian Book of Common Prayer is a good place to start. Continue reading →

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Abundant Runfessions

Posted on November 25, 2016 by Coco

It’s the last Friday of November, which means it’s time to come clean with our Runfessions. If we fess up now, does that mean we can get on Santa’s nice list?

november-runfessions

I will not be runfessing how much stuffing and pie I ate yesterday, but since I do have five other things to runfess, I’m also joining the Friday Five 2.0 link up hosted by Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness.

Continue reading →

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Choosing To Be Grateful

Posted on November 23, 2016 by Coco

I’m rarely “ready” for Thanksgiving–it always seems to sneak up on me after my birthday–but this year more than ever I am ready to take some time to focus on being grateful.

gratititude and choosing to be grateful
One of my favorite passages in the Bible (Phillipians 4: 6) reminds me to be grateful instead of anxious:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Continue reading →

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Saying Goodbye To Tiger Lilly

Posted on November 20, 2016 by Coco

Last week life took me on quite an emotional roller coaster ride. I started the week riding the high of our great visit with our daughter last weekend, coasted right through to a wonderful birthday, and then spiraled down to the day we had to say goodbye to Tiger Lilly. 

Tiger Lilly

It was time, but it’s never easy.

I was able to take the day off, and we spent some time with her outside
 Tiger Lilly

and let her enjoy one of her favorite treats.

Tiger Lilly

Anyone who has lost a pet understands the heartache and emptiness. We keep expecting her to greet us, have to keep stopping ourselves from looking for her, and keep remembering that she is gone. She enriched our lives with her sweet, goofy nature and we are grateful for the years she was part of our family. 

I’m linking up for the Weekly Wrap Link Up hosted by Holly and Tricia, and I’ve selected some of my favorite stories about Tiger Lilly to link below.

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Praying For The Human Family

Posted on November 20, 2016 by Coco

As I prepare to gather with friends and family to celebrate Thanksgiving, I am mindful of how blessed I am. While I am deeply concerned about the direction our country is taking, I have the luxury of putting those concerns aside–at least for a day. I can ban political talk around the Thanksgiving table because keeping the peace in my house is more important to holding my family together than planning how to take action. Still, I understand that for other families, taking action is more important than keeping the peace. 

Family Dinner

This week and in the weeks to come, I will be praying for our country, and for healing for the pain and fear that so many are enduring.  This prayer from the Episcopalian Book of Common Prayer resonates particularly well for me in these turbulent times. 

Prayer For The Human Family

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son:

Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

I hope that as we as a country celebrate Thanksgiving we remember that we are members of a larger human family, recognize the humanity of those we disagree with, and come together to love our neighbors (near and far). 

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