At the encouragement of our priest's homily, I wanted to dedicate some time today to praising God in gratitude. Since so much of my blessings are found in you all, I wanted to share just how important and grateful I am for each and everyone of you.
1. God's love. I am so grateful for God's love. The blessing that I have known it in my heart and in my life since I was born. That my parents let it flow thru them and raise me surrounded by it. That I have been so fortunate as to be able to afford to send my children to a school that reinforces God's love everyday by word and action.
2. My health and safety. I am so grateful that I am in good health (for a 40 year old :-)). Even though I have had several health issues - none are life threatening - none require expensive or unavailable cures - none leave me unable to care for myself or my family. WOW how blessed I am.
3. David. No matter the imperfections or the mistakes, I am grateful to know and love my husband. I am so appreciative to his joyful committment to provide for us. And eternally grateful to his dedication to God and his newfound faith. I am in constant adoration of his amazing work ethic and his willingness to work non-stop for what he believes in.
4. Aley. God's miracle to me. I ditched my Lord during my teens and my actions reflected it. God gave me the most perfect consequence - a miracle to bring me back to him. Aley is the wisest person I have ever met. She sees the truth in everyone and every situation. So often her heart is broken as a result but she forgives without hesitation. My miracle and my hero.
5. Garrett. How blessed I am to have been given the opportunity to know, love and learn from Garrett. He is the purest soul I have ever met. Pure happiness. Pure love. How grateful that I am everyday for God planting the seed of adoption in my heart and providing me the means and passion to follow His call. I am forever grateful.
6. My employeer. I am so grateful to be employeed and to be fairly paid and treated at my work. In today's economy, it is truly a blessing. I am so grateful that the folks I work with on a day to day basis are kind and considerate and understanding of my priorities to God and family prior to work.
7. My parents. Because even at 40 - a parents love is irreplaceable! I am so incredibly grateful to have 2 mothers to guide me in a Godly woman's role as a wife and mother! Both in their most special way always let me know that I am loved and respected even when I act more like a child than an adult! And 2 fathers who show me daily how to joyfully and honestly be productive with an amazing work ethic! Both in very different but perfect ways let me know that they would stop the world for me if there is anything I need.
8. My sisters and brothers. WOW! I am so lucky. My sisters who knew me in my worst of times and they still love me. And my newest sister, I could not have asked for kinder one. I am so appreciative of the fact that my "in-laws" know no boundary of blood or marriage, and love me and treat me as though I had been their sister all their lives. Most importantly I am so appreciative that all my siblings are God fearing, family oriented, loving and forgiving "good" people.
9. My cousins, Aunts and Uncles. The older I get the more I realize how vital and wonderful my extended family are. I am just overwhelmed and amazed how wonderful my families have been to me. No matter if they live here or in Illinois or Pennsylvania, no matter if their words of encouragement come in a hug, a letter or a facebook message - I am so appreciative of their constant love.
10. My friends. I am just so grateful for their love, laughter and memories. Most of my friends I have known for decades. I am so blessed to have them stick with me no matter what!
11. My Country. As annoyed as I am with a lack of conservative direction in our government - I am so happy that the government choice is that that my fellow countrymen elected. After spending time in other countries, I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to grow up in the best country and receive all the best advantages.
12. I am realizing that I could go on and on and on. I truly am blessed. I am so happy that Father prodded me to do this and take the last 2 days to really get goosebumps over all that God has bestowed on me. I know I so often don't express this and so often (daily!!!!!!) forget all of these blessings and act as though I have been shafted or a victim. I am truly moved to tears right now realizing how childish and foolish I have been to not see the truest blessing amist the smallest trivial frustrations that I often let take over.
I am so grateful to you all! I hope you take a few minutes to reflect on the blessings that you have :-)
Keep me, God, for in You I take refuge.
