Heart Choices: Thankful Thursday ~ Special Moments -->

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Thankful Thursday ~ Special Moments



I'm so thankful for Thankful Thursday!  It provides me with an opportunity to look at my life through a different lens.  It's all too easy to find what's wrong and get annoyed by circumstances.  And learning to praise God in the midst of a storm can be challenging. 

Thankful Thursday helps to keep me on track.

I'm so thankful for the little children I get to work with all week.  They are such good medicine for me. The Lord knows I have a heart for the little ones.  He has blessed me with a job where I get to spend time with three year olds all day.  Seeing their smiling (and sometimes tearful faces) does wonders for my heart.

With all the stress in my life, I've not felt very attractive lately.   I look in the mirror and see the changes that worry can bring to a face.  But I'm slowly learning to surrender the worries to the Lord.

But, I must be honest with you.  I love makeup, skincare products and even highlights for my hair.  And lately I've not been able to do much of that.  I'm learning that I'm not going to look the same way I did when I was 30 or 40 or ...even 50 years old. 

Amar's feet

But how thankful I am for my first grade after school girls.  Three of them were combing their hair.  One of them asked me to help her.  She had a mirror and was smiling after observing the ponytail I put in her hair.  She turned the mirror towards me and I quickly put my hand up and said no, that's OK.  Amar looked at me with such a questioning look and simply said "You're beautiful Miss Debbie".  I could have cried and I gave her a hug and thanked her.

And then last evening I returned home from work.  I opened the door and my husband Greg was standing there simply looking at me.  He told me he'd spent a long time reading my blog. 

Greg

And guess what?  He was smiling!  He said he felt honored to be married to me and that reading my blog allowed him to really see another part of my heart.  I was so thrilled and happy.  I want my loved ones to truly hear my heart.  And that's what I do on Heart Choices. 

Even though this has been a very challenging week, I've been able to notice and appreciate those special moments that are a gift from the Lord.

And for that I'm so thankful.   How about you?  Can you try to look through a thankful lens to see your special moments?

I encourage you to visit Laurie of Women Taking A Stand for more Thankful Thursday posts.

Blessings and love,
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Debbie Petras
24 Comments
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24 comments:

  1. You ARE beautiful, Debbie! Inside and out. But, I do understand your feelings. I feel the same way every time I look in the mirror these days (I just turned 54 last month) but I also understand I'm the only one looking that close and scrutinzing every little flaw. Thank goodness for that! lol!

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  2. p.s. - a lot of people see my photos and think I'm blondish, but that's white hair mixed in with the brunette!

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  3. Awww, that's so sweet he was reading your blog, I bet that really blessed your heart. I'm so glad the little girl spoke just the words you needed to hear too.

    God is good.

    Have a blessed day!
    Bethany

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  4. Praise God for special moments like that indeed! I know I'd carry those thoughts and memories with me and pull them out whenever I'm feeling down. :)

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  5. "Special moments that are a gift from the Lord"...He always knows what we need!

    A very sweet and thankful post.

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  6. Beautiful, absolutely beautiful!! I SO loved this Debbie. And it's for sure the word 'beautiful' applies to you, that little girl was right on!

    In the words of the kids... YOU ROCK!!! :)

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  7. Debbie -
    Good for you for looking at life through a lens of gratitude.

    I tried looking at life through the lens of some traveling sales people this morning. That was fun! :)

    Happy thursday - Marsha

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  8. You my friend, are beautiful in so many ways, love you.

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  9. I have learned life is all about
    being thankful for what we've
    got-even how we look. I have a
    couple of years on you and all my
    hair is white now. White-not
    blond anymore. I think when a
    child speaks it's the honest
    truth so listen to them and
    listen to Him (and us) and know
    that you are beautiful and so
    loved!
    Love,
    Sandy :0)

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  10. What a beautiful TT post - and you are beautiful!
    Jessica
    http://www.bygracealone.net/2011/02/thankful-thursday-precious-moments.html

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  11. Love the idea that in a marriage there are always new treasures to discover in each other's hearts! That is so cool.

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  12. Another wonderful post, Debbie! This one brought tears to my eyes, not once, but twice! First, when Amar said you were beautiful...and then when Greg told you he saw your heart. Wow. Thanks for sharing!

    Blessings, Joan

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  13. You'll never hear more truthful words that those of a young child...they say just what the feel and see and know. I remember one time (years and years ago) a 3 year old looked and me and said, "Is there a baby still in your tummy?" Now the baby had been born 6 weeks earlier. haha I know her mother wanted to kill her, but thankfully at the time it really didn't bother me. We are always our own worse critics. I have seen your pictures and your a BEAUTIFUL woman, but more importantly you have a beautiful heart. I am glad your hubby read your blog. I think mine has been surprised when he has read mine too sometimes. I am happy you enjoy working with those precious little people. I have such a heart for them. HUGS, Debbie

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  14. Out of the mouths of babes.......what a sweet blessing!

    My husband reads each and every of my entries and has been so complimentary of them and says he looks forward to each of them. I would never have dreamed he would enjoy them.

    Sending sunshine and lollipops your way for a beautiful Friday! Loved this entry!

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  15. Dear Debbie,
    It's been a while since I could visit. . and I'm so glad that I could stop by tonight. This brought a smile to my face. :D You are such a blessing to me and a l-o-t of others out here too!! And I'm so thankful that your dear hubby took the opportunity to read the expressions of your heart, and see first-hand how much of a blessing our Lord is allowing you to be. :) What a special blessing. Having been a teacher of young children, "back in the day," I remember doing the little girls' hair..so I can imagine the scene that you described here. You are beautiful, inside and out. And the inner beauty just bubbles over so the outside world can see the beauty of our Lord within your heart. :)
    Sending a hug!
    Miss you, sis!
    Tam

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  16. Such a beautiful post. This really warms the heart!!!! Happy Valentine's day.

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  17. One thing I know about little kids - and that is that they are honest. And when they say that you are beautiful, that means you are! You are beautiful! And I think it is SO sweet of your husband to read your blog.

    Happy TT! =) *hugs*

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  18. This was such a beautiful post, honest and encouraging!!! Thank you.

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  19. You are always beautiful in the sight of God and others. My friend and I we talking this weekend about some of the issues in our lives. She said that the hardest thing for her to deal with now is the way she has changed physically. I also look in the mirror and see the elasticity of my skin so much looser. Dr Johnson told me that no amount of exercise or taking the right vitamins can help. He said this is a part of getting older. I told him I was not old, but he just laughed. I guess we all struggle with the same issues. Thanks for sharing your heart.
    Sue

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  20. I loved the blog and even all the comments - agree with them. But your question about looking through a different lens affected me a bit differently, although I surely struggle with what I'm seeing in the mirror too.
    My daughters and I took a little trip last Monday, just up to Prescott. Sometimes I wonder about the choices they make, sometimes I worry about how their lives are going. But Monday was just about being together, it was just the greatest day. We had the nicest time. Sometimes it is good to just look at each other through rose-colored glasses, if you will. Just enjoy each other and forget about the problems.

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  21. Debbie, You are truly a beautiful blessing to all those around you...there physically and also all of us here in this amazing blog world!

    Blessings & Aloha!
    Thinking of you and Have a wonderful, wonderful Valentine's Day!

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  22. Always inspired with your words and your heart.,,,


    Hope you will stop by...On Monday night I am giving away 4 FOUR copies of Ree Drummond's love story. It is fabulous...so I had to buy enough copies to share with my dear blog friends.
    one of the best reads I have read in a long time. Have a happy week....

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  23. Dear Debbie,

    Your words on this post just touched my heart. So honest.

    I was moved that that little girl said you're beautiful. Yes, you are. Your beautiful shines through did you know that?

    I know how it feels... there was a season that I never looked at myself in the mirror. Wrote about it in my very first blog post. God gave me a new name.

    How sweet that Greg spent so much time reading your blog. That is really something.

    God is doing something. And I know you are never going to give up, but just keep holding on, and believing.

    Much love, Debbie...
    Lidj

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  24. Hi Debbie...I don't think we have chatted since we went through our downsize back in May...you left such a beautiful and inspiring comment for me at that time. This post strikes a chord with me too as I have been experiencing some those same feelings this week. Looking in the dreaded mirror and not quite believing what I see. What a beautiful post...and it is the subject I am sharing testimony about with my Bible Study next week. Once again you have encouraged me at just the right time. i am adding your blog to my sidebar so I don't forget to stay in touch and check in with you!

    Blessings, Carrie

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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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