treasure |ˈtreZHər| noun a very valuable object. • a person whom the speaker loves or who is valued for the assistance they can give: Her family was a treasure to her.

Happy Thanksgiving weekend from the Harrison’s!  

I hope you all enjoyed spending time with your friends and family as you relaxed, watched the Cowboys play and probably ate way too much Thanksgiving food (I know it wasn’t just me!).  

I’m writing this with a full heart today (and let’s be honest—a full stomach too *grin*). My kids are playing happily with their cousins, and Field is watching the Cowboys game with our family in the living room. I had to sneak away for a moment to thank God for days like this.

It can be so easy for us to get distracted, especially during the holidays, when everything is striving for our attention. It can be easy to focus our minds on the to-do lists we have to get done, our end of the year goals, holiday parties, festivities and everything else we “have” to get done.

But I think, especially during the holidays, we need to take little moments like I have today—to just sit and be grateful for what God has given to us.

“In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

I’m speaking at SoupMobile’s Ladies Tea at the Ritz in two weeks, and I have been working on my speech this week. I was finding it so difficult to write anything down because I had no idea what I would have to say to encourage individuals who have lost everything. SoupMobile is an organization that is providing food, shelter and resources for the homeless in the Dallas Fort Worth area. The ladies I will be speaking to have experienced a depth of pain and loss that I have never experienced myself. As I prayed and asked God what in the world I would have to share with these women, and why He would ask me to be the one to speak—I felt His peace as I began to write about his unending faithfulness.

“I know what it is to be in need, and know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13

You see, I have not experienced homelessness myself, and I pray that I never will. But I have experienced God’s faithful provision through times of uncertainty and hopelessness. I consider myself blessed to have lived in seasons of both lack and abundance—and have learned to rely on God’s faithfulness through them both. No matter how much money is in your bank account, or where you lay your head at night—God promises to take care of our needs, and I hold Him to that promise.

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your Heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you FAR MORE VALUABLE to Him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? …your Heavenly Father knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:25-33

No matter what situation we find ourselves in, there will always be someone we can compare our lives to who has it “better” or “worse” than we do. I choose to focus instead on having a grateful heart, thankful for all God has given to me—and discovering how I can be a good steward of those blessings.

We often “treasure” things that are really not worth our time and attention. Money, beauty, fame and status will fade, but that’s why we are called to store up our “treasure” in heaven. Choose to spend your time and energy focusing on things that will last like your kids, your family, your friends, ministering to others, encouraging someone who is discouraged, or volunteering for an organization like SoupMobile. Thank God for your “true treasures” today, and be encouraged this holiday season—He is faithful!

XO –

Sabrina    

P.S: If you are finding it difficult to be thankful this season, start by being thankful for something small. Make a list of 3 good things in your life and thank God for those things. Just watch how your attitude, mind and heart will change! Write me a Prayer Request if you have a need, and I will gladly stand with you in prayer!