Category Archives: Thankful

Thinking in Threes #thankfulthree

It is easy to get caught up in complaining, in whining about things that don’t go my way. Circumstances that didn’t suit me, details that threw me off.This is the point in other posts where I might go on to list examples to illustrate my point. But to do that here would be counterproductive.

No. Beginning today, I will try to look for three positive things about each day. Maybe it was three things I loved, or three things I was excited about. Perhaps it was something small that made me smile, or something big that made me proud.

While I won’t share them on the blog every day, I will try to check in periodically with my three things for the day.

I challenge you to find {at least} three things every single day! Feel free to share them via Facebook, Twitter, a comment here, or on your blog. In social media, use the hashtag #thankfulthree .

He is not here – He is alive!

5:35.That’s what time I woke this morning.

We stayed up late last night. Saturday was a nice day for Familie Dove. Time in the city, time with friends, a cookout on the landlord’s rooftop patio, and another episode of the Bible miniseries, plus a good bit of baking to prepare for Easter breakfast and a beach cookout with friends later today. And once the boys were tucked in, Zack and I watched an episode of one of our current favorite shows on Netflix.

That usually means a morning where I drag myself out of bed. But I woke up early. The sky was already light, with faint streaks of purple. I rubbed my eyes, and realized it was Easter morning.

And my mind wandered to the thought of two ladies who awoke early on this morning so many years ago. They got up and walked to the garden, to the tomb where the man they loved so dearly had been laid just two days earlier. I imagine it all still seemed unreal. The events of that long Friday were likely still running fresh through their minds. The images probably haunted their dreams, and their waking thoughts as well. He was surely God’s Son, and yet, He was gone.

Maybe they walked in silence, unable to put all they had seen into words. Or perhaps they were sharing favorite stories about their beloved Jesus.

They were likely reeling from it all. The Gospel of Matthew tells us they had been standing there as the stone had been rolled over the face of the tomb. As the guards had been placed there, to ensure no one stole His body to falsely claim His resurrection.

I wonder if there was uncertainty as they walked that morning. They had wanted to visit earlier, but the Sabbath was the day before, so law dictated that their task must wait until Sunday. But were they concerned that the guards might not even allow them to enter the tomb?

So many emotions, so much grief and pain.

And yet, the emotional trauma they experienced on Friday was nothing compared to what they were walking into. Their heartache would soon be replaced by happiness, their grief overrun by gladness.

The morning took away their mourning, and in its place gave them reason to rejoice!

Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint. Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. (Matthew 28:1-6 NLT)

Death has been defeated! Thank you, God. Because of your Son, we have hope.  Thank you, Jesus. You didn’t deserve it, but You took our place.

The Newest Little Boy Dove

Look at those cheeks, and those sweet little fingers
– so precious!

He’s here!

We are so excited for Josh & Savannah (Zack’s brother & his wife). Their first child, a healthy and beautiful baby boy, was born March 5 at 3:33 PM EST.

It’s hard to believe Zack’s baby brother is a daddy now!

Everyone is doing well, and we are so thankful for this new little life!

I prayed for this child, and God gave me what I asked for.
And now I have dedicated him to God. He’s dedicated to God for life.
1 Samuel 1:27-28
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Denne gutten var det jeg ba om, og Herren har gitt meg det jeg ba ham om.
Nå gir jeg ham tilbake til Herren for hele hans levetid. Han skal tilhøre Herren.
Første Samuelsbok 1.27-28