Today...

#915 aunt who loves-me-and-don't-forget-it! ;)
#916 flowers from a friend...just because
#917 text from my "quirky" Mom - celebrating a day early
#918 art projects
#919 ancient words...words of life, words of hope, give us strength, help us cope...
#920 kids that make me laugh everyday - the things they think of!
#921 coffee with friends

somedays...

somedays it's just too hard to be thankful...

somedays it's just easier to be discouraged...

to lose hope...

to lose sight of God...

what purpose He could possibly have in the midst of this messy life...

so that's when the roots dig deeper...

out of desperation...

"I know the Lord is always with me.  I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.  No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.  My body rests in safety...You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever." - Psalm 16:8-9, 11

"I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.  Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him.  Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong." - Ephesians 3:16-17

#904 refreshed by God's Word - reminder to be thankful
#905 hugs - from a friend; from my kids, arms wrapped around tight
#906 soft scarf
#907 change of seasons
#908 lil' miss - that little voice & those facial expressions kill me!  hilarious...
#909 reading w/ the kids - sandwiched in under the covers
#910 relief from headache & a good night's sleep
#911 diet Pepsi ;)
#912 my job!
#913 clean counters & the husband who cleared them
#914 folded laundry

counting still...

#896 wearing jeans
#897 football game, surrounded by friends
#898 sand plum jelly
#899 jarred honey
#900 working in the kitchen with my girls
#901 kites
#902 warm blanket on a cold day, watching Jane Austen
#903 Noah completely engulfed in reading

#892 studying Scripture together - refreshed & renewed
#893 emails :)
#894 Jesus Calling- "When your life feels increasingly out of control, thank me...these are supernatural responses, and they can lift you up above your circumstances...affirm your trust in ME, regardless of how you feel...thank me for everything!" (Ephesians 5:20)
#895 free meat & beef enchiladas

Suffering...with JOY

 

"So you received the message with JOY from the Holy Spirit

in spite of the severe suffering it brought you." 1 Thessalonians 1:6

 

I read this post recently and it resonated with me.  Often I brush off what I'm going through because "it could be worse" or "it's nothing compared to...". 

 

Because I've never gone hungry.  I've never gone without.  I've never been in need.  I've never been persecuted because of my faith.  I've never been abused or neglected.  I've never really suffered.

 

Or have I?  My today problems may not be those of the third world, but they are real.  To me.  And they are real.  To God. 

 

He sees.  He knows.

 

When I am lonely.  When I am hurting.  When life doesn't make sense.  When the pain becomes overwhelming.  When there is no solution in sight.  When hope seems illusive.

 

"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  And endurance develops strength of character, and characted strengthens our confident hope of salvation.  And this hope will not lead to disappointment.  For we know how dearly God loves us, for he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." - Romans 5:3-5

 

#886 cool, crisp Fall mornings

#887 almost done! crazy, busy day - thank you, God, for strength moment by moment

#888 All the way my Savior leads me...grace for every trial (Chris Tomlin)

#889 "help" with my craft :)

#890 kids singing in the backseat on the drive home

#891 supper @ church - LOVE Wednesdays!!

Counting...

It's been fun to look back through my "gifts". 

I'm thankful for coffee.  A lot.

I started with the small things...

#8 sunrise
#19 clean sheets
#48 brown eyes
#139 pillow talk & inside jokes

and learned to thank for the hard things...

#222 broken tooth - God will provide
#374 learning to trust
#439 comfort of a friend
#505 headache - taking it slow

the everyday...

#516 homework - an "excuse" to snuggle on the couch
#547 clean counters
#619 sibling laughter
#634 finished projects
#657 Saturday chores & music cranked up LOUD

truths to live by...

#680 God delights in showing his unfailing love (Micah 7:18)
#730 Psalm 100 - shout with JOY...for the Lord is GOOD
#741 Romans 8:39 - nothing can separate me from God's love
#791 Psalm 46:1 - my refuge, a place to run when my world is crumbling

today...

#879 coffee.  and creamer.
#880 a new day - Lamentations 3:23
#881 trusting in the midst of what I am powerless to change
#882 time to spare on a busy morning
#883 studying for History & listening to stories
#884 boys soccer practice
#885 simple suppers

31 days of JOY...

I recently bought this book. 

Between soccer practices, floors sticky with propolis, math homework, what-to-make-for-supper, overflowing laundry hampers, piles, piles, and more piles...

I often feel like I'm coming unglued. 

And the things that shouldn't...easily set me off.  And the joy that is found in the quiet of the morning...dissipates quickly. 

Sometimes it's hard to hang onto the JOY in the crazy moments.  When expectations are unmet.  When everything seems to go wrong.  When the pressure mounts.  When it all becomes too overwhelming. 

So I'm counting gifts.  Abbie keeps asking if I've made it to #999 yet.  She wants to write down #1000.  I have to admit I'm a little curious about what she wants to write down.  But I'm also selfish.  I'm not sure I want to give up the "crowning moment" of #1000.  I've been working hard, after all, to walk this road of "thankfulness". 

Silly, isn't it?  It's been a journey of "letting go" and "leaning in" to God.  And yet I can't give ONE of the one THOUSAND to my daughter?  Yep.  She gets #1000.  Maybe that might begin a counting of her own...

Anyway.  I digress.

This month I turn 37.  This month we celebrate 15 years of marriage.  This month has been a battle.  And we're only on day TWO. 

So I want to count.  And I need to be challenged.  To cling to JOY.  To cling to God's best.  To cling to a deeper knowing...and being known.