More often than I should, I think about all of the things I don't have. I think about how small our house is, the Master's degree I'm lacking, the lack of $ to do and buy the things I want...etc. What I DON'T do enough is practice having a grateful heart for all of the generous blessings that have been bestowed upon me. So in this blog, in honor of Thanksgiving week, I want to reflect on all of the beautiful and wonderful ways I have been so richly blessed.
JESUS, THANK YOU FOR...
* My son, Luke. Thank you for giving me a healthy, beautiful child. Thank you for his little heart. Thank you for trusting me to care for him and to raise him to be a strong, brave man. My life has changed so much since the first time I met him. He had my heart with the first beat of his. Until my last breath, I will love him, fight for him, and cherish him. Thank you, Lord, so much for Luke.
* My husband, Michael. Thank you for bringing Michael into my life. Thank you for blessing me with a man with such a beautiful heart. Thank you for our marriage, I pray that it will be grounded in you. Thank you for giving us the ability to overcome obstacles together, and to accept and love each other for who we really are- (even if we are snoring cover hogs :D). Thank you for all the laughter in our marriage, it makes our life together so fun!
* My family and friends. I am lumping these two together, because friends are just family you choose. Thank you for each and every person in my life that I call a friend or family member. Thank you for bringing each person into my life intentionally. Thank you for these people who love Michael, Luke, and Myself. Thank you for this strong network that holds my hand when I'm scared, wipes my tears when I'm sad, speaks truth to me when I am surrounded by lies, and who celebrates with me in times of joy. Thank you for letting the bonds between us be stronger than the conflicts we have with one another. Thank you for all of them!
* Nature & Beauty. Thank you for the beauty of the Earth. Thank you for the connection between my soul and your creation. Thank you for changing leaves, snowy mountain tops, deep azure waters, and quiet, clear nights. Thank you for the way each aspect of nature whispers to my heart and leaves me in awe of its creator.
* Life and purpose. Thank you Jesus for life. Thank you for the breath in our lungs and the vigor in our bodies. Thank you for speaking us into being. Thank you for giving each of us a purpose and a direction. Thank you for the call you have placed on my life and for never letting me settle for anything else. Thank you for the talents and gifts you have given me that will allow me to make a difference for you and in others' lives. Thank you for never giving up on me. Thank you for the mistakes and failures in my life, and for allowing me to learn and grow from them.
* Love, and all things good. Thank you Lord, for all things good. Thank you for light to counter darkness, for love that overcomes fear, for laughter that transforms tears, and for the sheer, perfect miracle that is hope. Hope, no matter how small, is big enough to stand against the evils in this world, and it paves the way for love to vanquish them.
* YOU. Most of all, I am thankful for you, Jesus. None of the previous things would be here if it weren't for you. Thank you for loving me unwaveringly, even when I don't love myself. Thank you for looking into all of my darkness, selfishness, and imperfections, and choosing to die for me anyway. I don't always have it right, in fact, I think I have it wrong way more than I have it right most of the time! But still, there you are. You brought me out of all the muck I was in. You were my friend when I had no one, my strength to get out of bed in the morning, when I couldn't. You have healed the deep wounds of my heart, you have restored my joy. Thank you. Because of you, I will never, ever be the same. I know that doesn't shine through who I am as much as I want it to, but thank you for having patience with this work in progress! I love you. Thank you for everything.
