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Brenda Bradford Ottinger

Encouraging Women to Live Rooted in the Sacred

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The Year We Ate Thanksgiving Dinner on a Card Table

incourage-thanksgiving

As if serving Thanksgiving Pig instead of Thanksgiving Turkey wasn’t breaking with tradition enough, this particular year we’d managed to take Thanksgiving sacrilege to a whole new level.

But isn’t it just like God to tuck divine lessons into the most ordinary of life? Who knew a simple card table would become sacred ground?

By the way, lest you get the wrong idea…this was no big, fancy, plastic table, à la Target. Nope, this was just your standard vinyl-topped, four-chair table from the corner discount store.

And, bless the soul who came to supper last, ending up with the “special seat.” (Read: lawn chair tightly squeezed into a corner sliver of the table.)

Classy, yes?

That November, we had a house for sale in one state while renting in another. And I’ll give you three guesses which house held the furniture.

            Click to join me over at over at (in)Courage to finish the story…

 

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~ Blessed to link up today with these lovely ladies: Coffee For Your Heart, Sitting Among Friends , #DreamTogether  , RaRa Linkup   ~

 

 

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Comments

  1. Bev @ Walking Well With God says

    November 23, 2016 at 8:06 am

    Brenda,
    Your post at (in)courage is absolutely beautiful!! It was one that I so needed to hear! I hope it’s okay, but I guided all my readers over to your specific post at (in)courage. I thought it was one they shouldn’t miss…a big old heaping helping of grace alongside the sweet potatoes.
    Your writing truly touches the soul.
    Love you sweet friend,
    Bev xoxo

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      November 23, 2016 at 9:55 am

      Oh, Bev. How sweet are you? Thank you for always being a sweet source of support, my friend. Happy, happy Thanksgiving to you. xoxo

      Reply
  2. Marva | SunSparkleShine says

    November 23, 2016 at 2:08 pm

    What a beautiful post, Brenda. You reminded me that God is more than enough for me, no matter how my circumstances might appear.
    Blessings to you and yours for the holidays.
    Marva | SunSparkleShine recently posted…Thanks in all circumstances — are you sure God?My Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      November 28, 2016 at 8:39 am

      Yes, more than enough. Sometimes we have to engage our faith to see that though, don’t we? 🙂 Thanks for coming by and sharing, Marva. Happy Holidays. 😀

      Reply
  3. Linda Stoll says

    November 23, 2016 at 7:40 pm

    Oh, it’s good to see you writing again … or did I miss some posts along the way?! No matter, I wish you peace and grace during this holiday week.
    Linda Stoll recently posted…On Living With Abounding GratitudeMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      November 28, 2016 at 8:41 am

      Great to see you, too, Linda. <3 Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving.
      Sweet holiday blessings to you, friend. *hug*

      Reply
  4. Michele Morin says

    November 28, 2016 at 8:47 am

    Heading over to incourage for the rest of the blessing!
    Michele Morin recently posted…Grateful Parents: Grateful KidsMy Profile

    Reply
  5. Betsy de Cruz says

    November 29, 2016 at 12:04 pm

    Brenda, Your post over at (in)Courage was so good, friend. He is in the business of redeeming our days of affliction, indeed. Love this. 🙂

    You made me smile and breathe grace in deep. You’re such a talented writer, Brenda!

    Reply
  6. Lux G. says

    December 1, 2016 at 2:19 am

    It’s really amazing how God works in our lives. And how He uses the ordinary to bring out the best in us.
    Happy Thanksgiving (belated) to you.
    Lux G. recently posted…Zaful Coupon Birthday GiveawayMy Profile

    Reply
  7. Debbie Putman says

    November 22, 2017 at 8:24 am

    Brenda, Your post at (in)courage filled me with joy! I’ve been stuck in the uns for years; that’s why I named my blog Uncharted Water! And I’ve slowly and painfully learned the uns are the place where I best rely on God instead of myself. God’s goodness shines through when I trust Him in the midst of the uns. Happy Thanksgiving!

    Reply

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This time last year, I was 11 days into what was s This time last year, I was 11 days into what was supposed to be a one-month sugar fast. After going a little sideways on the holiday sugar the previous month, I decided to re-center & nix the sugar for January 2020.
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Fast forward to January 2021, over 12 months later, and I’m sill sugar free.
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Never did  I intend to make this a lifestyle, it just sort of chose me. When I got to February & saw all the valentine candy, knowing my affinity for those dang chewy cinnamon and cherry hearts, it only seemed right to continue my fast another month.
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But, in rolled March being all tempting with her candies of Easter, so I continued through April.
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But, a funny thing happened on the way to May. By May, I didn’t really want sugar anymore. (Mostly.)
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So, here I am in January 2021 still sugar-free. I’ve lost 34 pounds, and feel so much better.
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Friend, who do you want to be this time next year? Whatever that goal is that feels big & daunting, I’m here to tell you that—you can do it!
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What will the “you of January 2022” be thankful to the “you of today” for doing?
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Show up for her! Change is rarely comfortable & easy, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it, or that you’re not worthy of it, my friend.
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We can get so busy with life & family & ministry that we forget to show up for ourselves. It’s not selfish to remember your goals & dreams, friend. Allow those seeds God planted to instinctively guide you as you baby-step your way to success.
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And, if you’ve already fallen off the wagon with your new-year goals, no worries! It’s okay! Brush yourself off, give yourself grace, and begin anew! You’ll be glad you did this time next year!
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You’ve got this, friend; I believe in you! 💗
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#showup #youvegotthis #newyeargoals #goals #resolutions #change #2021 #newyearnewyou #mindovermatter #showupforyourself #nevertoolatetostart #believe #faith #babysteps #ministry #influence #leadership #hope #amwritjng #writersofinstagram #allthingsarepossible #withgod #believeinyourself #trustgod #onedayatatime
Sone seasons of our stories are so challenging, th Sone seasons of our stories are so challenging, they invest themselves into who we become, leaving a clear before and after in their dust.
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We hold these moments close, protective of their scars, as they nestle deep within our personalities, affecting the way we view ourselves and others.
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Whatever the hurts of our lives, our meandering minds aren’t shy about chasing illusions, wondering who we would have been had certain chapters been absent from our stories.
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How easily we question whether our insecurities and struggles might be exchanged for confidence & calm had suffering not inked itself upon our yesterdays.
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But friend, time and again Scripture reveals the Lord’s delight in using broken people, shaping what “would have been” into something full of purpose and abundance.
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Nothing is beyond His redeeming reach , sweet friend.
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Our sorrows aren’t too great for God to find His glory in them.
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— Read the full devotion & join the conversation over at proverbs31.org today! Meet you there, friend! 💗
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#proverbs31ministries #butgod #beautyforashes #sorrow #pain #struggle #brokenness #scars #rejection #tragedy #purpose #hope #grace #glory #redemption #compassion #wisdom #wouldacouldashoulda #imperfect #godsglory #amwriting #ministry #leadership #influence #bible #hope #peace #comfort
Such a lovely study for a fresh year of adventure Such a lovely study for a fresh year of adventure with God.
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The Lord has done amazing work in my life in the area of fear, but even still, it continues to be a stronghold in my life at times. What about you, friend?
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I encourage you to check out this beautiful new study by @katymccown . Together May we step into 2021 armed with tools & truth to smile without fear!
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Praying for you, sweet friend. 💗
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#bookrelease #readersofinstagram #fear #faith #biblestudy #womenintheword #smile #trust #study #quiettime #shesmileswithoutfear #ministry #leadership #influence #bible #god #beautyforashes #reader #amreading #faithfulgod #nofear #nofearnewyear
As the sun sets on 2020, my mind can’t help but As the sun sets on 2020, my mind can’t help but wander to all the loved ones we walked into this year with, who we’ll sadly not walk out with.
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Praying for all who are grieving today. May God meet us in 2021 with joy in unexpected places, and heal our hearts as only He can.
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Happy New Year, friend. I’m so thankful for you! May His favor rest upon your home in 2021. 🥰
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