Sleeping With Bread

Today's Sleeping With Bread is about Autumn. Although we have no fall color here yet, except the occasional brown and lots of green still, I am very grateful for the cooler weather!!!

During college, I decided that cool weather was God's way of greeting me every morning, as I walked to breakfast. I really appreciate the seasons. I'm kind of a season-dork. Every seasons brings a new wreath on my door, new candles around my house, and new icons/statues on my mantel.

I think the Church has seen that "to everything there is a season" and follows God's creation throughout the Church year.

Sleeping With Bread

Today I am grateful for recovery, in whatever form it may come. Whether it comes from therapy, counseling, medication, twelve step programs, or a direct miracle from God, recovery is always a gift. Each and every step, no matter how small, is a gift from God.

Sleeping With Bread

Today, I am grateful for God's answering prayers. The Lord answers prayers in many different ways. Sometimes He says, "yes," sometimes, He says "no" and sometimes He says, "wait." We should pray, as Jesus did--"Thy will be done" and feel gratitude for God's ordering of our lives.

Sleeping With Bread

Today, I am grateful for all those who came before me who sacrificed for me.

Sacrificial love is a concept that I think, few have today. We, as a society, are so hell-bent on fulfilling ourselves, that we barely notice the other person until, often, it is too late, and they are gone.

The virtue of "longsuffering", a fruit of the Spirit, is one that is often hard won and difficult. To love sacrificially means going through the pain because of that love. It means, often, not doing something, not pointing your life in a direction that you might want it to go in, because, to do so, would not be for the good of the other.

True love is sacrificial. True love is nothing more than desiring the true and complete good for the other, no matter where that might leave you.

True Love was shown on the cross.

Sleeping With Bread

Its that time again! Its time for the Sleeping With Bread post. Today, I am thankful for changes in weather. I am thankful for the onset of Autumn weather with its coolness and its motivating qualities.

In the Byzantine tradition, the New Year starts in the fall, which I think, is fitting. When the weather gets cooler, more can get done, at least by those of us plagued by constant sweating otherwise.

I am thankful for the fall--for the changes in color, changes in temperature, and changes in daily rhythm.

Sleeping With Bread

Today I am thankful for my faith. It is easy, when you are raised in a particular faith, to take it for granted. I am so happy I found my way back to the Church. I am also thankful for the Internet, where I can find information and network with other and learn about my faith.

Sleeping With Bread

Today is Labor Day. I am thankful for my job. It is perfect for me. Just enough sameness to feel safe. Just enough difference to keep me interested. It is on a beautiful campus with interesting people.

I am also thankful for my husband's job. While quite a drive from our house, it is in a field that he has always been interested and he is learning a great deal about himself as he grows on the job. He has an incredible work ethic, for which I am very grateful.

I am thankful to live in a free country where we have opportunity to grow and share our talents and resources with each other.

Sleeping with Bread

Time for another Sleeping with Bread post. Today, I am grateful for the beautiful weather. After Saturday's unbearable humidity, it rained with a vengeance on Saturday evening, and today is a perfect day for starting my job on campus. Just beautiful.

Heaven will have low humidity and lots of sunshine, I think.

With puppies.

Yeah.

Sleeping With Bread

Hi! Its time for my Sleeping with Bread post. Actually, it was time for my Sleeping with Bread post yesterday.

I think, today, I am most grateful for life. For everyday existing that can be taken away at a moment's notice.

If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?

So do not worry and say, 'What are we to eat?' or 'What are we to drink?' or 'What are we to wear?'All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.

But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.

~Matthew 6:30-33