how i broke up with my hashtag...& now we're back on.

 Remember #ThankfulSweetness? It's a hashtag I began sometime last summer (you can view all the posts here. God began putting gratefulness so strongly on my heart at the time. I realized that all too often, I fall into wanting more, being discontent, and struggling with feeling down about what I don't have instead of practicing thankfulness to God for what I do have! So I started writing "thankful lists" - quickly jotting down about 4 simple things I was thankful for, snapping a picture of the list, and sharing it on my Twitter and Instagram accounts, inviting my friends to do the same. We all did it together, adding #ThankfulSweetness as the hashtag, and it became this really encouraging exercise in gratefulness. I loved scrolling through the tag randomly, a smile always spreading on my face as I read list after list of sweet little things you're all thankful for - some little, and some really quite big. Things like new babies, sweet tea, friends, even chocolate! I shared them once a week here in a blog post and it was truly encouraging. 

But then... I got super busy. The holidays hit. Life got crazy and I totally let it go. And I'm really sorry, you guys. The other night I sighed heavily, wishing for this and that, and wanting things to change. Feeling like what I have really isn't enough at all, and that everyone else has way more than me. Pity party city. And suddenly, I really felt the Lord nudging my heart - make a thankful list. I am enough. I will provide for all your needs. Look around at all you have.... And so I did. And friends, the list was 2 pages long... I couldn't stop writing. Realizing how absolutely blessed I truly am. 

Let's do it together, again. And I promise to be more faithful about spearheading this, because (for me at least) it meant alot and helped me keep my always straying heart and mind on Jesus, on blessings, and on what really matters in life. So join me! Write a list, take a picture of something (or someone!) you are thankful for, and add the hashtag. 

Every week, I'll share some of your precious lists and photos here at Sweetness Itself Blog. 

A few precious ones lately....

click to view larger

 "In everything give thanks; 

for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

-1 Thessalonians 5:18 

linking up with the precious Casey Wiegand