thanksgiving – Page 2 – Sugar And Spice… Among Other Things

Christian, Daily, Random Thoughts, Reflections

Trail of Blessings

Posted on September 1, 2019June 21, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Being a totally free weekend, yesterday late evening saw both the adults hitting the herb patch at the far east side of the kitchen garden. With the heavy rains and the onslaught by the garden slugs, most of the young parsley were damaged. It was a tenuous process, weeding out the damaged ones, tracing the slug trails wherever seen, putting salt on the few that were seen and replanting rosemary and mint along as stripes to ward them off. All through this procedure, one is reminded of the enormous clutter left in the thoughts and minds at the end of week. Flashbacks of unhappy incidents, moments of anger and frustration all surface in the mind. Just like the slugs, their trail need to found and weeded lest they grow in plenty.

“Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:7

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

During the twists and turns of the day, it serves to remind ourselves of the blessing that the Lord has bestowed on each of us. Each one of us have our own share of problems, be them physical, mental, emotional or social issues. Instead of carrying over the frustrations and spilling them over to the next day; address them and cancel them out with the unexpected gifts and blessings received. The more one appreciates the gifts of His Love, then one realizes His Grace and His Kindness which is silently bestowed, at times when one needed it most. Despite the damage and after effects of the downfalls or pit stops; learn to look beyond at the blessings which may have their young shoots soon surging upwards. Once we learn about Hus Love, only then will the true appreciation of His Blessings in our daily lives come.

“O Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.” Psalms 95:1-3

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

We Thank Thee
Ralph Waldo Emerson

For flowers that bloom about our feet,
For tender grass so fresh and sweet,
For the song of bird and hum of bee,
For all things fair we hear or see,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee.

For blue of stream and blue of sky,
For pleasant shade of branches high,
For fragrant air and cooling breeze,
For beauty of the blooming trees,
Father in heaven we thank Thee.

For this new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee.

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Daily, Family and Society, Personal Musings, Quotes, Stories Around the World

Balance the Scales

Posted on August 30, 2019May 18, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.” Edgar Allan Poe

The day before the weekends or sometimes the weekends themselves, bring out the cleaning spree in me. Bitten by the “cleaning bug”, from the curtains to the upholstery as well as furnishings including all the mats and the carpets are brought out, aired, sun dried and brought in, especially before the dark clouds start hovering around. When bitten bu the bug, the entire household tip toes around fearing the retribution of a spilled cup of water on the floor or even those muddy footprints around. Yet by sun down, the shining and polished furniture starts showing a scrape of grime brought by little hands after their outdoor (or attic) fun. While slowly the red fiery steam starts rising within, a heavy dose of temperance is brought out from within to quench the flames, lest the gleeful smiles and childhood memories are lost for the day.

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” Oprah Winfrey

Source:https://vk.com/public138314547

There will be days in each of our lives, where one goes out of the way to do everything in the right manner. Despite all the efforts, there would be no returns but regrets and inner unrest. Those days, when one learns to take events in stride and move on, those perceived unhappy moments turn into blessed ones. In the light of the events of those days, the attitude that one chooses and the perceptions used to colour the day brightens up the gloomy mood, bringing forth the inner light.

“To change ourselves effectively, we first had to change our perceptions.” Stephen R. Covey

Each one is in the rush to lead their own lives. While each one may seem to measure the other, in the end it is the personal happiness and the inner peace that each one strives and craves for. Knowing when to remove the dust, leave it on or capture the muddy prints makes the difference in the day. To redefine the angry moments of the day by changing the perceived notions is important. Finding the balance between the “to do”, would like to do and long to do, is important to live our lives to the potential that one was born to.

Source:https://vk.com/public138314547

Source:https://vk.com/public138314547

“Dream delivers us to dream, and there is no end to illusion. Life is like a train of moods like a string of beads, and, as we pass through them, they prove to be many-colored lenses which paint the world their own hue. . . . ” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Dust if you must, but wouldn’t it be better to paint a picture or write a letter, bake a cake or plant a seed, or even ponder the difference between want and need?
Dust if you must, but there’s not much time, with rivers to swim and mountains to climb, music to hear and books to read, friends to cherish and life to lead.
Dust if you must, but the worlds out there with the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair, a flutter of snow, a shower of rain. This day will not come around again.
Dust if you must, but bear in mind, old age will come and it’s not kind. And when you go – and go you must, you, yourself will make more dust! It’s not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived … and remember, a layer of dust protects the wood beneath it.
Author Unknown

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

Source:https://vk.com/public138314547

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

Source:https://vk.com/public138314547

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

Daily, Life, Personal Musings, Photography Art, Quotes, Stories Around the World, Work

Dance through the Storm

Posted on August 21, 2019May 18, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“ Your attitude is like a box of crayons that color your world. Constantly color your picture gray, and your picture will always be bleak. Try adding some bright colors to the picture by including humor, and your picture begins to lighten up.” Allen Klein

Although the skies have been still cloudy and the roads are wet and slippery, with children clambering to escape outdoors and get wet with every opportunity that presents; the regular downpours don’t seem like a hindrance. The daily adult life, both at home and at work involves getting past the rain and into safety of the indoor world, regaling adventures in, around, about and out of the rain. The dark clouds outside need not necessarily darken the mood within, especially if one doesn’t allow it to happen.

“Our attitudes control our lives. Attitudes are a secret power working twenty-four hours a day, for good or bad. It is of paramount importance that we know how to harness and control this great force.” Tom Blandi

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Like the rainy days, each one of us have our own “personal bad”. Whether it be the lack of material comfort, an uncomfortable job or family situations, ill health, difficult employer or simply being there at the wrong time; things will pass on. Yet never let those dark moments define or destroy the brightness that each day brings forth. Just as each one has their own “kettle of troubles”, it’s how one reacts hen the water boils that makes all the difference. From being irritated by the noise or rising steam to whistling out a tune from the “singing steam”; one’s attitude defines the circumstances more than “the reverse manner”.

“Attitude is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than what people do or say. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill.” Charles Swindoll

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head.
‘Well’, she said, ‘I think I’ll braid my hair today?’
So she did and she had a wonderful day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head. ‘H-M-M,’ she said, ‘I think I’ll part my hair down the middle today?’ So she did and she had a grand day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head. ‘Well,’ she said, ‘today I’m going to wear my hair in a pony tail.’ So she did and she had a fun, fun day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn’t a single hair on her head. ‘YEA!’ she exclaimed, ‘I don’t have to fix my hair today!’
Attitude is everything.
Author Unknown

“A healthy attitude is contagious but don’t wait to catch it from others. Be a carrier.” Anonymous

Source:https://vk.com/pub_mdma

Family and Society, Life, Personal Musings, Stories Around the World

Missed Out

Posted on August 8, 2019May 14, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

In one of the recent birthday celebrations, one of the party games was to ask the blindfolded person was asked to to guess what was wrapped in the paper by feeling out the package through tactile methods. While some got their guesses right, many went way off track; which was the fun of the game. Introspectively one plays a lot of the “blind guesses in life”.

“Blessings sometimes show up in unrecognizable disguises.” Janette Oke

One of the perils of engaging the human mind is that it thinks way off track than the reality. When in a conundrum, the human mind brings more things to imagination than the reality. Consequently a lot is lost in life as one is too busy wildly speculating, instead living in the present. On the other hand, when one waits for events to unfold and see what is at hand; the blessings enjoyed would be many.

“Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself, and know that everything in life has purpose. There are no mistakes, no coincidences, all events are blessings given to us to learn from.” Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

Unfortunately the human mind learns most through certain regrets in life. Then it may be too late to change things and get back on track. Each one of us have been given the gift of the present. Instead of guessing out whether we will receive what we have always asked for; continue to put in one’s best shot in life. Doing the latter, would result in better blessings or gifts, more that one may have dreamed of. Losing out on the blessings due to one’s pride, arrogance, blind expectations or insecurities can result in opportunities being missed, lost relationships and precious time wasted. Although by the time, hindsight, regrets and remedial measures may be taken, it may be too late to do them.

“Sometimes we don’t realize the blessings we have until we no longer have them. Appreciate all the blessings in your life, take none for granted.” Catherine Pulsifer

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

Source:https://vk.com/we_live_a

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

A young man was getting ready to graduate from university. For a long time he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealers showroom and knowing his father could well afford it, he told his Dad that was all he wanted. As his graduation day approached the young man began looking for signs that his father had bought the car. Finally on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son and he told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautifully wrapped gift box. Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely leather bound Bible with the young man’s name embossed in gold. Angry, he raised his voice to his father and said, ‘With all your money you give me a Bible?’ and then stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in his own business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realised his father was very old and thought perhaps he should go to him as he had not spoken to him since that graduation day. Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him that his father had passed away and had willed all his possessions to his son so he needed to come home and take care of things. When he arrived at his father’s house sadness and regret filled his heart. He began sorting through his fathers papers and saw the still new Bible just as he had left it years ago.

With tears in his eyes he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. His father had carefully underlined a verse . . . Matthew – 7:11, ‘And if ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father which is in Heaven give to those who ask him?’As he read these words a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealers name and on the tag was the date of his graduation and the words paid in full.
How many times do we miss out on blessings because they are not packaged as we expected?
Author Unknown (Source:vk.com)

Source:https://vk.com/public138314547

Christian, Daily, Family and Society, Personal Musings, Random Thoughts

Answers through Prayer

Posted on August 4, 2019June 18, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.” 1 John 5:14

As the sermon today morning was being delivered, the thoughts of the numerous changes that have happened over the past one year ran through the mind. From a change of job to new residential area, children attending school and the like. At each point of change, there was a huge unrest. The question of what to decide, how to choose or whether the decision made was right or wrong made the mind, soul and thoughts restless. Through all this haziness were the thoughts of “why now ?” .

“Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.” Jeremiah 29:12

Source:https://vk.com/monahos

Those restless moments were settled when asking the Lord for answers. Each time a stumbling block was felt, looking back now; the Lord had always shown a way out. Though it had made no sense at that time; now that everything had fallen into place, these tough points don’t seem so bad anymore. One never knows till one prays and asks for guidance. There will always be an answer to our prayer.

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Source:https://vk.com/veruj

Everything I Needed
Author Unknown

I asked for strength and
God gave me difficulties to make me strong.

I asked for wisdom and
God gave me problems to solve.

I asked for prosperity and
God gave me brawn and brains to work.

I asked for courage and
God gave me dangers to overcome.

I asked for patience and
God placed me in situations where I was forced to wait.

I asked for love and
God gave me troubled people to help.

I asked for favors and
God gave me opportunities.

I received nothing I wanted
I received everything I needed.

My prayers have all been answered.

https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Christian, Daily, Personal Musings, Stories Around the World

Gentle Reminder

Posted on July 28, 2019May 21, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.” (Proverbs 8:17)

During the Christian life, one often longs for subtle signs during difficult times and moments that God is with us. What one often fails to realize is that what we perceive as a sign, mayn’t be so. In general there was a principle followed by my parents, “If at first it doesn’t feel just within, then it mayn’t be right.”

Source:https://vk.com/public138314547

During the perceived difficult situations, as promised through His Word and the Scriptures, the Lord is always beside His People. Though the voice mayn’t be loud or advice sounded with a blaring horn; certain distinct pointers and emotions may be felt, recalled to mind or highlighted from the situations around us. Then the innate sixth sense comes to life, reassuring one of the prayers for a way out and the hope for a brighter tomorrow; as one learns to believe.

“No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” (Acts 15:11)

Source:https://vk.com/public138314547

“The man whispered:
– Lord, talk to me.
And meadow grass sang. But the man did not hear. And then the man cried out:
– Lord, speak to me!
And thunder and lightning rolled across the sky. But the man did not hear. He looked round and prayed:
– Lord, let me see you.
And the stars shone brightly. But the man did not notice. He cried in despair:
– Touch me, Lord, and let me know that You are here.
And the Lord touched the man. But the man brushed a butterfly off his shoulder and went away …”

“Know therefore that the LORD your God, he is God, the faithful God, which keeps covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations.” (Deuteronomy 7:9)

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Christian, Daily, Family and Society, Musique, Reflections, Uncategorized

Through Uncertain Times

Posted on July 21, 2019June 15, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” Corrie Ten Boom

As I was stacking up the old newspapers for recycling; amidst them was last year’s calendar. With the accompanying monthly pictures being beautiful, I hadn’t discarded it but kept it aside to cut them out. With the pending task being accomplished, I leafed through the months and the tiny notes along the dates. “School reopening”, doctors’ appointment, “sports’ dates”, local functions aref ew of the many red or green inked circles that were scattered through the year.

“For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? God is my strong fortress, and he makes my way perfect.” 2 Samuel 22:33

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

Looking back, I felt blessed by His Grace and the countless ways He had kept watch over us and the daily happenings. At times, the feeling of wonder strikes as one realizes long after the difficult situations were over, how God had stood over our lives, guiding us with His Hand and by His Word. The relocation to a new place of work, new school year, family weddings and many more; all the big events within the family were felt big and difficult in those days; but went smooth largely due to His Grace and Blessings.

“I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.” Martin Luther

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

Many a time, some of the changes in life may be forced. An unforeseen work related transfer, opportunity to pursue higher studies, ill health and the like. Though decisions are made, they mayn’t work out. Yet once we place it in His Hands and be prepared to do things as they come; then things start falling into place and happening at the right time. Eventually when the obstacle had been crossed, one realizes the true magnificence of His Grace, His Power and His Love. Man being man mayn’t foresee many things. How much more better it would be ], when we put everything in His Hands, put in our efforts and await His Will to show us the way.

“And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:17

Source:https://vk.com/public138314547

“….I am one of those who are determined to go to the end.
I will not slow down the pace, I will not look back, but I will praise Christ.
I will not give up, do not shut up,
Do not weaken and do not burn.
I will not finish praying, with Christ I stand.

I am one of those who firmly decided to go to the end.
I can not stop, do not buy, do not hold.
And when He comes to pick up his own, he will recognize me,
Because I am one of those who have come to the end.

And if the salt loses its power that will replace it?
And lit a candle, do not put it under a vessel.
Here I am before You, use me for Your glory
On earth, Jesus, let Thy will be done

Olga Yatsenko ( few lines of Poetry/lyrics of “Till the End”, translated to English)

Source:https://vk.com/public138314547