The truth of the matter is....
- This day light's savings thing has got to stop. Seriously, whoever thought of this brilliant idea apparently didn't have children. I am pretty sure we could do away with it and everyone would be just fine. Sheesh.
- Buying a new car is an all consuming, practically part-time job...at least for us it is. I am happy to report that we have the brand spankin new car in the driveway and returned the ugly rental to it's rightful place tonight. Case closed. Almost. We need to go over to the insurance company tomorrow and sign some papers. In another town. At dinnertime. Then we will done. Finally.
- I really love my VW minivan, I really do. And I love the added perk that we get free maintenance for the first two years. The only problem is that the dealership has really slow, horrible service. I went in yesterday morning for a twenty minute fix up and left two hours later with a rental car and was late to get Karis at preschool. Thank God I had a friend who was able to pick her up but the plans for the rest of my day were ruined.
So, my week hasn't gotten off to a good start. I found myself thinking longingly back to last week and my diligence around the house. Now I am looking at a trashed house and I am feeling more behind than ever. But, the real truth of the matter is that in all of the above situations that started my week (with the exception of the day light's savings, there is no redemption there) I have a multitude of things to be thankful for.
- We have a new car. A brand new, beautiful car that fits all three kids in the back and gets great gas mileage. We are blessed.
- We haven't paid for an oil change in two years.
- As I was stuck in the itty bitty kid's playroom at the dealership yesterday morning, I got to hang out with Silas and learn more about his funny personality. He did great. Over an hour in that tiny room with a ball, a few puzzles and a bucket. We had a blast.
- I have a wonderful friend who is like a sister to me, who I can call (almost!) anytime and she will help me out. I am blessed.
- Amidst the chaos and the messy house, I have two kids who are growing up before my eyes. Karis asked (begged) to get her ears pierced today (because all the girls in her class are- preschool, really?!). The thought both scares and awes me. When did she get so grown up? Jesse took communion for the first time on Sunday and it was such a blessing to share that with him. Tonight he asked to pray before dinner and it was a very thoughtful prayer that showed how much God is working in his heart.
I have been grumbling a lot today. Something that Ann Voskamp has been teaching me is that when I allow the bitterness and complaining to win out over gratitude, I am missing the gifts that God has already given me, that he continues to give all the time. So, now at the close of the day, I stop and look and see that He is indeed in every moment. And I choose to be grateful.
Showing posts with label thanks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thanks. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Weekend Update
I am still here! I needed to take some intentional time to get my house back in order, it has been neglected for way too long! Monday and Tuesday mornings I purposefully stayed home and cleaned out the bedrooms upstairs, organized and changed sheets. I wanted to make it a point to make the beds as many days as possible this week- I cannot tell you how much this helped me de-stress! I have also been diligently plowing through laundry. It feels good to have accomplished something tangible this week!
I also have so much to be thankful for this week; I don't want to miss the opportunity to record it!
This passage has been a refrain in my heart this week:
We are in a period of waiting as we still have not heard back from our insurance company about Jesse's assessments. In that waiting, God has been revealing more things about Jesse that we definitely need to have checked out but I can also see how he is leading me by still waters. Yesterday, I had another opportunity to talk with the mother I talked to last week in the lunch room. Even though talking to her confirms for me more and more the issues we are facing with Jesse, it also gives me hope that I am not in this alone, that someone else gets my son. There has also been a presence of peace that pervades the anxiety that tends to creep up from time to time. Waiting is good for the soul in many ways. It helps me rely on my shepherd and makes me listen and watch for ways that he is always taking care of me.
For this time of waiting, I am thankful....
mothers who know
mothers who have been there
mothers who have paved the way
hope
a pastor willing to stay late and talk
a pastor/Shepherd willing to learn from mistakes
a car decision made
a church that values kids
communion talk with Jesse
that we get to share the Lord's supper with him for the first time on Sunday
hope from anger
the opportunity to walk the road of suffering with a friend
seeing our shepherd along the way
knowing that the road leads to Him
knowing the road brings him glory
blue eyes in my rear view mirror
the jibber jabber of little one, testing out his new vocabulary
good reports from a teacher
a teacher that prays for Jesse every morning during her devotions
the prayers of friends
still waters
the promise of broken souls restored
my own soul, restored
Thank you Jesus, my shepherd, brother and friend.
I also have so much to be thankful for this week; I don't want to miss the opportunity to record it!
This passage has been a refrain in my heart this week:
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his namesake."
Psalm 23: 1-3
We are in a period of waiting as we still have not heard back from our insurance company about Jesse's assessments. In that waiting, God has been revealing more things about Jesse that we definitely need to have checked out but I can also see how he is leading me by still waters. Yesterday, I had another opportunity to talk with the mother I talked to last week in the lunch room. Even though talking to her confirms for me more and more the issues we are facing with Jesse, it also gives me hope that I am not in this alone, that someone else gets my son. There has also been a presence of peace that pervades the anxiety that tends to creep up from time to time. Waiting is good for the soul in many ways. It helps me rely on my shepherd and makes me listen and watch for ways that he is always taking care of me.
For this time of waiting, I am thankful....
mothers who know
mothers who have been there
mothers who have paved the way
hope
a pastor willing to stay late and talk
a pastor/Shepherd willing to learn from mistakes
a car decision made
a church that values kids
communion talk with Jesse
that we get to share the Lord's supper with him for the first time on Sunday
hope from anger
the opportunity to walk the road of suffering with a friend
seeing our shepherd along the way
knowing that the road leads to Him
knowing the road brings him glory
blue eyes in my rear view mirror
the jibber jabber of little one, testing out his new vocabulary
good reports from a teacher
a teacher that prays for Jesse every morning during her devotions
the prayers of friends
still waters
the promise of broken souls restored
my own soul, restored
Thank you Jesus, my shepherd, brother and friend.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Thankful Thursday
"Behold I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land.
For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."
Genesis 28:15
Standing on His promises, I continue to give thanks...
a two hour delay, school back in session
a quiet start to the day, before the sun was up
a God of promise
a God who is present with me
a God who is consistent, faithful
little baby hands folded in prayer
heads bowed together
a little "amen" echoing the older ones
a husband who leads us to the Word
a promise to pass down from generation to generation
the work left in me
the promise to complete it
For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."
Genesis 28:15
Standing on His promises, I continue to give thanks...
a two hour delay, school back in session
a quiet start to the day, before the sun was up
a God of promise
a God who is present with me
a God who is consistent, faithful
little baby hands folded in prayer
heads bowed together
a little "amen" echoing the older ones
a husband who leads us to the Word
a promise to pass down from generation to generation
the work left in me
the promise to complete it
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Snowday Sanctification
I had great hopes for the morning as I went to bed last night.
I had crock pot oatmeal started, coffee maker on timer and my devotional book waiting on the kitchen table. I was going to wake up early, have a quiet time and get ready for the day, before the kids got up. I even had school clothes laid out for the two older ones.
I was in bed by 10:30, alarm set.
As it turns out, Matt's pager went off a bazillion times last night (note: please do not call your doctor in the middle of the night, or at 5:00am, unless you are dying, thanks).
Silas woke up at 3:30 and I ended up rocking him back to sleep and then the phone rang at 5:30, which only means one thing: school is cancelled.
I swear I could hear the proverbial scream of all mothers as the phone call went through the Lehigh Valley in the wee hours of the morning.
Jesse crawled into our bed a little after 6:00.
Game over.
I was tired; I was crabby; I was not expecting the day to start like this.
Instead of starting off in quiet and peace, chaos ruled.
It was only 10:30 when I texted a friend, "Just shoot me now."
She texted back, "I just keep chanting to myself: I am thankful. God has to be teaching me something. I can't believe this is a sick joke!"
Thanks. Ah yes, I needed that reminder.
How do I find the joy in a day not going how I planned? I would have such a better attitude if I would have been able to have that quiet time!
How do I hear God in the LOUD "Mamamamamamamamamama's" and fighting kids and barking dog (yes, even the dog is bored!) and "What am I supposed to do's"?
How do I see God here and now in the mess of a house that I can't seem to keep straight?
Thanks.
Gratitude reminds me that even when the circumstances don't change, my eyesight can.
I can see God through giving thanks.
So, I stop. And I sit. And I thank.
Baby Einstein (I could kiss Julie Clark, really)
"Mom, she's trying to kiss me again!"
These feet
I had crock pot oatmeal started, coffee maker on timer and my devotional book waiting on the kitchen table. I was going to wake up early, have a quiet time and get ready for the day, before the kids got up. I even had school clothes laid out for the two older ones.
I was in bed by 10:30, alarm set.
As it turns out, Matt's pager went off a bazillion times last night (note: please do not call your doctor in the middle of the night, or at 5:00am, unless you are dying, thanks).
Silas woke up at 3:30 and I ended up rocking him back to sleep and then the phone rang at 5:30, which only means one thing: school is cancelled.
I swear I could hear the proverbial scream of all mothers as the phone call went through the Lehigh Valley in the wee hours of the morning.
Jesse crawled into our bed a little after 6:00.
Game over.
I was tired; I was crabby; I was not expecting the day to start like this.
Instead of starting off in quiet and peace, chaos ruled.
It was only 10:30 when I texted a friend, "Just shoot me now."
She texted back, "I just keep chanting to myself: I am thankful. God has to be teaching me something. I can't believe this is a sick joke!"
Thanks. Ah yes, I needed that reminder.
How do I find the joy in a day not going how I planned? I would have such a better attitude if I would have been able to have that quiet time!
How do I hear God in the LOUD "Mamamamamamamamamama's" and fighting kids and barking dog (yes, even the dog is bored!) and "What am I supposed to do's"?
How do I see God here and now in the mess of a house that I can't seem to keep straight?
Thanks.
Gratitude reminds me that even when the circumstances don't change, my eyesight can.
I can see God through giving thanks.
So, I stop. And I sit. And I thank.
Baby Einstein (I could kiss Julie Clark, really)
"Mom, she's trying to kiss me again!"
These feet
This face
This little monkey
A friend to reach out to
A nap for the little one
My Jedi in training
Her ability to entertain herself
I'm sorry. I forgive you.
Cuddles
Doritos and Diet Coke
That He got me to 1:00
I am hoping that you are seeing God today, whatever your mess.
It doesn't matter if it's the right blog day, will you join me in giving thanks in the comments below?
It will change everything.
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