Giving Thanks is Good

I've had a few people ask me if I was going to be hosting another Giving Thanks Challenge again this year.  After spending some time thinking and praying about it, and receiving some needed encouragement, I've decided that I will.

Below is the introductory post I wrote last year.  It both describes the challenge as well as gives instructions for linking up.  I'm not going to try and reinvent the wheel since things will stay the same regarding the challenge again this year.

"In honor of the month of November, which boasts a most wonderful holiday, I'd like to encourage all of you to join me for the 4th 5th Annual Giving Thanks Challenge! All you have to do is post one thing you're thankful for each day somewhere on your blog. It doesn't even have to be an actual thought-out post. Just start making a list on your sidebar if you want - somewhere you can see it every day to encourage an attitude of thankfulness.

Feel like joining me? Here's what to do:

Grab the button. Copy the code under the button in my sidebar and paste it into an HTML Java Script element on your own sidebar to let all your friends know you're joining in. Who knows - maybe a few friends will join you!

Write a short post on your own blog. This is a great way to encourage your readers to begin as well - to develop a more thankful heart! When the post is up, copy its URL or Permalink (in Blogger, click the post title or the time stamp).

Sign in with Mr. Linky. Sometime Sunday Tuesday, I will announce the beginning of the challenge, and all you'll have to do is add your name, and paste the URL you copied from your own blog to the link-a-doo thing. Then I can visit your blog now and then throughout the month of November to see how your list is growing. (Hands down, this is the funnest part of the whole month for me - reading your lists and making some great new friends!)

If you decide to create a list on your sidebar, that's great! If you're feeling ambitious and want to write a short post each day (or every few days), that's awesome! I would suggest giving each blog post the same label, so at any point a visitor could read all your 2010 2011 Giving Thanks Challenge posts easily, instead of having to scroll through your archives, searching for them.

Also, it doesn't matter if you start now or join in sometime during the month. It's never too late to acknowledge God's great love for you and His continuing faithfulness to you! If you're like me, you WANT to be thankful ALL THE TIME, but let's face it - it just doesn't happen. More often than not I need to be purposeful and intentional, and work at making it a part of my daily life for it to become a habit. Again. Accountability helps though, so let's do it together, okay? Are you in?

Happy November!"

So, will you join me this month?  I need to be reminded as much as anyone this year how God continues to "work all things together for good" in my life.  I also desire to be more intentional in thanking Him for specific small things - not just the big ones, like my husband, my family, my church, etc.  This challenge will be good for me in more ways than one, and I pray it will be for you, too.

I've added this year's button to my sidebar - feel free to grab it and give your own readers a little time to plan and prepare, just in case they'd like to join you!  I'll have the "here-we-go" post up Tuesday so you can link up then.  Feel free to email me if you have any questions!