Thankful

I am thankful.

For a husband that is strong and is faithful and is funny and is nice to people outside our house....and inside our house.  He does dishes.  Washes dirty younguns. Folds laundry.  Teaches science lessons.  Whatever I need.  He is always serving and loving me.  I'm so thankful.

I am thankful.

For my children.  That overflow my heart with love.  I adore them.  Each and every one.  The ones that I stay up late praying for that in their self righteousness they don't miss their need for a Savior and the ones I wake up panic stricken for and praying that in their lawlessness they don't miss the their need for a Savior.  I'm thankful that I get to be their mom.  I love being a mom to obedient children that long to please and to prodigal children that long to be independent.  I love it so much.  I am also totally humbled by it.  The job is too big.  It drives me continually to my Savior.  I can't do it.  I don't know how and I am pretty sure most of what I am doing is probably wrong....but I'm so glad and so thankful that God chose me to do it.  I wouldn't trade it for the world!

I am thankful.

That I am not alone.  I have a Savior who goes before me.  I have God's word that guides me.  I have sweet friends that hold me accountable.  I have a Mama that prays for me.  I have a husband who walks with me.  I have a pack of younguns that are stalking me.  I am not alone and I am so thankful.

I am thankful.

For my church.  I love it.  I am thankful God led us here.  I am thankful that I am groaning in my sanctification (it isn't easy....its work!).  I'm thankful that I care about that.  I'm thankful that this is expected of me. 

I am thankful.

I never thought about idols too much.  Certainly not in the daily sense.  Now I do.  I am thankful for that.  I am always manufacturing something or someone to worship.  I'm thankful I am beginning to recognize these and destroy them.

I am thankful.

That I have lost weight.  I did not know how unhappy and how out of touch I was.  I am changed and I love living.  Not just doing and being and going....but really living life.

I am thankful.

For simple pleasures of life too: Hot tea on a chilly morning.  Sweet stories bestowed as lavish gifts upon a child.  Warm sand and salty beach breezes that simply remembering can buoy this Summer Girls mood on a cold, dreary, winter day.  Hugs.  Blankets.  Praise songs.  A good book.  A nap.


Sometimes I am even thankful for the hard stuff.
Like for dyslexia.  God uses it to teach perseverance.  Without the struggle I wouldn't taste her accomplishment.  For speech problems.  God uses it to teach understanding.  He teaches ears to listen.  Really. Really listen.  For unruly little boys.  God uses them to teach grace.   He uses them to reveal the sin hidden in my self-righteous heart.  So grateful for unruly little boys.  So. So. Grateful.  Sometimes I'm even thankful for grandmas.  That forget.  That don't know that they have eaten.  That need too much.  That repeat everything...that are broken and needy......learning to be thankful for grandmas. 

I am thankful

That sometimes just wearing your sons team colors is enough.  That occasionally a batch of Reese peanut butter cookies will make my mans day bright.  That often a gentle word and pile of grace will turn away wrath and defuse anger.  And when it doesn't I'm thankful for Jesus. 

What he gave is enough.  Every. single. time. 

I'm thankful that I don't have to have the answer.  I'm thankful that he saves those that don't behave.  I don't have to do it right. I want too but I can't.   I'm thankful that I'm allowed to mess up.  I'm thankful that he doesn't.  I'm thankful that he rescued me and he can rescue anyone he chooses.

I'm so thankful!
Blessed beyond measure!