Christmas Miracles

This isn't a book review. I haven't read the book show here, Christmas Miracles, by Cecil Murphey and Marley Gibson. No, but I was almost published in it. I submitted my story of a Christmas miracle to this book, and received the response that it would be included with the other stories of people who experienced miracles at Christmas.

I was overjoyed! To be published in a REAL book would be so amazing, and something with Cecil Murphey's name attached to it, unbelievable. Soon thereafter I received my contract and signed and returned it, eagerly awaiting the book's publication. But then somethings happened. "We regret to inform you...." Seems the publisher thought the book was too long. Six stories had to be cut. Six. One of them mine.

The disappointment was pretty big. No publication, no name in print. It stung. Time has passed, and my wound has healed, but to see the book in print does recreate the longing. But I made a connection with Cecil Murphey and have had a chance to email with him a few times. He is really nice, and I'm blessed by the connection. I've submitted my story to another venue (Chicken Soup for the Soul) and I can hope it will be accepted there.

So I have a choice. I can decide to be miserable that my story wasn't published, or I be thankful for the connections made and hope for another chance to be published.

What disappointments are facing you this Christmas? What will you decide? To be miserable, or to find something to be thankful for, and to look ahead with hope. If we could all change our thinking to be thankful and hopeful, well wouldn't that be the biggest Christmas miracle of all?

Romans 5:3-5 -- Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

This devotional will be printed over at Eternity Cafe tomorrow as part of the 40 Days of Focus, to focus on the 40 days before Christmas. This is to prepare our hearts for the celebration of Jesus' birth, as well as prepare our hearts for His triumphant return. Why not head over and visit?

Thankful Thursday - Thanksgiving Edition

5 things I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving

1. Spending Thanksgiving with my in-laws who I adore. I am blessed with a God-fearing mother-in-law who blesses my heart.

2. Food to eat, and a plenty of it.

3. Safe travels to and from my in-laws home.

4. Freedom of religion - you can't think about Thanksgiving without remember the Piligrams who created it, and how they came to America for that freedom. This website has some interesting facts, including how the Piligrams fasted and prayed over their dry and dying crops. Then the rains came, and to celebrate the Governor created the first real Thanksgiving.

5. The Christmas Season is beginning! To me, Thanksgiving is the foreshadowing of Christmas, you know it will soon be here. I love the CHristmas season, the time of love and joy and peace, and to think that it is the birthday of my Savior. This is my favorite time of year, and I am thankful for it!

May God bless you this Thanksgiving Day! Click the button below to see what others are thankful for today, or leave a comment by clicking "Chatty Comments" below.

Thanksgiving Meme

1. How will you be spending your Thanksgiving this year?
We are going to Iowa to visit my in-laws. I love my inlaws, so I'm looking forward to seeing them.

2. Will you be cooking or are you just an eater?
Usually I am a cooker, but because the inlaws live in assisted living, I'll be eating in the cafeteria with them.

3. Do you watch the parade every year or football!!
The kids and I love the parade, and after we eat, hubby watches football.

4. Whats your favorite float?
I like the floats that have the singers on them, because they're always lip syncing horribly, and that amuses me. My favorite part of the parade is the dancers from the Broadway shows.

5. Dark meat or white meat? White
6. Leg or breast? (this question seems remarkable similar to #5) breast

7. What is your favorite dish besides the turkey?
My dad's dressing is the best, my sweet potato casserole rocks, and who can resist dessert?

8. Homemade cranberry sauce or cranberry sauce from the can?
Homemade. Does ANYONE actually prefer the canned?

9. Do you decorate for Christmas on Thanksgiving day?
I usually pull everything down from the attic on Thanksgiving Day, and start decorating the day after and spend the whole weekend doing it. Since we'll be out of town, I'm alittle stressed about starting decorating a weekend later. But it will all come together.

10. What are some special family traditions?
I don't really think my family is big on Thanksgiving. Because my dad has Thanksgiving with his wife's familiy, and my brother used to live out of town, and I vary between thanksgiving at home or at Iowa, and my sister ET always invites any friends who have no place to go, Thanksgiving is more hodge-podge for us. I've had Thanksgiving at my house with "strangers" who are friends of my sisters, so it's always interesting! I'll miss all "my people" while I'm in Iowa with "John's people" but I always have Christmas here in Virginia. That's where the special family traditions are for me.

11. Pumpkin pie or pecan? Chocolate (duh!)

12. What is your favorite thing to do with the leftovers?
Eat them! (is this a trick question?)

13. How long will you spend eating your thanksgiving meal?
Probably 40 minutes...but hours visiting after the meal.

14. Are you worried about putting on weight this Thanksgiving?
Not worried, but I expect to put on weight over the holidays and take it off in the new year. It's the American way!

15. What do you normally eat at Thanksgiving?
Turkey, dressing (NOT stuffing), Sweet potato casserole, green beans, rolls & pie.

16. What will you be thankful for this Thanksgiving?
Spending time with my in-laws, who I only get to see once or twice a year.

17. What is your best Thanksgiving memory?
My oldest Thanksgiving memory is sitting out on the screened porch of my Grammy's house at the kids table and eating Thanksgiving. She had SO MUCH food, and never sat down but served everyone the whole time. She was an awesome cook. I don't have a best memory, but being my hubby & kids is the best Thanksgiving.

18. Do you give cards or presents at Thanksgiving?
Usually neither, although sometimes I'll send a couple of cards.

19. Are you planning on going shopping the day after Thanksgiving?
NO! I avoid shopping Thanksgiving weekend. I hate the crowds. I like to shop during the week while the kids are at school, and most people are at work. I usually love decorating all weekend, but this year, I'll be enjoying time relaxing at the inlaws, and will be rested and ready to tackle everything upon our return home...I hope!

20. Will you be waking up early to hit the sales?
See #19 above. ;-)

Psalm 69:30 -- I will praise God's name in song and glorify him
with thanksgiving.