Welcome, come on in for a time of reflection together on how we use Words & what they actually mean in our daily life, wisely or otherwise while enjoying a cuppa.

But first let’s grab a cuppa, a treat & get comfy. I have an ol’ favourite a mug of Earl Grey tea with a delicious gf Lamington Ball my hubby brought home for me the other day, in fact he brought a box of five!

We’ll be sitting in our dining room today with it’s large glass sliding door/window looking out on our rather dry Autumn garden, as it’s quite chilly here on the east coast of Australia. Now we’re comfy let’s continue…

Words, words, words

Those who join me here often will be aware that my theme for this year also known as Words of the Year (WOTY) are;

‘The Sanctuary of Thanks-living.’

And what I’ve learnt & lived thus far since adopting these in 2026 is that there is a new depth of peace that I’m experiencing, a true Sanctuary, by living in a grateful attitude all day, every day. Even with the tiny things in daily living.

Not that I didn’t have appreciation & gratitude before this for I have always been very grateful for the blessings God bestows upon my family & I. However, I’m human & at times have a good ol’ whinge & grumble mainly to God & my husband!

However, what’s been really interesting is doing the following exercise that Lisa suggested on our last WOTY linky  in not only defining these words separately & looking at them more closely but looking at their Antonyms, which revealed a greater depth of meaning.

Let’s have a look at the following definitions with their antonyms;

Sanctuary is defined as;

• a refuge, haven & shelter
• an area of protection
• a Holy place

As opposed to it’s antonyms of;

• danger & endangerment
• trap, risk & defilement

And in defining Thanks-living;

• living in an attitude of gratitude
• living contentedness

As opposed to it’s antonyms;

• living in ungratefulness
• living discontented
• living in apathy & being critical

So if we describe my WOTY by their definitions it would read as;

‘Living in gratitude is a Holy Place of contentedness‘

Wow, how powerful is that statement! As opposed to it’s Antonym;

‘Living in discontentedness is a trap that risks defilement’

That Antonym exercise was indeed most sobering!

I’m reminded of the following scripture;

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will remain secure and rest in the shadow of the Almighty [whose power no enemy can withstand].” Psalm 91: 1 AMP

Words are Powerful 

And in the wise words of Charles Spurgeon;

“I think that it is a better thing than Thanksgiving: thanks-living.

How is this to be done?

By a general cheerfulness of manner,

by an obedience to the command of Him by whose mercy we live,

by a perpetual, constant delighting of ourselves in the Lord,

and by a submission of our desires to His will.” Amen!

May we come to live in the freedom of Thanks-living my friend, a Holy place of contentedness.

Until next time,

Jennifer

You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook

or in Prayer

© 2026 Jennifer M. Ross, All Rights Reserved. Photo by Skylar Knag www.pexels

Blog Party link ups