Ellen Chauvin | Soaked & Sprouting

Soaked in God's Word, Sprouting Seeds of Faith

  • Home
  • Welcome!
  • The Book: Longing to Belong
  • About Ellen
  • The Good News
  • Blog

A Picture (or two or three) of Thankfulness

November 24, 2025 by Ellen Leave a Comment

It’s the season to be thankful. But you’ve forgotten all that happened this year, and can’t be very specific with your gratitude. Has this ever happened to you? For me, it’s ALL. THE. TIME. Because of this, I’ve been putting together a Monthly Memories page, attaching it to the end of each month in my planner. I choose my favorite photos from the month to help me remember how much I have to be thankful for. 

Imagine how much fun it was to look back at the whole year! A year of memories, most good, some sad, but always a reason to be thankful. 

Since I haven’t posted a blog in a while, I thought I’d share some of my favorite moments from the year.

The sneaux in January was such a gift! We had almost nine inches! In south Louisiana!! I am incredibly thankful for this opportunity to play and watch the snow fall. Several months later, we had a surprise hailstorm. Watching from the front porch, I was amazed at how large the hail was: like wren eggs.In early spring, I spent a weekend with women from my church. We fellowshipped, had scrumptious food, and worshipped by the creek. I even kayaked for the first (and maybe last) time! I was asked to be one of the speakers at a women’s event at church, where I shared my testimony of God’s faithfulness through the book-writing and publishing process. What a joy to tell of His presence and guidance throughout my writing! I’m still overwhelmed with gratefulness at how He never failed me.

We celebrated twenty-nine years of marriage and spent time with friends and family for our birthdays. We are thankful for each year the Lord gives us.

I attended my first-ever Literary Festival and had a book table. I’m always happy to celebrate my book, Longing to Belong: Filling the Longings in Our Hearts with the Hope of Home.

We celebrated the life of my oldest half-brother, recognizing that, along with all the good, hard times come, too. I’m thankful to have had him in my life.

We enjoyed God’s glorious gift of nature and toured the Ark Encounter. It was fantastic! I highly recommend it.

We survived my husband’s 50th high school reunion (I must say, we’ve aged marvelously!) as well as a kitchen update 😬.

And finally, we drove up to the Blue Ridge Mountains with my brother and sister-in-law, watching the sunset from the top of a mountain.

Now it’s your turn. Pull out your pictures and memories from the year. Remember to thank God for all He has given you. Oh, and let me know what your favorite memory is!

  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest

Discontent with my Discontentment

November 5, 2020 by Ellen Leave a Comment

Sometimes I struggle with being content. There are certain circumstances in my life that I don’t particularly like. At this time, I can’t change them. I’m held captive in the here and now. Struggling to free my tied hands. Chafing to do something that will bring about the change I feel I need. Frustrated. Discontent.

One day I realized I was discontent with my discontentment. I was unhappy with my unhappiness. Something had to change. And it had to be me. Have you ever been there?

I knew I needed to get to the root of my dissatisfaction. Oh, the list! It looked like my endless childhood Christmas lists. For the sake of time and space, I will only share three:

Wants/Desires
There is something that I have determined in my heart to have…and I want it now. My heart longs for it. Scripture tells me that temptation comes from my desires, which lure me away (James 1:14 NLT). From what? From my intimate walk with God.

What I desire is not necessarily sinful, but the greed and selfishness that grow while trying to finagle my destiny sure are. When I allow this sinful nature to blossom in me, I take my eyes off Christ, who alone will fill all my needs and desires. I allow this desire to become my idol.

Comparison
All my friends have it! I want it too! Why can’t I be like them? In writing, I’ve learned to call this yardsticking. Comparing my chapter one to her book series. Never mind that she’s worked twice as long and hard than I have.

Jesus Himself warns against this. Peter was concerned about what was happening with another disciple. Jesus tells him in John 21:22, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!” (NASB)

My job isn’t to look around and see where everyone else is, my job is to follow Christ.

Forgetfulness
In my state of discontent, I forget to be thankful for what I do have, how far I’ve come. Hebrews 13:5 says be content with what you have. And James 1:17 reminds me that “every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father.” I need to remember to be thankful!

What’s your satisfaction level? Are your desires running amok? Or are you content with what you have? Join me on the blog this month. I’ll be talking contentment! Next week, we will begin looking at ways to be content.

Grace be with you,

 

 

 

This post originally appeared in 2014.

  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest

Connect with Ellen

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS

Welcome!

Torrential rains had been pelting us for weeks. With the rains came weeds growing tall in the flower beds. But I noticed other new growth, too. It wasn’t colorful flowers. It was teeny, tiny little oak trees! Squirrels had been working hard, burying food for later. The rains had soaked and softened … Read More...

Recent Posts:

  • Bathrooms and Jesus
  • 14 Ways to Love Your Husband, Part 2
  • 14 Ways to Love Your Husband, Part 1

Categories:

Archives:

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.

To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2026 Ellen Chauvin | Design & Development by MRM