Giving Thanks

Every year, once a year, we pause to give thanks for the many things (tangible and intangible) we have been given.

This is about as stupid as saying “Thank you” once a year to every single person who has crossed your path and done something for you. Does this make sense to anyone?

Now, I am guilty of taking advantage of His divine blessings on my life even when I know I didn’t deserve it. But Sunday, we were taught that thanksgiving begins with worship. (Pause for a moment and think about it. Makes ya think, huh?) Worship is, in my definition, revered adoration and honor to a diety, a supreme being, God. So if thanksgiving begins with worship, then how do I display this?

My pastor pointed out a great example on Sunday: whenever God did something for the children of Israel, they would stop, set up a memorial and write a song. The song was one of thanksgiving, adoration, praise and worship to God for what He had done. They were publically acknowledging the blessing they had received.

Now, if we were stop for everything that God did for us, how often would that be? Probably every second of the day we would be doing this. It’s not that we’re not grateful; it’s that we don’t thank Him as often as we should.

So here’s a small sampling of my thanks:

Thank You for:

• my health
• my family and their health
• our jobs, home, cars, and finances
• waking us up to a new day so far
• safety when we travel to work, to home, to visit family
• Your unfailing love, grace, mercy and patience

I hope to pass onto our daughter (and any other children that are to come) what it means to be thankful and that thanking God for everything we have isn’t a chore or a bother – it’s what we should be doing every second of every day.

 

So Proud

There are, I’m sure, lots of moments in a marriage when you are proud of each other. For example, a promotion, a new baby, your first house, etc. In these moments, there are tears of joy, an overwhelming feeling of happiness, a smile so big and wide it’ll take a seriously depressing moment to wipe it from your face.

I have experienced such moments in our marriage. Going on six years, those moments have been aplenty.

And although I’m quick to offer or receive congratulations, I’m also quickly reminded of why the moment has come about and who I am to be praising. “Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours.” 1 Corinthians 3:21.

So while I am proud of these moments, while I may momentarily brag about them, while I may even accept congratulations from others, I need to remember who made all this possible and boast, be proud, of the things He has chosen to bless us with.

You have been blessed to bless others.

 

Saturday

Our Saturdays are usually taken up with some sort of activity(ies). Rarely are they quiet.

Today, is quiet.

 

 

 

 

 

I’m currently sitting on the floor of my in-laws as I type this. The house is empty; everyone’s gone out to do some shopping and errands. The only sound heard is the dryer going; the clanging of a button from a pair of jeans as it tumbles around.

 

 

 

I enjoy quiet moments, quiet Saturdays, especially when I have a chance to enjoy it alone. Those moments are few and far between. I’m thankful for these quiet moments; they give me a chance to sit and relax and find my calm. I don’t mind when they end though; my family comes back, the noise begins again, life returns to normal.

Quiet is my balance to my normally noisy, busy life.

 

Checkup

Today was Ella’s 2-year well-child checkup at Kaiser, so here are her stats:

- 27 lbs

- 34 inches tall

- 18.75 inches head circumference

- Hepatitis A and flu shots

She can speak in complete sentences (for the most part) and can argue her point when she wants to (which is absolutely hilarious to listen to). As of a few days ago, she has been waking up with dry diapers in the morning. This is HUGE in the whole potty-training process; she’s learning to hold her pee through the night!

Her oddest accomplishment is she counts by twos but understands where the odd number are supposed to go. Why she doesn’t say them, I have no idea! However, she can count past 10, if you count with her, I think to 14 or 15.

She’s stubborn, headstrong, and has developed selective hearing. She has picked her own outfits with sometimes questionable/hilarious results, but it’s ok ’cause creativity is allowed.

She can identify some colors, some shapes, some animals and their sounds. She knows our first names (which aren’t “Mom” and “Dad”, lol) and knows she and I are girls and daddy’s a boy. She knows the color of one of our cars, knows what flip-flops and boots are, and can turn the TV off if she’s done.

She pretty well-behaved for a 2-year-old, but she has her moments and they tend to be big so she’s definitely not perfect.

She’s her own person, a little human walking and talking, created by God and gifted to us.

 

Connecting

Every now and then, someone comes your way that you feel at home with, feel comfortable with, feel like you’ve known them longer then you actually have.

In our case, it’s two someones. They are the most beautiful couple ever and it’s such a pleasure to be a part of their lives. They have no children (yet!) and are relatively newlyweds compared to us, but they are such a blessing to be around.

We hope to spend more intentional time with them. The holidays are always hectic for everyone so that might be a little difficult. But dinner maybe???

Anyway, we’ll connect soon!