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!

A Month for Giving Thanks- Day 9

 Day 9

I am exactly 24 weeks, 2 days pregnant today.  Six and half years ago, my precious nephew Tayden was born at this exact gestation, almost four months premature, weighing only a little over a pound.  He was not much bigger than a pencil, as you can see in the picture below.  Today, I am thankful for Tayden, that God chose to spare and protect his life through modern medicine and His matchless healing power!  I am thankful that Autumn Mae, at this very same size, is still safe inside my womb.  And I pray she will stay there until at least 37 weeks.

 

Tayden, you are a miracle and such a blessing to all who know you!  Auntie Sarah loves you more than words and can't wait to watch you grow into the man God created you to be!

A Month for Giving Thanks- Day 8

Day 8

Thank you Lord for naps.  They are few and far between these days, but when they come, what a sweet blessing.  My pregnant body longs for them these days and today, I got one!  I laid down right away when Sawyer and Chloe went down for their naps, so I got a full hour and a half, bliss:).

A Month for Giving Thanks- Day 7

Day 7

Today I am thankful for free food!  Noodles and Co. had an awesome deal today where your kids turn in their Halloween candy to be sent to troops overseas and in exchange, they get a free dinner.  So the kids and I had a lovely dinner for just $4.25!  We cleaned our bowls and left with full bellies, I didn't have to cook, and we didn't break the bank, mama likie!  And it was an evening proof positive that a mother with three young children and one in the oven can have a peaceful dinner at a restaurant with her children without fighting or fit throwing, praising the Lord (and my children) for that one big time!

A Month for Giving Thanks- Day 6

Day 6

It really struck me today how fortunate we are to live in the same state with all our siblings and both sets of parents.  That will soon change when my brother and his wife move out of state at the end of this month, but even so, they will only be about 8 hours away.  It really is all about perspective and attitude isn't it?  There have been times when I've envied the fact that my sister and mom live in the same town with each other while I'm two hours away, but I always have to remind myself how very blessed I am to ONLY be two hours away from them.  I get to see them about once a month, sometimes more often, and I know there are so many out there, military families especially, who have known the sting of very long separations from loved ones accross very far distances.  There's also the fact that there are no guarantees we will always live so close to each other, so today I'm choosing to cherish the blessing of now.  Thank you father for the blessing of family and for the undeserved gift of having them so close and getting to see them so often.  Amen