Today is Black Friday. Do you know what that means?? If you think it means that this is the biggest shopping day of the year that puts retailers firmly in the black, you would be wrong. It really means that I only have one month left to finish my holiday knitting!!! I am not certain but it might be time to PANIC!

Think I will stop blogging and go knit!

I hope each of you in the US had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day. Today is the day to draw the names for the Unexpected Blessings contest. Thank you to all who shared their unexpected blessings and a special thank you to each of you who linked to my blog. Your names were entered into a random list generator and the winners are:

Elizabeth
Aunt Kathy
Phoenix Anew
Katie O and
Jossee

You have one week to send your snail mail address to tabitha@tabithasheart.com so I can mail your prizes. I do not have email addresses to contact you privately so this is the only notice you will receive that you have won. If you haven’t contacted me by November 30th, another winner will be chosen from the randomized list.

Thank you again to everyone who shared their unexpected blessings with me. God indeed blesses us so richly even though it is sometimes hard to see those blessings. There will be a new contest coming soon so check back often. And if you were interested in entering the Bible quiz contest on Tabitha’s Heart & Hands you have until midnight on Saturday, November 24th to enter. Winning this contest does not exclude you from winning the other.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,- Ephesians 1:2

My hope is build on nothing less…
These are the opening words of a beautiful hymn by Edward Mote and William Bradbury. Growing up we jokingly sang the song with slightly different lyrics. In our version made a gentle poke at preachers who may not spend enough time studying on their own. The words were “My sermon’s built on nothing less than Scofield’s notes and Broadman Press”. I always think of this little joke whenever we sing Edward Mote’s much better original. Apparently, it made an impression on my friend Ed, one of song leaders for our congregation. I shared this story with him a few weeks ago and he had lead this song every time he has been the song leader this month. I nearly laughed out loud the first time he lead it. One day I am going to remember to ask Ed if he is trying to see if I will sing the wrong lyrics.

For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth. – Psalm 71:5

Tomorrow in the US, we will celebrate Thanksgiving. Tonight, I would like to share some of the things for which I am thankful.

• for the rain that we are currently receiving.
• for the three of my hens that survived the attack by the neighbors dogs.
• for my home, my family, my church and my friends
• for the things that I have learned in the past year
• for the gift of laughter shared with family and friends.
• for a measure of good health. Even with various my aches and pains, I am still healthier than most.
• for all the necessities of life that have been so richly supplied
• for my internet friends who allow me to blab on and on without telling me that I am monumentally boring and who gently encourage me to continue writing
• and for a life overflowing with the bountiful blessings of God

For these and so many other things, I am truly thankful. God has blessed my life richly. I would like to share one of my favorite psalms. I always think of it at this time of year. Thank you Mrs. Allen for making me memorize it- I still remember.

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

This week there was a tragic loss in a nearby town. A handsome, vibrant, 17 year old boy chose to end his life rather than face whatever tomorrow had in store. This sort of news is never easy to hear but it is especially lamentable when the life cut short was one so full of promise. He came from a well-respected and financial secure family. He was popular, smart and seemed to have everything going for him. Yet today he is no longer with us. How my heart aches for his family.

This shocking event has turned my thoughts to the brevity of life. We truly do not know when life will end for any of us. We all hope for a long and happy life but so often we see life end abruptly, unexpectedly. Yet we are constantly reminded in the Bible that life is short. James 4:14 tells us:

“For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”

Sobering words, I know. But we truly do not know how many days the Lord will bless us with. Christ frequently reminds us that we do not know when we will have to face eternity. Some may meet death, while others may live to see Christ’s return. Events like the tragic death of a young person remind us how suddenly life can end. We must strive to live every single day as if it were our last. Remember to serve God every day, don’t forget to let those you love know it, study your Bible and pray every day. For we do not know when we will be standing before our Creator and Judge.

Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” Mark 13:33-37