Heart Choices: Thankful Thursday ~ Looking Back -->

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Thankful Thursday ~ Looking Back



It's Thankful Thursday and Laurie of Women Taking A Stand is our host this week. Laurie asked us a question.

What do you see when you look back over this past year?

What a perfect question to ask since tomorrow begins a new year; 2010.

I've heard it said not to look back but only forward.

While I don't think we should dwell on the past, I learn much by looking back. It provides me with a time to reflect and assess:

  • What mistakes did I make ...so I won't repeat them?
  • What lessons did I learn?
  • What am I grateful and thankful for from 2009?

Since this is Thankful Thursday, I'd like to focus on ...being thankful.

Although 2009 was a very difficult year for me, I've much for which I can be thankful. So, here's my thankful list (in no particular order):

  • Family and friends who have walked alongside me when I felt like I had nothing to give
  • My church family and pastor who have reached out to me in ways I would never have imagined
  • Blogging is high on my list too. I have rediscovered my voice and have found writing to be so therapeutic.
  • My blogging friends are such a joy and encouragement to me. I never knew I could feel such love for people I never met in person but I do.
  • The love I feel for my husband.
  • I'm learning so much in the field of social media through the work I'm doing with my husband.
  • Spending so much time online, I've reconnected with many cousins and family members throughout the world.
  • I've been able to pray for so many families in need and this is such a privilege.
  • I've been introduced to so many new songs through Then Sings My Soul Saturday.
  • I'm on the lookout for things to be thankful for as I know I will write a thankful Thursday post.
  • I can find encouragement and accountability to make healthier lifestyle choices as I write my Fitness Friday posts.

I could go on and on but I'll stop here. See, when you focus your mind on looking back to remember what you can be thankful for ...it changes your perspective.

May today be a day of reflection. Tomorrow is a new day and a new year; a day to look forward.

I'm so thankful that the Lord's mercies are new every morning and that ...He is faithful.

Happy New Year,


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Debbie Petras
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28 comments:

  1. Hi Debbie,

    Thank God for blessing you through the year. Thank God that He is with us through all the changing scenes in life. Thank God that we are More Than Conquerors through Him Who loved us!

    Thanks for all your prayers and encouragements. I am so glad to meet you and many wonderful friends through blogging. I have created a "More Than Conquerors Award" and I like to share with you. Please come over and receive it and feel free to pass it on to your friends who also are More Than Conquerors! Take care and Blessed New Year!

    Hugs,
    Nancie

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  2. Debbie, as usual I can soo identify with your feelings here. I too chose to focus on the things that the Lord has blessed me with through this last year. And I thank Him soo much for you! You have blessed me and encouraged me and entertained me through your blog like you can't imagine. May this next year bring you God's abundant love and peace. And may we all grow much closer to Him in 2010! HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Love and hugs, Debbie

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  3. Happy New Year from Australia! It is 2010 here now and I'm about to go to sleep. This is a wonderful post. I just posted and wrote how 2009 was a tough year, I do have a lot to be thankful for. When I look back at what I endured to where I am now...God is so amazing and giving. I'm looking forward to this week with the Living Intentionally posts. Again...Happy New Year!

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  4. Good morning, Debbie.

    You're right, looking back to be thankful can change your whole perspective.

    Thanks for sharing your blessings of 2009.

    Hugs,
    Bethany

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  5. Amen! It is all about perspective and keeping our focus on the Lord. No matter what happens there are always things to be thankful. Have a blessed new year!

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  6. Debbie,
    I love your list and relate to so many of those exact things. We do have much to be thankful for. Thanks for posting it out there for us to agree with and thank God for. YOU are a blessing!
    Lisa

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  7. Debbie,

    I love this post and I too feel the same way - wanting to look back at all that I learned this year, to see where I grew and the areas I still need to give completely to God.

    I love watching you grow and being encouraged by your thankful heart despite the trials before you!

    God loves a thankful heart and you shine one!

    Happy New Year precious friend - love you and blessed to have this opportunity to share life with you!

    Jill

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  8. Debbie, you have been such an encouragement to me and to many others throughout the year. I know that life has handed you lemons, but you made a sweet tasting lemonade out of it...

    You are right - when we look for things to be thankful for, it changes out perspective greatly. May we always have our eyes fixed on the thankful things in life, especially His faithfulness.

    Love & peace,
    Iris

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  9. I wish you dear Debbie by heart the best for the year 2010! Happy new year!

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  10. and Debbie... you are certainly on my list of 'friends I have never met, but feel I know, and who are such an encouragement'...Thank you!

    Rich blessings in the New Year!

    Love,

    Sonja

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  11. Beautiful, Debbie! Loved this..."when you focus your mind on looking back to remember what you can be thankful for ...it changes your perspective." Amen...does it ever! It's one of the best ways to see the Lord's hand working in your life.....

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  12. Wonderful post, full of thanks for many blessings! As always... I've said this before...Your words are full of encouragement and life!

    Thank you and although I am not able to come by as often as when I started blogging...I do think of you, dear friend.

    Happy New Year or in Hawaiian:
    Hau'oli Makahiki Hou! (sounds like "How..oh-lee...Mah-kah...hee-kee...Ho!" ...your Hawaiian pronunciation lesson for the day :o)

    Blessings & Aloha!

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  13. I am thankful for many things too, including making such good friends through blogging. You are a blessing and I'm so glad God crossed our paths!

    Much love and blessings to you and yours for 2010!

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  14. Debbie....Happy TT and a very blessed Happy New Year to you and yours! Thank you for having such a grateful heart and blessing us with your words in 2009. (((hugs))) LAURIE

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  15. Debbie,
    You have such a blessed list of things to be thankful for. I agree about blogging giving us a voice. I am blessed with your words of wisdom. I am so glad that we got to meet. I wish you happiness and peace in the New Year.

    God Bless You!
    Yoli

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  16. Thanks for stopping over from Teresa's blog!! I love your blog - always trying to experiment with different fitness regimes. I will definitely be coming back!!

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  17. Dear Debbie,
    May you feel lifted and cared for every single day in this New Year.
    You know God need you and love you just the way you are.
    His intentions for you are the best, but here we see through a glass darkly.
    We have to put our confidence in that we are seen and loved fully, like we once shall be allowed to
    see the whole picture as well.
    Oh,how it feels safe to put my hand in the hand of the man who calmed the water.
    I know you are doing the same.
    From Felisol

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  18. I agree, it changes your perspective. Can't be depressed and grateful at the same time.

    Good post Debbie!

    Happy New Year.

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  19. I loved this Thankful Thursday post. You are a blessing! Thank you for your prayers for our family this year. We are so blessed by you. Happy New Year. May the Lord continue to bless you and keep you!

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  20. I agree that writing is therapeutic. Sometimes I think my blog - and the blogging community - help to keep me sane!!

    I don't know why I am so focused on the fact that it is a NEW year this year. Maybe because it's my first full year as a married woman? I'm about to finish my masters? Regardless - this is the year of endless possibilities!!

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  21. It's good to look back and say goodbye to the old (and not repeat the bad stuff!) Growth is not always easy; I'm thankful for the encouragement and friendships I've made on on-line. So thankful for you, Debbie. You're an uplifting friend. Blessings to you and your DH this coming year!

    Hugs,
    Mary

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  22. This was soo good!!! Just exactly what I needed to read today...I love the being thankful thoughts. Sometimes when I'm down, I have to remember to CHOOSE to be thankful...taking stock of our lives/looking back is so good for changing a gloomy spirit into a thankful one!!

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  23. I'm thankful for a new day, a new year, a new chance.

    Happy New Year!

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  24. Praise the LORD for a New Year dear sister. I'm so glad to be back on blogs and visiting slowly. I've missed you and your heart of sharing so transparently. You know I love that most about you.

    Prepare for a GREAT year!

    GOD IS FAITHFUL and He loves you. I love you.

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  25. Wow - what a great list. I'm so glad I've had the privilege to know, pray for, and grow to love you this year. And I'm also thankful for the growth I've wittnessed in you as I've "watched" you process through some trying difficulties.

    You have faithfully submitted to God and given Him the glory for all He has done - and I can't wait to see what He does for, in, through, and with you (and your husband) in this coming year.

    With much love to you and much thankfulness for you...
    Jennifer

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  26. Thankfulness does change our perspective. I need to spend more time with a thankful spirit. God is good, and his goodness has been readily apparent to me and my family in the last year of living.

    Thank you for your kind words and for investing in my life and words in some small way. It buoys me along and keeps me to the pen, even on days when I'd rather give it all a rest!

    Blessings and peace to you in the new year~elaine

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  27. 'Today is a reflection', for tomorrow a new direction!

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I love to read your comments! I know you have something to share so join in the conversation. And thank you for taking the time.

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