Double Your Happiness!

Living Our November Days

If you’re exercising, walking, or your hands are busy at the kitchen counter, consider listening to this post. My new friend Sharon from the conference at Hermon Baptist Church made me aware that the ability to listen to online content is crucial for people who have visual challenges, so I’m indebted to her for that awareness and am including the audio embed just for her.❤️

I never get tired of hearing my grandkids call me “Bam.” For a woman who never expected to marry or be a mum, the gift of eight (EIGHT!) grandkids just never gets old. This month, I’ve had the fun of spending time with all of them, and even though they wear me out, I’ll never get over the feeling of wonder that we can connect and have fun together.

G.K. Chesterton puts it mathematically: “Gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.”

Wonder asks,
“Why is God so generous with me?”
“How could this glorious thing have been given on top of so many other blessings?”

The practice of wonder is a gateway to some very profitable wondering. Sadly, we are prone to wondering “up,” comparing our own lot with people who have “more”—more possessions, more influence, more opportunity. In 21st-century North America, we’ve forgotten how to wonder “down.” Here’s the difference:

Wondering up asks, “Why doesn’t my dishwasher have Bluetooth capability like hers?
Wondering down asks, “Why do I get to have hot water with the turn of a faucet when so many do not?”

Wondering up leads to discontentment.
Wondering down leads to gratitude.

If you’re finding your Thanksgiving is falling a little flat this year, why not spend some time in quiet wonder over all the little gifts that lie at the foundation of your life: the people, the comforts, the taken-for-granted blessings that never cross your mind but would rock your world if they ceased to be. Looking at our blessings through eyes of wonder doubles our happiness and leads to gratitude.

Wishing you a blessed and wonder-ful Thanksgiving!

November Book Briefs

As usual, if any of these Book Briefs catch your eye and you want more information, you can find all my book reviews over on the blog. Just click the button below.

My Conversation with Sue Donaldson

This was so much fun because Sue and I are friends—even though we’ve never been in the same zip code together. We talked about legacy, about waiting for answers to our prayers, chronic illness, and how not to catastrophize every little thought that comes into our brains. I’d love to hear your thoughts after you’ve listened (or watched!). Catch every episode of Welcome Heart: Living a Legacy Life wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

December Looks Busy!

I’ll be on the road a lot in December, so I’ve been grateful for a quiet November.

On December 3, I’ll be sharing a devotional at the Christmas gathering of York Bible Church’s “Golden Gals”! I can’t wait to meet this group of women!

The Church at Spruce Creek in Kittery, Maine, has invited me to return for their Christmas tea, so I’m looking forward to seeing those friends again on December 6th.

The Christmas Candle Light Dessert at West Rockport Baptist Church is always a lovely evening, and I’m grateful to be sharing the devotional there on December 8th.

Then, in the morning, I’ll be gathering with my friends at Tenants Harbor Baptist women’s Bible study to bring a devotional to their Christmas party.

Every opportunity to be in a room full of women with open Bibles is a gift. If you or someone you know is wondering, “Who will we get for our women’s event?” click the button to start the conversation.

Thank you for reading faithfully and for clicking quietly on the little ❤️heart❤️ or the “restack” button because each one makes a difference. I’m glad you’re here. Thank you for being the kind of people who keep pressing into the mysteries of our faith—not merely for answers but for more of HIM!

Holding You in the Light,

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