It's been a while. Not for lack of trying or inspiration; simply because the words wouldn't flow. But here I am. My annual Thankful blog.
If you had asked me at the beginning of this year if I would have anything to be thankful for, I would've probably said my kids and that's it. Good thing that God is truly great! My list is certainly bigger than 6 girls.
Here it is, my Thankful list.
-God. Without Him, I never would've survived the year(s) I've had. They've been hard, fraught with worry and despair. I. Have. Survived. And will continue to do so with His strength.
-Matt. I am thankful for him....thankful for his patience as we still figure out this married thing. (yes, it's been 15 years....still figuring it out) Thankful we can have fun while we do!
-Girls. 6...8 including grandgirls! These wonderful girls! So blessed to be able to watch their lives unfold; sometimes with joy, sometimes with sorrow...always with God's hand. Those sweet little grandgirls of ours are amazing...looking forward to more someday!
-Skype! Without it, we'd never talk to our sweet girl in Germany!
-Sons-in-law. One is a good father to those sweet little ones, the other is a co-adventurer with our far away girl. So thankful they are striving to be the men God created them to be.
-Rides home from college. Without those, we'd never see our U of I girl! She graduates this year...so proud of the woman she is becoming.
-Family. (including friends) You know this has been a hard road this past year (or 2) and without you guys praying....well, things would've been different. Thank you...you mean so much to me.
-Church Family. A body of believers who believe in us!
-Church Camp. Where S got to grow!
-Murphy and Whisper. And Jake...who now lives with my parents. Our lives would be boring without our fur babies.
-A borrowed vehicle. Whew! That was a wonderful blessing for our sweet C.
-Breath. Every day new.
There is so much more to find joy in, to be thankful for. I am so thankful that God is in the "business" of bringing hope to the hopeless. So thankful that His love for me doesn't change. That He is always writing my story even when I'm trying to break out of the margins. I'm so thankful for all the small moments that trumped the really bad icky big moments. So thankful that even in my absolute sorrow, He saw me and held me.
It's so important to know that wherever you are, someone else has been. Our lives are not always the shiny faces we put on. I encourage you to reach out. Someone else may have gone through the same thing, felt the same thing or knows exactly how you feel. Plus, the King of Kings is always available. His desire is for you to know Him; to be His. His love doesn't fail, there aren't stipulations to Him loving you.
I am so thankful for that love. That unending love and the gift of grace.
Happy Thanksgiving, friends. May you day be blessed, your table be full and your joy overflowing.
