Resting and Thankfulness

“Bless the Lord O my soul and forget not all His benefits.” (Psalm 103:1)

I had the privilege of co-hosting a Harvest Tea this past weekend. Jan and I shared in the planning and preparation with the purpose of getting acquainted with our neighbors.  Eleven women gathered for an afternoon of autumn savories, sweets, spice flavored tea and conversation. It was great to put faces and names with addresses.  In the process, women learned some facts about tea for the first time as I gave a short presentation. Two follow-up emails of thanks from neighbors also expressed that they were planning to take their teapots out of the cupboard! We left feeling enriched that we had made some new connections and had an opportunity to rest on a Sunday afternoon.

As the holiday season approaches, I sense that there will be less and less time to rest as we move from one activity to another. Perhaps we can determine to take a different approach this year. It’s unrealistic to expect to have an afternoon tea party every day, but can we practice being restful instead of rest-less? November is a good place to start as we practice resting in thankfulness.

T:  Take time during each day to reflect and be thankful. Number a sheet of paper from 1 to 30. Make a list of one thing you are thankful for each day. Vonda Skelton (www.vondaskelton.com) issued this challenge last year and asked us to name five things. Maybe you want to accept her challenge. Focus on thanksgiving rather than complaining and restlessness. Gratitude is much more restful.

E:  Enjoy the moments and scents of the season. Capture and hold on to joy, even if circumstances do not indicate happiness. Simmer pot-pourri or light a scented candle and let the fragrance permeate your home. Stop and pause to be intentionally refreshed and refueled. Hurry is a waste of the gift of the present. Irritation is a waste of emotional energy.

A: Address the valuable and the important rather than the commercial and the unnecessary. Be proactive and seek to simplify. Determine what activities matter and what can be eliminated or changed to be less complex. Look at each day as a gift of grace.

Restfulness vs. restlessness? Thankfulness vs. irritation? Complexity vs. simplicity? They seem like fairly obvious choices. Go ahead, brew a cup of tea and find a sheet of paper. Sip and rest while you number from 1 to 30 as you begin to be intentionally thankful.

Reflection: Read Psalms 100 and 103 to focus on praise and thanksgiving.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

I recall tasting these delicious muffins at a mother-daughter brunch that Bobbi and her mother Shirley hosted many years ago. I am thankful for a friendship that has lasted over 30 years.

1 2/3 cups flour

1 cup granulated sugar

1 Tbsp. pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp. baking soda

¼ tsp. baking powder

¼ tsp. salt

½ cup butter, melted

2 eggs

1 cup plain pumpkin

1 cup chocolate chips

Grease muffin cups or use paper baking cups. Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Break eggs into another bowl; add pumpkin and butter and whisk together until well blended. Stir in chocolate chips and pour over dry ingredients. Fold together with rubber spatula just until ingredients are moistened.

Scoop batter evenly into muffin cups. Bake 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees or until puffed and spring to the touch.