Thanksgiving Musings: Love Wins

I'm so glad that, as I get older, I'm becoming an early riser. One of my favorite things to do on the beach (if I'm up early enough!) is to watch the sun rise over the horizon to the tune of crashing waves. I love to take in the miniscule, microsecond changes one misses by not paying close attention. A bird formation appearing out of nowhere and changing the landscape, ever so briefly. A gentle breeze beckoning the palm trees to join in a subtle dance. A dolphin's fin cutting through a wave for two seconds, noticed only by those who choose to sit and ponder the beauty, magnificence, and power displayed every second throughout creation. Nature rewards in a special way those who devote time to admire it.

I stand in awe as I watch the sun rise over the ocean. Light takes over the darkness slowly, imperceptibly and, yet, with such power. The darkness flees in the mere presence of light. All the light has to do is be.... 

Watching this conquest, this daring display, I grasp something about God's goodness triumphing--always--over evil. This victory may seem slow to manifest at times, but it is happening nonetheless. 

The light takes over the darkness. 

God triumphs. 

Love wins.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Dr Mari

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 

John‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬

Love never fails. 
1 Corinthians 13:8

A Season of Thanks

As we approach the week set aside to give thanks, it is good to remember that living each day with a thankful heart is powerful. While praying with my family last night, our sweet daughter prayed,

"Lord, we all have so much already, but we sometimes want more. You have given us everything we need. Help us, Lord, to be thankful. Help us move out of the season of greed into the season of thanks. Help us with this, Lord. Help us really understand what it means to be thankful."

I am so thankful for my children, for they help me see God and know His heart. Here's the psalm our eleven year-old son wrote for Bible class.

"Praise be to the Lord. 

He has blessed us. 

Allow Him to be exalted higher than the heavens. 

He cares for His People. 

Make forth great celebrations in His name. 

He has shown us mercy. 

Allow Him a place in your heart. 

He created it and blessed it. 

Thank Him for creation.

He has given us it.

Love Him with all your heart, soul, and mind. 

His love is infinite."

May we be thankful for God's blessings each day and remain in a season of thanks in our hearts.

Thankful,

Dr Mari

Prayer by H.W., Psalm by J.W. All Rights Reserved.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Colossians 2:6,7

Today, I Am Thankful - Again!

Today, I am thankful.

I am thankful for a new day and the opportunities it brings.

I am thankful for children's laughter, for their honesty and innocence.

I am thankful for the gift of life and health, 

for the ability to walk, talk, hear, see, and admire God's creation.

I am thankful for friends who stay near when it matters most 

and I am thankful for the memories that keep old friends near.

I am thankful for family, for love,

 and for the mundane of every-day living.

I am thankful for trials, for tough times, for people who stretch me.

I am thankful for the priceless gift of true friendship.

I am thankful for rainy days that force me to slow down

and cherish the simple.

I am thankful for God's gifts and my ability to develop and use them.

I am thankful for God and His goodness. 

I am thankful for the sacrifice that opened the door to Life eternal.

I am thankful for God's Word and its riches, its challenges, and its Truth.

I am thankful for God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

I am thankful for the mystery

and I am thankful for its miraculous nearness.

I am thankful for mercy, forgiveness, and grace.

Today and every day, 

I am thankful.

Thanksgiving: My New Book is Coming Soon!

12/12 UPDATE: My devotional for healthcare professionals and caregivers is now available! Visit my author website for details! 

To all my faithful followers and encouragers,

I am thrilled to share that I just finished the final round of edits for my devotional, Walking with Jesus in Healthcare. With God's help, it will be in print very soon! My faith has grown and my heart has been transformed while writing it, and I pray that it will bless every reader with a closer walk with God.

Here's an excerpt I share at the end of the book. It comes from a hymn written by Fanny Crosby in 1882. It is also the song of my heart as I complete this work I was called to do. What a privilege!

"Oh, the unsearchable riches of Christ,

wealth that can never be told!

Riches exhaustless of mercy and grace,

precious, more precious than gold!

Oh, the unsearchable riches of Christ!

Freely, how freely they flow,

making the souls of the faithful and true

happy wherever they go!

Oh, the unsearchable riches of Christ!

Who would not gladly endure

trials, afflictions, and crosses on earth,

riches like these to secure!"

Wishing you a strong faith and a life full of true riches,
Dr Mari

For more information and updates, visit my author website.