October’s Blessings and Reminders

Posted on November 1, 2024 by

26 Comments

Here we are for another monthly reflection of the blessings and lessons learned in our lives.

One thing I was reminded of in October is the blessing we have in technology. Some of us had texting issues this month. We couldn’t text certain people, resulting in a red “Not Delivered” error.

My friend Lorraine and I resorted to emailing each other. Under normal circumstances, Lorraine faithfully texts me every morning to say hello and wish me a good day. What a gift! When the phone issues were fixed and we were able to text again, I was overjoyed.

I am happy to say that I never lost the ability to text my family, which is especially important right now. It’s a good way to check in, make sure everyone is okay, and keep one another updated.

The Lord reminded me to be thankful for this small convenience that was unheard of twenty-five years ago. We have so much at our fingertips these days. Yet people are less content. We forget to look around for the little blessings that God sends us.

Ephesians 5:20 reminds us to always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This past month I was also reminded that we have so many blessings in our lives, even in the midst of worries and discouragement. Each day will hold good things and not-so-good things. When we have big concerns we are dealing with, our focus tends to stay on the negative. It can be difficult to see the beauty around us. We need to put extra effort into looking for the good. This doesn’t mean we are being unrealistic about the battles we are facing. It means we are choosing faith over fear. It means we are remembering that God is in control and God is still good.

“God’s goodness and faithfulness are foundational to our victory in battle. Somehow, we need to settle it in our hearts that God is a profoundly good Father and that He will never forsake us.” – Susie Larson

Numerous events that happened recently reminded me of the importance of people. We each have family and friends in our lives, but do we take them for granted? God reminded me how much the people in our lives matter. Taking the time to appreciate them will help bring joy to both their hearts and ours.

So with that being said, I want to extend a big thank you to each of you! I appreciate you being here, your friendship, and your prayers. You truly are a gift!

Now perhaps you are wondering why I’m posting on Friday instead of Saturday. Since today is November 1st, and since in November we celebrate Thanksgiving in the US, I wanted to encourage the idea of approaching the next thirty days with gratitude.

I won’t be able to post every day like I have done in some prior years. But I aim to keep my posts related to gratitude over the next few weeks.

I feel that often times we live our lives at a fast pace and we forget to cling to Him like we should. Life’s concerns take our focus, and then we get stressed and frustrated. We can walk in His peace and we can find gratitude, even in the midst of difficulties. But we have to make an effort to lean on Him. I’m so glad Jesus is always there, He wants to help us, and He never gives up on us.

If you plan to embrace gratitude (or anything in particular) this month, I’d love to hear what it is. And I would love to hear how your October went.

Maybe not the best picture, with the trees and moss. But you can see how red the sun and sky were. October 26, 2024

© 2018-2024 Bridget A. Thomas. All rights reserved.

Category: Seeking God

26 Comments on “October’s Blessings and Reminders”

    • Thank you for sharing that verse, Pauline. That is a good one. It can be so difficult to hold onto that peace at times. But Jesus offers us peace, despite the trials we face. What comfort it is to know that He is greater than anything we face in this world.

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  2. Such good reminders Bridget, I think we can take people and even technology for granted. The ease with which we can contact people and have access to so much through tech is amazing. And nothing replaces people in our lives.
    And to look for the good in challenging times, I find that hard, but choosing faith over fear- yes to that.
    Looking forward to your posts focused on gratitude this month.

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    • It definitely is hard to look for the good in challenging times. And the enemy takes advantage of those situations. We have to choose to keep our eyes on the Lord. I’m so thankful He is always there to lean on! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Manu ♥️

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  3. I so enjoy reading your looking back for the month. I love November too. I get right into the being grateful every day. Just the fact that GOD has opened my eyes to HIM is an amazing GRACE to be ever thankful for. Thankful this morning for HIM bringing us home safely (I don’t like to fly). And so very grateful for this new neighborhood we have moved to. People and all the doggies I see just uplifts me.

    And of course, thankful for this Christian Blogging Community. Thank you for visiting Heavensreef. Aren’t comments from others wonderful? Enjoy your day with a grateful heart!!

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  4. Being grateful for the small things like email with friends 🙂
    We tend to think in terms of big things and small things but there are no big things, nothing too big, for God

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    • A very good point! Things that seem impossible to us are so simple to the One and Only Almighty God. I want to remember that and have greater faith when asking God to move the mountains.

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  5. I decided it was time to stop sticking my head in the sand and pretend my weight wasn’t a problem. I stepped on the scale and discovered I weighed less than I thought. I’m actually at what I’ve been for years. Not bad for not keeping track. Now, I’m working to be more mindful, eat less junk, watching out for food dyes. My starting point: have to start somewhere. 🙂 Looking forward to being more grateful.

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    • That’s a great surprise! I have heard that sometimes when people stop stressing over it, that’s when they see results. However, being more mindful is always a good way to go. Sometimes small changes are all we need. I pray you find a good balance. Thank you, Judy. I’m looking forward to being more grateful too. 😅🍂🍁🙏

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  6. Texting is very convenient! It’s a quick way to check on others. I went to a couple of family events in October that I am thankful for. One cousin turned 50 and had a party. The other cousin was installed as co-pastor at her church. I’m looking forward to your gratitude posts. A coworker sent out an email today with 30 verses related to being thankful so I plan to read those as well each day. I am thankful for you too, as well as your prayers and I always appreciate your post!

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    • I’m glad to hear you had some family events in October. They both sound wonderful. It’s funny you mention the 30 verses. I got something similar in an emailed newsletter from author Becky Harling. I thought that was such a great idea. Thank you for reminding me about that. I hope we can find ways to draw closer to the Lord this month, as we keep our eyes open for His goodness. Thank you for your kind words, my friend! I feel the same way. And thank you for your prayers as well. 🥰

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  7. I love your positive, yet realistic outlook, Bridget. It’s true, the times when it is hardest to look for the good are the moments when we most need to find it.
    Imagine one hundred, or even fifty years ago, people wrote snail mail letters to each other and then waited—days or weeks for the response!
    I have two wrist bracelets I sometimes wear. One says, “Find the good,” and the other says “ One day at a time.”
    Blessings to you and yours!

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    • I agree – when it’s the most difficult to find the good, that is when we need it the most. Such a good point about those who lived 50 or 100 years ago. We have so much compared to them. Sometimes I wonder what those people would think if they could peek into our world.
      Oooh I like both of the sayings on those bracelets. Excellent reminders. Thank you, David. Blessings to you and yours too!

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  10. Amen 🙏🤗

    Thank you for sharing such a beautiful reminder about gratitude and the importance of focusing on the good amidst challenges. As 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 reminds us, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.“

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  11. Personally, I love the pic. I think the trees and moss add character. The sun is amazing. I am just now realizing September and October were such a blur. I’m grateful for your posts and look forward to the month of Thanksgiving on your blog.
    It’s funny how texting has become such a fixture of our conversations. I’ve been wondering about how my comments wind up in spam sometimes. I wonder if it has to do with where I share my comment—here on the WP Reader vs directly on your site? Anyways, there’s a lot there that I just deposited in one comment. 😂 Feel free to join David and I in our collaborative conversations. Alan K is joining in I believe. We would love to have your perspective as well. Hope you have a great Sunday! Blessings.

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    • Whatever you did this time – you didn’t go to spam. Lol 🤷‍♀️ Thank you for the kind words about the pic. God’s artwork is unrivaled. 😁 I feel like the majority of this year has been a blur. 🤦🏼‍♀️ I saw your nudge on your post about relationships. Thank you. I will try to work that into a post. I hope you have a great Sunday too. Blessings to you and your wife 🤗

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© 2018-2025 Bridget A. Thomas. All rights reserved.