 Now that the hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving is over, I thought I would take some time to reflect on the things for which I am truly thankful. The warm summer days I love so much are gone for now and I find myself feeling a bit unsettled. My favorite hobby, gardening, is becoming a memory for 2016 and I know to feel balanced, I need to find some interests that are just for me. We as mothers spend so much effort caring for our families and others in our lives, but when we care for ourselves, we have energy left over to put into those around us. So, until I figure out a hobby to get me through the winter, I’ve put away all the Thanksgiving decorations. Well, I should say some of them I’m actually eating. Let me explain…I don’t like to waste money on useless things, so my table decorations were actual small squash, pomegranates, and lemons. The extra tables and seating for our turkey meal guests have all been dismantled and put into storage. After our Thanksgiving meal, my “boys” (husband and two sons) left to go hunting eight hours away and so for a few days, I have kept busy putting out Christmas decorations.  As I hung the stockings on the fireplace, my heart overflowed with the awareness that all of my children are still here. Not one of them has been taken. God continues to protect each one. I’m also thankful for the many trials of life because it is through them that I learn to trust in my Father more and more each day. As a mother, I think the most difficult trials are ones in which we see our children suffer. Our hearts break for them because that motherly instinct of soothing their hurts falls short so often; we find over the years that God alone must heal them. I’m thankful for my husband who continues to love me through all my ups and downs. I’m thankful for the circle of life, of seeing new little babies in our extended family at Thanksgiving and gratefulness for the old souls who have remained in our presence. I’m thankful that my heart aches at the still painful loss of my dear friend this year; it’s my heart’s reminder that I have the capacity to love so deeply. I’m thankful for a home where we are sheltered from the cold wind, but I hold loosely to these temporary things and would happily give them up if it would glorify my God.
As I look forward to Christmas, I’m thankful for God’s unconditional love that He loved me in my wretchedness to send His Only Son for me and for YOU! I’m thankful that God pursues me fiercely and always makes me feel like I have value and I matter to Him. I’m thankful that I can find rest in knowing He has a plan for me even when I cannot see that myself. How many things on my list are on your Thankfulness list? Are you finding it hard to be thankful because of your circumstances? Have eyes, Mama, to look beyond the heartache and see that you are very blessed indeed.
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