Thanksgiving

I have truly been blessed throughout my life but this year I find myself feeling a different level of thankfulness. Some of the things on my list this holiday season:

• I am so grateful that our God is a relational God and that He provides me with hope every day. I love that He gives us purpose beyond the realm of what we can dream and that I can look forward to a day when the evils of this world will pass away and I can worship Him face to face.
• I have been blessed with two beautiful sons. I am thankful that God provided adoption as an option so that they could grow up with the love of a mother. I am thankful that they are home and I know they are being cared for. I’m thankful for their smiles and their laughs and for the joy they find in every new encounter. I’m thankful for the numerous hugs and kisses that I receive throughout the course of the day.
• I am blessed with two wonderful parents and I’m grateful that I’ve grown up with their model of love. It has been fun watching them become grandparents. My mom has dedicated her retired life to teaching my children and providing them a safe environment to learn and grow and I know they could not be in any better hands while I am away.
• I am thankful for holidays and special times to celebrate all that God has done for us. I am excited about starting traditions with my family and seeing the boy’s eyes light up as they encounter the joy of Christmas for the first time. I’m thankful that I was able to spend today decorating for Christmas with my sons.
• I am thankful for clean water and ample food, a comfortable home filled with more entertainment than I could possibly ever need and a warm bed to sleep in at night.
• I am grateful for a wonderful job that has enabled me to ease into this parenting gig and has provided my opportunities to do something I love.
• I am thankful for the numerous friends and family that have supported me with prayers and encouragement throughout the past year as I waited sometimes with not very much patience for my family to be together.
• I am grateful for my church family and the ability to worship there freely every Sunday. I am thankful for our outreach team and the support and enthusiasm that is behind us as we attempt to touch the lives of others.
• I am thankful for missionaries and other ministries around the world that are on the front lines fighting daily battles in an effort to share God’s love to those that need Him desperately. I am likewise thankful for those that dedicate their lives to helping the least of these.