A Month for Giving Thanks- Day 25

Day 25

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today I am thankful for a cozy, warm bed to crawl into after a day of eating and relaxing with family.  I think food is something we so easily take for granted, as well as a warm, comfortable place to sleep.  Thank you Lord for your provision of both, for the abundance I don't deserve.  Amen.

Goodnight sweet friends, near and far, may we all rest on a bed of thanksgiving tonight.

A Month for Giving Thanks- Day 24

Day 24

Today I am thankful for three beautiful children, who flock around their mama like little chicks, who consider me their favorite place.  I am thankful for their daily requests for special time, with just them.  It is my earnest prayer, that even in my blazing imperfections and failures, I will point them to their Father's love with my love for them.  Father, I thank you for being MY favorite place.  Thank you for your forgiveness and grace, your mercy that is new each morning.  Thank you for loving me, in all my sin and wretchedness, and washing me white as snow by the blood of Jesus!  Thank you for blessing and entrusting me with four young lives and a precious man to pour into and love.  Thank you for the ways you use each of them to shape and refine me and to draw me closer to you.  You are the giver of good gifts!  May I never stop praising Your name and thanking You for all that You are and all that You've done!  Amen

A Month for Giving Thanks- Day 23

Day 23

Today I am thankful to have this beautiful girl home with us for the next five days!  As much as she loves school, she's happy about a break too.  We have plans for lots of reading and snuggling and movies and walks as a family.  And of course, LOTS of eating!  This picture also happens to be taken when I was exactly 23 weeks.  I'm now 26, the weeks are flying!

A Month for Giving Thanks- Day 20, 21, and 22

Day 20, 21, and 22

Well, just when I thought I was getting better, bronchitis really settled in, so I'm combining the weekend's days too.  But I am so excited that it's Thanksgiving week!  I am so thankful that Travis will have six whole days off with us this week, I'm positively giddy!  We got all our Christmas decorations up inside on Saturday night while my mom was here this weekend.  It just makes the house so cozy, I love it.  I am thankful for eggnog and Christmas music, for stuffing and hot rolls and green bean casserole, for pies and homemade whiped cream, yes food is a gift and the enjoyment of it even moreso.  Happy Thanksgiving week to all!  May you have safe travels and warm times with family and friends this week.

A Month for Giving Thanks- Day 17, 18, and 19

Day 17, 18, and 19

Once again, an illness has kept me from keeping up with my daily thanksgiving, this time it was me who has been sick.  But in my efforts to be obedient to the call to "give thanks in all circumstances", I am truly thankful for an illness that reminds me how good it is to only be temporarily out of comission.  There are so many who struggle daily with pain and chronic or terminal illnesses who don't have that light at the end of the tunnel.  Thank you Father, that I was ONLY sick for a few days and that you are making me well again.  Thank you for a husband who takes care of us so well and steps up to the plate when mama is in bed.  And thank you for the humble reminder that chores can wait and that the meals I cook, or don't cook, do not define my worth.

Amen.

A Month for Giving Thanks- Day 16

Day 16

Today I am thankful for coffee dates on cold evenings with good friends, I'm looking forward to such an evening tonight.  There's just something about sipping a hot drink while bearing our souls and laughing together that is such medicine for woman's spirits.  May we never underestimate the importance of maintaining our female friendships.

A Month for Giving Thanks- Day 15

Day 15

I am thankful for the Holy Spirit, convicting me of sin, encouraging my heart, and enlightening me to the truth of God's Word.  I am thankful for God's mercy, that is new every morning, that I do not have to sink under the weight of a day's failures without the hope of complete forgiveness, renewal, and the promise of wisdom when I ask for it.  Thank you Father for saving me from the filth of my sin by the torturous death and glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ!  Your love for me inspires me to live a life that is pleasing to you and to share the good news with others.  Thank you for adopting me through my faith alone, so that every good work springs forth from gratitude, not stressful attempts at earning your favor, which no imperfect human can ever do on their own merit.  You are my everything, my love, my life, my Savior, and my friend.  May my life exist to praise your matchless name and may my joy be complete in you, as nothing else but knowing you can give me true joy.  Amen!

A Month for Giving Thanks- Day 12, 13, and 14

Days 12, 13, and 14

After a weekend of coughing and body aches and a baby boy with stomach flu, I am thankful today for a day of rest, for the calm after the storm.  Looking forward to still waters and green pastures again.

A Month for Giving Thanks- Day 11

Day 11

Today is Veteran's Day, so let me give my genuine thanks to all the service men and women who have, do, or will serve our country, not only by fighting for our freedom, but for the freedom and justice of those without a voice or defense.  God bless you and your families for your tremendous sacrifice, for laying down your life for others!  I will probably never know what it's like to have my husband on a year-long deployment, but I know so many heroic wifes who have.  So today, not only do I want to honor those serving, but also the families they leave behind.  May God sustain you and fill you with the joy and peace and safety that only He can provide while you are missing your loved ones.

A Month for Giving Thanks- Day 10

Day 10

As the cold air moves in, I am increasingly thankful for shelter, a home and roof to keep out the elements.  Not only does our home protect us, but it encircles us in arms of togetherness, cozy times on the couch or snuggled in beds.  It is a place where the aroma of cooking food and scented candles invite us in after we've been in the world, a place of comfort and love and relaxing.  A house is shelter, a home is something created and longed for.  Thank you Father for our home!