Thursday, November 8, 2012
30 Days of Thankfulness--Day 8
Today, I am thankful for the sun. I think I feel it more today than usual because I have not seen it for awhile, and I miss it. I love natural light. It makes me feel good. And the sun coming up in the morning is always a sign to me that God sees fit to give me one more day to serve Him, or at least one more chance. Thank you, God, for second (and third, fourth, fifth, one-millionth) chances.
30 Days of Thankfulness--Day 7
On day 6, I talked about being thankful for my freedom. Day 7, I thank the men and women who fought to ensure my freedom.
THANK YOU to all the men and women who have ever served in our armed forces, and thank you also to their spouses and loved ones. That is the biggest font this blog will let me write, or it would be bigger. Even then, it could not convey the gratitude I have. Thank you to all of you.
THANK YOU to all the men and women who have ever served in our armed forces, and thank you also to their spouses and loved ones. That is the biggest font this blog will let me write, or it would be bigger. Even then, it could not convey the gratitude I have. Thank you to all of you.
30 Days of Thankfulness--Day 6
(Still playing catch-up!)
Today I am thankful for my country. Having spent some time in a former communist country, I've gotten a look at what it might be like to not have the freedoms I enjoy. Most of all, I'm thankful that I get a say in who governs my country. I might not always get what I want, but I get a voice. What I think matters. And if I don't like what's going on, I have the right to say something about it. I have the freedom to attend the church I choose, or even whether to attend at all. I have the freedom to earn money and to spend it however I choose. There are many things I take for granted in my life, but I hope my freedom is never on that list.
Today I am thankful for my country. Having spent some time in a former communist country, I've gotten a look at what it might be like to not have the freedoms I enjoy. Most of all, I'm thankful that I get a say in who governs my country. I might not always get what I want, but I get a voice. What I think matters. And if I don't like what's going on, I have the right to say something about it. I have the freedom to attend the church I choose, or even whether to attend at all. I have the freedom to earn money and to spend it however I choose. There are many things I take for granted in my life, but I hope my freedom is never on that list.
30 Days of Thankfulness--Day 5
(Yes, I know it is November 8th today. Busy times, you know.)
I am thankful for everyday miracles. Sometimes they're biggish--I look at Peanut every day and think, Wow, I grew her! For, like, a year and a half! Women's bodies are AMAZING! And sometimes they're so tiny they're easy to miss, like getting three children out the door and to church on time by myself. Or two babies taking a nap at the same time. I'm thankful for every one of them.
I am thankful for everyday miracles. Sometimes they're biggish--I look at Peanut every day and think, Wow, I grew her! For, like, a year and a half! Women's bodies are AMAZING! And sometimes they're so tiny they're easy to miss, like getting three children out the door and to church on time by myself. Or two babies taking a nap at the same time. I'm thankful for every one of them.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
30 Days of Thankfulness--Day 4
Today it's my kids' turn. (It's a short post, but don't let that make you think that I'm any less thankful for them.)
I am thankful for my children. Believe it or not, when other parts of my life get crazy, they keep me sane. They're a great cure for self-centeredness--they need me to take care of them, so it really can't always be about me. They are so loving. They are eternally forgiving. They are generous (which has been demonstrated recently by Nathaniel and Sophia offering me some of their Halloween candy). They are eager to please, most of the time. They make me want to be worthy of all their love, generosity, and forgiveness, so in that they help me honor God. I am so thankful that He saw fit to entrust me with their care.
I am thankful for my children. Believe it or not, when other parts of my life get crazy, they keep me sane. They're a great cure for self-centeredness--they need me to take care of them, so it really can't always be about me. They are so loving. They are eternally forgiving. They are generous (which has been demonstrated recently by Nathaniel and Sophia offering me some of their Halloween candy). They are eager to please, most of the time. They make me want to be worthy of all their love, generosity, and forgiveness, so in that they help me honor God. I am so thankful that He saw fit to entrust me with their care.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
30 Days of Thankfulness--Day 3
Days 1 and 2 of November have made me very grateful for the star of Day 3: my husband.
It's been a rough month or two for me. Despite the fact that I don't have a "real job", I am stressed out daily. I've also been having what I think are meds issues, which just exacerbates the stress. Then yesterday was one of those days that comes straight from the pit of hell. I honestly don't know how much more of this I can take.
Enter my husband. He works long hours at two low-paying jobs so that I can stay home and raise our kids. Surprisingly (maybe, since I worked in a daycare for so long), I'm not a big fan of daycare for babies and toddlers. I am very, very glad that high-quality early childhood programs (like the one I had the privelege of working in) exist for the families that need them. However, I'm glad our family doesn't, that I can stay home so we can raise our kids ourselves. And not only does Matt work long hours, sometimes putting in a nine-hour shift just before going to work an eight-hour overnight at his other job, he helps me with the kids during the day, which is a huge bonus for everyone. He never makes me feel bad for not working outside the home, not always keeping up with the housework, or needing help during the day with the kids, even though I feel pretty lazy pretty often. And when days like yesterday come along, he lets me pour my heart out and just listens (even if it's only just listening to me cry), which is usually just what I need. He takes care of me. And he doesn't hold it against me when I gripe at him for getting too involved in Packers games. :)
I am so thankful for my husband. Thank you, God, for giving us to each other. I think it was an unlikely pairing to a lot of people, but he is exactly what I need.
It's been a rough month or two for me. Despite the fact that I don't have a "real job", I am stressed out daily. I've also been having what I think are meds issues, which just exacerbates the stress. Then yesterday was one of those days that comes straight from the pit of hell. I honestly don't know how much more of this I can take.
Enter my husband. He works long hours at two low-paying jobs so that I can stay home and raise our kids. Surprisingly (maybe, since I worked in a daycare for so long), I'm not a big fan of daycare for babies and toddlers. I am very, very glad that high-quality early childhood programs (like the one I had the privelege of working in) exist for the families that need them. However, I'm glad our family doesn't, that I can stay home so we can raise our kids ourselves. And not only does Matt work long hours, sometimes putting in a nine-hour shift just before going to work an eight-hour overnight at his other job, he helps me with the kids during the day, which is a huge bonus for everyone. He never makes me feel bad for not working outside the home, not always keeping up with the housework, or needing help during the day with the kids, even though I feel pretty lazy pretty often. And when days like yesterday come along, he lets me pour my heart out and just listens (even if it's only just listening to me cry), which is usually just what I need. He takes care of me. And he doesn't hold it against me when I gripe at him for getting too involved in Packers games. :)
I am so thankful for my husband. Thank you, God, for giving us to each other. I think it was an unlikely pairing to a lot of people, but he is exactly what I need.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
30 Days of Thankfulness--Days 1 and 2
Today, while hanging out on Facebook, I noticed a trend starting. Several people are taking the time each day in the month of November to name one thing for which they are thankful. Seems like a pretty good idea. I could use a reality check right now--my life does not suck, no matter what my mood and brain chemicals are telling me. But, since it is nearing midnight on November 1st, I will combine days 1 and 2.
So, since I'm combining the first two days together, let's start at the very beginning. (I hear it's a very good place to start.)
I am thankful for my mom and my dad.
Let's start separately (and in no particular order--they both know that I love them the most, so it doesn't matter who goes first). My mom is my best friend. Sorry, Matt, but it's true. She's known me the longest, and she knows me the best. She's known me at my best. And at my very worst. And she still puts up with my kids every Sunday. (That's love for you.) I admire my mom so much. She is one of the strongest, most courageous women I know, and she has no idea how strong and courageous she actually is. I can't claim to know exactly what her life has been like, since I haven't lived it, but what I see is adherence to God's wisdom and His commandments and rejection of what the world apart from God calls wise. I am so thankful that God gave us to each other.
My dad has also seen me at my best and my worst. The lone man, drifting on a life raft in the sea of estrogen that was our house in the '90s. I don't know how we managed to stay close after my teen years, but we did. He is always in my corner. We like hanging out together. We have traditions. I think the world of him. He is also one of the bravest people I know. (There are two kinds of bravery, by the way, if you've never noticed. There is bravery in the face of the unknown, and there is the kind of bravery that is shown by knowing exactly what you'll be facing and choosing to face it anyway.) I am so thankful that God gave us to each other.
Together, my parents are the ultimate example of commitment in a marriage, and an example of how two very different people can grow together as a result of a commitment like that. Imperfect though it may be, like anyone else's, their marriage is what I look to as an example of how God blesses commitment between a husband and wife. I am very thankful for that example.
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And so begins my month-long discovery of my blessings. I call it a discovery and not an acknowledgment because it's been so long since I've thought about my blessings that I couldn't find them right away when I needed them, so now I have to go looking for them again. So we'll see what we can find.
(And if any of you out there are gasping in horror and thinking, "Why isn't she thankful for God in her life?!" just because I didn't list Him on Day 1, don't worry. I didn't forget. I've got something in mind.)
What are you thankful for today?
So, since I'm combining the first two days together, let's start at the very beginning. (I hear it's a very good place to start.)
I am thankful for my mom and my dad.
Let's start separately (and in no particular order--they both know that I love them the most, so it doesn't matter who goes first). My mom is my best friend. Sorry, Matt, but it's true. She's known me the longest, and she knows me the best. She's known me at my best. And at my very worst. And she still puts up with my kids every Sunday. (That's love for you.) I admire my mom so much. She is one of the strongest, most courageous women I know, and she has no idea how strong and courageous she actually is. I can't claim to know exactly what her life has been like, since I haven't lived it, but what I see is adherence to God's wisdom and His commandments and rejection of what the world apart from God calls wise. I am so thankful that God gave us to each other.
My dad has also seen me at my best and my worst. The lone man, drifting on a life raft in the sea of estrogen that was our house in the '90s. I don't know how we managed to stay close after my teen years, but we did. He is always in my corner. We like hanging out together. We have traditions. I think the world of him. He is also one of the bravest people I know. (There are two kinds of bravery, by the way, if you've never noticed. There is bravery in the face of the unknown, and there is the kind of bravery that is shown by knowing exactly what you'll be facing and choosing to face it anyway.) I am so thankful that God gave us to each other.
Together, my parents are the ultimate example of commitment in a marriage, and an example of how two very different people can grow together as a result of a commitment like that. Imperfect though it may be, like anyone else's, their marriage is what I look to as an example of how God blesses commitment between a husband and wife. I am very thankful for that example.
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And so begins my month-long discovery of my blessings. I call it a discovery and not an acknowledgment because it's been so long since I've thought about my blessings that I couldn't find them right away when I needed them, so now I have to go looking for them again. So we'll see what we can find.
(And if any of you out there are gasping in horror and thinking, "Why isn't she thankful for God in her life?!" just because I didn't list Him on Day 1, don't worry. I didn't forget. I've got something in mind.)
What are you thankful for today?
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