I don't say "thank you" enough.
I spent the better part of this week with my sister and her adorable child. We drove out to visit my grandmother, who boasts 97 years this month. She, though weak and tired, still has so much vitality and joy to share, and she gave it so indiscriminately to us this weekend. I got to see her chase after her rambunctious great-granddaughter and share laughs with her over the toddler's antics.
I am so thankful for that time.
I have two very good legs, which I used this week to take several long walks. Stepping out into the fresh air; using my healthy lungs to smell the flowers; seeing the fruit trees in bloom. I felt the stillness of the forest on a hillside in Missouri. Birds chirped and cavorted in the warm spring sunlight.
I have a loving husband who works hard and selflessly so that we can thrive. He supports and encourages me even when I struggle to write, and points me to Christ when I struggle to see my own worth.
I have a (massive) family and a home full of light. We love and care for one another, and we encourage each other in our love of Jesus.
I realized this week how little I actually thank God for the many blessings He has given me. I spent so much of the year 2017 striving and working; I watched my family and many friends get hurt, and I was hurt too. I saw only the terrible things that happened, and I did not dwell on the beauty and richness present even in the midst of the hard circumstances. God's grace was constant, even though we struggled to see it.
God continues to give ever so bountifully, and when I look around I see the beautiful, intricate ways He has met and exceeded my every need. I am slowly relearning how to see these gifts. I am slowly remembering to say "thank you" with my whole heart. I am slowly removing the layers of bitterness I grew to protect my heart, and instead I'm slowly opening my heart to rejoice in Him again.
It is a slow process, and I cannot will for the work to be done in and of myself. There is no power of positive thinking that will erase the painful memories and patterns of bitter thought. I can only rely on His work in my heart, that He will open my eyes to His grace, enable me to confess my selfishness and disbelief, and open my heart to remember and rejoice in the work of His Son and His Spirit in my life.
I spent the better part of this week with my sister and her adorable child. We drove out to visit my grandmother, who boasts 97 years this month. She, though weak and tired, still has so much vitality and joy to share, and she gave it so indiscriminately to us this weekend. I got to see her chase after her rambunctious great-granddaughter and share laughs with her over the toddler's antics.
I am so thankful for that time.
I have two very good legs, which I used this week to take several long walks. Stepping out into the fresh air; using my healthy lungs to smell the flowers; seeing the fruit trees in bloom. I felt the stillness of the forest on a hillside in Missouri. Birds chirped and cavorted in the warm spring sunlight.I have a loving husband who works hard and selflessly so that we can thrive. He supports and encourages me even when I struggle to write, and points me to Christ when I struggle to see my own worth.
I have a (massive) family and a home full of light. We love and care for one another, and we encourage each other in our love of Jesus.
I realized this week how little I actually thank God for the many blessings He has given me. I spent so much of the year 2017 striving and working; I watched my family and many friends get hurt, and I was hurt too. I saw only the terrible things that happened, and I did not dwell on the beauty and richness present even in the midst of the hard circumstances. God's grace was constant, even though we struggled to see it.
God continues to give ever so bountifully, and when I look around I see the beautiful, intricate ways He has met and exceeded my every need. I am slowly relearning how to see these gifts. I am slowly remembering to say "thank you" with my whole heart. I am slowly removing the layers of bitterness I grew to protect my heart, and instead I'm slowly opening my heart to rejoice in Him again.
It is a slow process, and I cannot will for the work to be done in and of myself. There is no power of positive thinking that will erase the painful memories and patterns of bitter thought. I can only rely on His work in my heart, that He will open my eyes to His grace, enable me to confess my selfishness and disbelief, and open my heart to remember and rejoice in the work of His Son and His Spirit in my life.
"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." ~~ Colossians 3:15-17
No comments:
Post a Comment